Government

OP-ED: Councilor on Why Property Taxes are Rising, How They Seek to Control Them

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It is unquestioned that Watertown is going through an unprecedented level of growth and change. In this type of environment, even within the confines of Proposition 2 ½, many residents struggle to pay increasing property taxes on limited incomes. In recognition of the realities residents all over town are facing, in recognition of the current and future market increases and how such trends affect our commercial and residential classes and with the Community Preservation Act being passed by voters (to be on taxpayer bills in 2018), I offer the following to the residents of Watertown as, hopefully, a form of reassurance regarding FY17 and future tax classifications. From 1998-2016 the average tax bill in Watertown increased just over 4.0% each year. Although 4.0% is the rough average, in 10 of those years the average tax bill only increased between 2.0-4.0%.

Elections

LETTER: Rough and Tumble Campaign Over, Now it’s Time to Work Together

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To the editor,

As one of the most vocal opponents of the CPA during the campaign, I’d like to congratulate the proponents on their victory.  

There is no doubt that this campaign was heated.  Often times, hyperbole came from both sides. That’s what happens in a campaign. For those of us who have been involved in politics for years, it’s not surprise, nor do we find anything out of the ordinary. Politics is a blood sport during a campaign.

Letters

LETTER: Watertown Woman Took Advantage of Solar Program, Others Can Too

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Dear Editor and Watertown Neighbors,

I know that many of you have received information about the current Watertown solar initiative called Neighborhood Solar. Two years ago, my husband, David Breakstone, and I decided to explore this option when Neighborhood Solar ran for the first time. We had no idea what to expect. I attended one of the informational meetings and found Ben Mayer of SunBug well-organized, informative, and willing to answer all questions. The program and the process made sense, so David and I asked SunBug Solar, Neighborhood Solar’s installer, to do a site visit and give us a proposal.

Elections

LETTER: Pro CPA Group Gives Examples of How CPA Used in Other Towns

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Vote YES on 5 for Community Preservation Act (CPA) It Benefits Us ALL. More money is there for us right now:

All our neighboring communities are already in: Waltham, Belmont, Cambridge, Newton. Boston strongly supports a Yes on 5 this year as well – see YesBetterBoston.com. They have all made, and will continue to make, significant and creative improvements with their CPA funds. Our contributions will continue going to other towns if we vote no.

Community Preservation Act

LETTER: No Vote on CPA is Fiscally Prudent, Shows Empathy for Neighbors

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Last week’s mega millions jackpot was about $6 million. Since I didn’t “hit the jackpot,” does that mean I “lost” $6 million? I don’t think so either. Welcome to the wonderful world of CPA Tax Proponent logic. This notion that we are “leaving money on table” and we have “missed out” neglects to mention a very important part of this Utopian equation; the money they “could have had” would’ve only belonged to them if they had somehow managed to get YOU, the homeowner and renter, to agree to part with it to begin with.

Elections

LETTER: Sustainable Watertown Supports the Community Preservation Act

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To the Editor,

Sustainable Watertown encourages Watertown to vote for the Community Preservation Act (CPA), Question 5, when you vote Tuesday. Question 5 is on the back of your ballot. The CPA will allow residents to Invest in Watertown with matching funds from the State to be spent as the community decides on improving parks, trails, and recreation; veterans memorials and historic sites; and to create more affordable housing. We would receive about $2 million a year. The state has already given out $542 million.

Community Preservation Act

LETTER: Community Preservation Act Will Allow Investment in Watertown

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To the Editor,

I believe that we should Invest in Watertown and vote in favor of Question 5 as so many other cities and towns in Massachusetts have done before us. We would get about 27 cents in matching funds from the State for every dollar paid into the fund. That’s a lot of return for about $124 per year for a family in Watertown. And it is a Watertown community committee that makes the local choices of how to spend the money. The issue of competition between the Community Preservation Act and any schools to be built in the future is a red herring, a diversion, with different sources of funding and many years of planning yet to come.

Elections

LETTER: Defeating CPA May Mean Voters Never Have Another Shot at It

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Editor,

Some of those who are urging a No vote on CPA, Question 5, are insisting that they do not oppose CPA but that this is just the wrong time for it. Their proposal that this should be postponed to a later date is in my opinion a false option. If the CPA is defeated for a second time, I believe it may be gone for good in Watertown; at least we will be missing its financial benefits for a very long time to come. Those who propose a delay to a future time are clearly not aware of the enormous time, energy, organization, and numbers of people involved in getting the question on the ballot and educating voters about it. The Town Council will also be reluctant to put it on the ballot after a second defeat.  It took 11 years after the 2005 defeat for a group to propose it again; a second defeat will seal it’s fate for the foreseeable future.