Government

Charter Review Group Discusses How Planning, Zoning Board Members are Appointed

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The Town of Watertown’s Zoning Map. With development in Watertown being a topic of controversy for the past decade, the Charter Review Committee examined how the two boards overseeing building and development are appointed. At the June 29 meeting of the Charter Review Committee, resident member Marcia Ciro proposed an amendment to the Town Charter, which would change the way the members of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals are appointed. Currently the Town Manager makes the nominations for appointment, and the Council votes to confirm, or not, the person. Ciro proposed having the Town Council appoint the members of both boards.

Around Town

Charter Review Committee Adds Resident Advisory Committee, Decides on Spokesperson in Emergencies

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The proposed changes to Watertown’s Charter, which will go to voters for approval in November, include the addition of a committee to work with the Town Manager to recruit and evaluate candidates for town boards and committees. Another addition defines when the Council President can act as the spokesperson during an emergency situation. These were some of the changes discussed at the June 15 meeting of the Charter Review Committee. The next meeting is Tuesday, July 6 at 6 p.m.

Resident Advisory Committee & Diversity

The Charter changes would create a Resident Advisory Committee. The group would help the Manager recruit and evaluate candidates nominations for appointed committees and boards.

Charter Review Committee

Council Vice President Term Limits & Council Compensation Discussed by Charter Review Committee

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Charlie BreitroseResidents packed the Council Chamber for a Town Council Meeting. The Charter Review Committee tackled a couple of issues impacting the Town Council, including whether the Vice President should have term limits, and when and how the Council should determine its own salaries. At the June 15 meeting, the Charter Review Committee was asked to propose changes that were not already proposed by the consultants from the Collins Center at UMass Boston. Vice President Term Limits

Councilor Tony Palomba proposed a change to the Charter that would have the vice president of the Council to be chosen for a two-year term and not be allowed to serve for more than two consecutive terms. The position, which is currently nominated and voted on by the Council, currently is chosen at the beginning of the two-year term and there are no limits to how many terms someone can serve. Palomba said he believes it is a position where Councilors can learn a lot about how the government works.

Around Town

LETTER: School Mental Health Professional, Mother of 2 Running for School Committee

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Jessica Middlebrook announced her run for School Committee. She is shown with her two daughters at Watertown Town Hall. My name is Jessica Middlebrook and I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for Watertown School Committee. In the wake of the most disruptive and painful school year in living memory, our community needs experienced, empathic leaders who will build connections, foster difficult but important conversations, and work toward creating equitable school cultures where all students feel valued and safe. With my experience as a parent and school mental health professional, my strong progressive values, and my abiding love for our community, I know that I can help our schools work better for all our kids and families.  

My husband, David, and I have been residents of Watertown for the past 12 years. We were drawn here to start our family because of its diversity and caring, engaged community.

Government

Council Backs Rules for Short-Term Rentals (Like Airbnb), No Decision on Max Number of Renters

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The Town Council moved forward proposed rules that would apply to short-term rentals — such as those booked through Airbnb or Vrbo — in Watertown, but could not come to an agreement on what the maximum number of guests at a rental would be. On June 22, the Town Council approved proposed changes to the Town’s Zoning Ordinance to allow short-term rentals as an accessory use. The short-term rentals rule will now go to the Planning Board, which will review them and give their recommendation, and then they will come back to the Council for final approval. Under the rules, short-term rentals will be allowed in Watertown, but operators will have to register with the Town and have the units inspected. There will also be community impact fees charged each time a unit is rented, with the funds coming back to the Town.

Elections

LETTER: Watertown Mother, Educator Running for School Committee

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School Committee candidate Jennifer Nicholson, her husband Ryan Nicholson (Assistant Fire Chief on the Watertown Fire Department), and their children. My name is Jennifer (Holt) Nicholson and as a lifelong resident of Watertown, I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for the Watertown School Committee. It would be a tremendous honor for me to serve with pride and give back to the community that has given so much to my entire family. My children, incoming third and first graders at Cunniff, are fourth generation students of Watertown Public Schools. My husband, who is currently Assistant Fire Chief for the Watertown Fire Department, and I both graduated from Watertown High School in 2003.

Government

Town Manager Announces His Retirement After Nearly 3 Decades

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Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced he will retire after nearly three decades in the position and over 40 years working for the Town. After nearly three decades leading Watertown’s government, Town Manager Michael Driscoll told the Town Council Tuesday night that he soon will be retiring. “On August 18, 1977, I began working for the Town of Watertown at the young age of 24!,” Driscoll said Tuesday. “Tonight, I am announcing my intention to retire as Town Manager the end of January 2022, when I will be 69 which will be 45 years of serving our community, with the last 29 years as Watertown’s Town Manager.” Driscoll said he has recently been contemplating retirement.

Government

Watertown’s Town Boards Return to In-Person Meetings, Public Can Still Participate Remotely

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown government meetings returned to the Town Council Chamber this week for the first time since the COVID-19 restrictions in early 2020. (Above is a Town Council meeting in February 2020). One of the screens in the back of the room has a feed linking Zoom participants to meetings. Town government meetings have returned to Town Hall this week, with the School Committee convening there on Monday and the Town Council holding its meeting there on Tuesday night. The School Committee’s meeting was the first in person for more than a year-and-a-half, said Chair John Portz.