Around Town

Council to Consider Rules for Airbnb & Other Short Term Rentals at Upcoming Meeting

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Watertown City Hall

The Watertown City Council will hold a public hearing on Jan. 25 to discuss regulations for short-term home rentals, such as Airbnb and Vrbo. Currently, such rentals are not allowed in Watertown, but dozens are listed on the Airbnb site. The Council has held multiple meetings over the past few years about short-term rentals, and in June 2021 they recommended that the Planning Board support a set of rules for short-term rentals. The Planning Board considered the rules and sent them back to the Council for final approval.

City Council

Residents Share the Qualities They Want in Next City Manager, Consultant Outlines Process

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Watertown City Hall

Residents shared a long list of qualities and qualifications they would like to see in Watertown’s next City Manager during a community forum hosted by the City Council and the manager search firm. The focus was getting input from residents during the Ad Hoc Committee on the Town Manager Search forum on Wednesday, which lasted more than 90 minutes. Residents also got a chance to pose questions about the search process to Bernie Lynch of Community Paradigm Associates. During the forum, Lynch said he expects the Watertown City Manager position will get a lot of interest from qualified candidates. Qualities and Qualifications

A variety of qualifications were suggested by participants, including having strong financial management experience, good communication skills, and being a good manager of department heads and employees.

Government

Six Residents Sought to Serve on Watertown’s New Solid Waste & Recycling Committee

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Watertown DPW

The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

City Manager Michael J. Driscoll is seeking six (6) Watertown citizens interested in serving onthe Solid Waste and Recycling Advisory Committee. The Honorable City Council adopted Resolution 2022-01, a Resolution to Establish a Solid Waste and Recycling Advisory Committee at their January 11, 2022 meeting. The City of Watertown has established a Solid Waste and Recycling Advisory Committee in response to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s aggressive goals of the Commonwealth’s Solid Waste Master Plan to reduce disposal statewide by 30 percent from 2020 to 2030, and sets a long-term goal of achieving a 90 percent reduction in disposal statewide by 2050. The Committee’s responsibilities are defined as follows:

a. Research and make recommendations relating to recycling and reduction of solid wasteso that Watertown can meet the Commonwealth’s Solid Waste Master Plan milestones. b. Develop and engage in communication, education, and community outreach to increasepublic awareness for recycling and reduction of solid waste, including Watertown PublicSchools, the Farmers Market, Faire in the Square, and other venues.

Around Town

Council Wants to Start Moxley Courts Project Soon, Worried Neighbors May Oppose Street Hockey Rink

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CDM SmithA drawing of the proposed layout for the courts and a street hockey rink at Moxley Field. The City Council discussed plans to renovate the courts at Moxley Field, but one feature — a street hockey rink — caused concerns among the Councilors. The City’s goal is to complete the work by the fall of 2022, before the rest of Moxley Field goes under construction to be the temporary home of Watertown High School while the new school is built.

Planning for the courts began a few years ago, said Glenn Howard of CDM Smith, who made a presentation to the Council in November 2017. The idea of replacing one of the tennis courts with a street hockey court —‚ which could also be used for soccer, lacrosse or other sports — came up then. A public walk through of the site occurred in December 2017, and Council President Mark Sideris recalled that some neighbors opposed the idea of having a hockey rink there.

City Manager Search

City Manager Screening Committee to Include Two Residents, See How to Apply

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With the retirement of Michael Driscoll this month, Watertown will be hiring a new City Manager for the first time in nearly 30 years and residents can be part of the process. Two residents will be included in the committee that will screen the candidates for the position. On Tuesday night, Council President Mark Sideris announced that the Screening Committee would have seven members. Along with the two residents, there will be three City Councilors — Sideris as chair, Vice President Vincent Piccirilli and Caroline Bays, who chairs the Personnel and Town Organization Committee. There will also be two members of the City Administration or City employees, who have not yet been named.

Government

Find Out What it is Like to Serve on a Watertown Board or Commission

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A panel discussion will be held about serving on a City board or commission. On Thursday, Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. a virtual panel discussion will be held about how to serve on one of the city’s appointed boards or commission. It will cover: what it’s like to serve, how to apply, and what positions are currently open. The panel will include:

• Amy Plovnick (Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee)

• Janet Buck (Stormwater Advisory Committee)

• Leo Martin (Conservation Commission), and

• Jeanne Trubek (Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee) 

All are invited to attend.

Government

State Rep. Owens, State Sen. Brownsberger Hosting Joint Virtual Office Hours

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State Rep. Steve Owens (left) and State Sen. Will Brownsberger will host joint office hours. The following announcement was provided by State. Rep. Steve Owens’ office:

State Representative Steve Owens will be hosting Joint Office Hours alongside State Senator Will Brownsberger next week on Tuesday, January 11th. The event will be virtual and begin at 5:00 p.m. EST and end at 7:00 p.m. EST. Both legislators are looking forward to hearing from constituents on state-related legislative or personal matters.

City Council

Watertown Councilors, School Committee & Library Trustees Sworn-In at City Hall

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Charlie BreitroseMembers of the Watertown City Council take the oath from City Clerk Janet Murphy on Monday night. Most years, the swearing-in of Watertown’s newly elected officials is part of an inauguration ceremony in a large venue with many guests, but with COVID-19 the 2022 event was an intimate affair. The winners of the November 2021 election were sworn in by City Clerk Janet Murphy in the Council Chamber in City Hall Monday night. Charlie BreitroseAfter her swearing-in, Library Trustee Sara Keary poses with City Manager Michael Driscoll, left, and City Council President Mark Sideris. Some family members were on hand for the ceremony, but the Chamber was not full even when eight City Councilors took the oath.