Government

Watertown Community Preservation Plan Released, Committee Wants Public’s Reactions

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A shot of the cover of the Community Preservation Committee’s Draft Five Year Plan, released in late April. Watertown has several million dollars to spend on projects to acquire land for open space and outdoor recreation, create affordable housing and preserve the Town’s historic structures and resources. The Committee that will make recommendations on how to spend the money recently released a draft of the plan that will guide which projects will get funded. Last week, the Community Preservation Committee made the draft of a five-year plan available for the public to read (see it here). The Committee wants to know what Watertown residents think about the plan, and will host a meeting on May 20 at 7 p.m. to gather input.

Council Vacancy

Council to Create Process to Appoint Person to Fill District D Vacancy

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Watertown Town Hall

A vacancy in the District D Council spot will be filled by someone appointed by the remaining members of the Town Council. The opening was created when West End Councilor Ken Woodland resigned in early April to take a job that would not allow him to serve on the Council. This week, the Council discussed options for how to fill, and whether or not to fill, the open seat until the November Town Election. Because the vacancy occurred during the second year of the two-year term, the Council can appoint a replacement with a vote of six of eight members. They could also vote to hold a special election (also requiring a six-vote majority), said Town Attorney Mark Reich from KP Law.

Angeline Kounelis

LETTER: Resident Sad to See Kounelis Step Down as East End Town Councilor

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Editor:

I was disappointed to see Angie Kounelis give her notice that she was stepping down as a Town Councilor!! First and foremost Angie was special in keeping East Enders in the know on what was happening in our part of town!! But more than that she was different. She took no money at all she placed no signs on lawns. She spoke her mind and she got elected every time!! She paid attention and knew the issues like the back of her hand!

Angeline Kounelis

Long-Time Watertown Town Council Member Will Not Seek Re-Election in November

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District A Councilor Angeline Kounelis will not be seeking re-election in 2021. A fixture on the Watertown Town Council will be stepping down at the end of her eighth term. East End Town Councilor Angeline Kounelis announced Wednesday that she will not seek re-election for the District A seat. She was first elected in 2005. Kounelis sent out an email to her colleagues and to her constituents saying simply: “Just a note to advise: I will not be seeking re-election to the position that I currently hold as the District A, East End, Town Councilor.

Fiscal 2022 Budget

Town Budget: Watertown Will Pay for New High School Without Tax Override, Fund to Buy Land to be Created

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Ai3 ArchitectsA view from Columbia Street of what the new Watertown High School could look like. The new Watertown High School will be built without a tax increase from a debt exclusion, Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced during Tuesday night’s presentation of the Fiscal Year 2022 budget. The FY22 budget will total $164.43 million, which is an increase of $976,720 — or 0.6 percent — above the current fiscal year. The budget includes a $1.5 million increase in State Aid from FY21, but does not include an expected $10 million that Watertown will receive as part of the Federal American Rescue Plan Act in FY22 and FY23. High School Funding

Driscoll saved the announcement of the high school project funding to the end of his budget highlights.

Around Town

Congresswoman Clark Appearing at Watertown Group’s Annual Meeting

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Congresswoman Katherine Clark

The following information was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment:

Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment’s Annual Meeting featuringCongresswoman Katherine Clark will be on Sunday, May 2 at 3:30 PM. Zoom link at watertowncitizens.org

What can progressives expect from Congress since the January 6 insurrection? How do we make our issues a priority? Come ask your questions of Representative Clark. We are honored to have Representative Clark as our guest speaker.

Government

Town Charter Changes Proposed to Allow Council to Hire Staff, Hold a State of the Town Meeting Annually

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Watertown Town Hall

Allowing the Town Council to hire staff to help them with their work, adding language to spell out the Council’s power, and requiring annual State of the Town meetings are some of the changes being considered by the Watertown Charter Review Committee. The Committee began looking at ways to alter the current Town Charter Tuesday, at the first meeting following their vote to keep the current form of government with a Town Council and the Town Manager serving as the executive rather than changing to one with a mayor as the executive. Assistants for the Council

The Committee’s consultant, Michael Ward from UMass Boston’s Collins Center, brought up some possible changes to address concerns raised at previous meetings. One issue raised was the Council’s ability to do its work, and having enough capacity to handle the duties of the Council. One way Ward suggested to address that issue was adding a piece to the Legislative section of the charter which would allow the Town Council to hire staff to help them with areas such as research into municipal issues, financial analysis or other areas.

Government

Volunteers Wanted to Distribute Flyers for Watertown Charter Review Committee

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The Charter Review Committee sent out the following announcement seeking volunteers:

Watertown Charter Review Committee Flyer Drop, Saturday, April 24 – Sunday, April 25. 

The Town of Watertown Charter Review Committee (CRC) needs many volunteers this weekend, Saturday, April 24 – Sunday, April 25 (and beyond, if needed) to drop off flyers to homes in your neighborhood to alert residents that the CRC is soliciting input from all residents on improvements to Watertown’s government. Learn about Watertown!-Interested volunteers, please contact John Gannon at (617) 905-4115 or at jggannon@yahoo.com. A raffle drawing of volunteers will be held for a donation to a charity or cause of your choice! Thanks! Crc Flyer 2021 0406 Final by Charlie Breitrose on Scribd

Charter Review Committee Votes to Keep Town Manager Form of Government