Environment

OP-ED: State Senate Passes Energy Bill Aimed at Addressing Climate Change

By |

{The following piece was provided by State Sen. Will Brownsberger (D – Belmont) who also represents Watertown}

After a long day of debate, the Senate passed the Barrett-Pacheco omnibus energy bill on Thursday — significant legislation to continue movement in Massachusetts towards a cleaner energy future. Addressing climate change is a core priority for me and I am glad to move this legislation forward. The next step will be action by the House of Representatives.   After that, the branches will need to reconcile their differences and get the bill to the Governor’s desk.  We should expect the bill to continue to evolve. As mentioned in a previous post, I am most enthusiastic about the provisions that will lead to carbon pricing in the transportation sector. A summary of the major provisions appears below, excerpted from the Senate press release on the bill:

Increasing the percentage of Class I renewable energy that must be purchased by retail electric suppliers under the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard from an additional 1% annually to an additional 3% annually. Requiring the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to establish market-based compliance mechanisms to maximize the ability of the Commonwealth to achieve its greenhouse gas emission limits for: (i) the transportation sector not later than December 31, 2020; (ii) the commercial and industrial building sectors not later than December 31, 2021; and (iii) the residential building sector not later than December 31, 2022.

Development

LETTER: Development on Arsenal Street is Changing the East End

By |

To the editor, and the Watertown community,

I think the thing that bothers me most about this, and many other developments going on around the Boston area, is the fact that none of what I see takes into account the existing residents. There is no thought about who already lives here, and how what they develop will affect the area. There is no thought of including any of the character, the history of the location, buildings, etc., which is very important to the knowledge of how our county was formed. No thought of the people who have made this area what it is … no thought of all of the cultures, especially in East Watertown, that already reside here.

Arsenal Yards

LETTER: Resident Supports Taller Tower in Arsenal Yards Project

By |

During my campaign for Library Trustee last year I talked with hundreds of residents about their concerns. The pace of housing development was by far the most popular topic of conversation. Some residents expressed reservations about the new development. They worried about increased traffic and possible strain on the schools, among other questions. Others — people on fixed incomes, working-class residents, and families eager to buy a home here but squeezed out of the market — were more worried about the cost of housing.

Doug Orifice

COLUMN: Will You Outlive Your Retirement Savings?

By |

What is the tallest financial hurdle for those in retirement? A Stock Market crash? Recession? Inflation? After 20 years and hundreds of conversations on the topic, I’d suggest one of the greatest threats to financial security in retirement may be the risk of outliving your money.

Arsenal Mall

LETTER: Resident Concerned About Request for Taller Tower at Mall

By |

I wrote this letter in December 2016 but it is even more relevant today in lieu of the zoning amendment proposal to increase the RMUD height to 197 feet. To the citizens of Watertown, regarding the Arsenal Project MP/SP proposal, 12/19/16. In over a year of meetings the issue which I thought would have been a major concern to both the citizens of Watertown, the city councilors, and the city planning department employees was rarely discussed. The issue I am referring to is the development of a 12 story building (building “G”) approximately 100 feet from Greenough Boulevard. Now the reason the developer wants to build this building is obvious.

Letters

LETTER: Resident, Architect Offers Critique of New Arsenal St. Apartment Complex

By |

The first of the major Arsenal Street Project is built (Gables Arsenal Street). An analysis might be of value as we discuss the future projects. As a local architect I offer these comments since no one else has stepped up. From a town planning stand point a number of items stand out. The addition of 200+/- new units, none of which are studios with 15 percent dedicated to affordable units.

Environment

OP-ED: How Will Climate Change Impact Transportation in Massachusetts?

By |

The following piece was submitted by State Sen. Will Brownsberger (D – Belmont) who represents Watertown:

I spent Wednesday morning at a Rappapport Institute forum on climate change and transportation infrastructure. When I think about the local impacts of climate change, what I worry about most is water — flooding due to sea level rise. Increased precipitation is also an issue, but for the coastal region that I represent, the big issue is sea level rise. The areas I serve are sheltered from direct coastal flooding and do not face immediate inundation risks, but every legislator has to be concerned about the vulnerabilities of the transportation system that the region depends on. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has lead the region’s efforts to understand climate change — making the initial investment in the Boston Harbor Flood Risk Model to better understand the risks to the central artery and harbor tunnels.

Arbor Day

LETTER: Thank You for a Successful Watertown Arbor Day Celebration

By |

With only one month to plan, I would like to give some special thanks to those who were able to work with me on such short notice to pull together this year’s Arbor Day event.Thank you to Anthony’s Florist, Little Sprouts Dayschool, and Vacation Garden School, for providing fun activities for the kids. Thank you to Tom Burke, Manager at Stop & Shop on Pleasant Street; and to Michael Sullivan, Manager at 7-Eleven on Main Street; for providing snacks and beverages. Thank you to Adrian Deniz at Miller’s Ale House for doing a wonderful job of coordinating the lunches donated for our volunteers and table hosts. Thank you to Butler & Sons Tree Service Inc. for their donation of three $100 gift certificates and to Watertown Savings Bank for their donation of reusable bags. Thank you to Councillor Feltner for coming early Thursday morning to help setup and for doing a wonderful reading of the Arbor Day Proclamation.