Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/letters/page/56/)
A heartfelt “Thank You” to all who voted for me, supported me in any way, for saying a kind word along the way. Thursday, Sept. 8 election was most hurtful with one opponent sending egregious mailings. I am proud of the honest, civil campaign I conducted. I run a grass-roots campaign.
As I observe and continue to participate in the debate between supporters and opponents of Question 5 (which proposes adoption of the Community Preservation Act by Watertown), I detect at least one salutary outcome. Look at all the publicity we have generated in helping define the public interest! I support voting YES on Question 5. I admire the heartfelt dedication of its opponents from Watertown Strong Schools (WSS), but wince under their “friendly fire.” I consider it needlessly alarmist for voices within WSS to advocate putting off Community Preservation Act adoption in 2016 – for what, another 11 years? Talk to anyone in the Conservation Commission and you will hear that such adoption is outrageously overdue.
The Watertown Strong Schools group attended the School Committee’s Policy Subcommittee Meeting and added commentary at the end.
Unofficial Minutes: Policy Subcommittee Meeting
10/20/16 – Key Points and Commentary
Note: These are NOT official minutes. Commentary can be found at the end of the minutes. Written by: Kate Coyne
Subcommittee members: Guido Guidotti, Chair; Eileen Hsu-Balzer; Liz Yusem; Dr. Theresa McGuinness, Acting Superintendent; Others present: Donna Ruseckas, Director of Wellness & Extended Services; and Kate Coyne (WSS). Drug Screening and Intervention Policy
Donna Ruseckas presented on the new state mandated drug screening law. She presented what she would like to have changed in the policy.
When my children attended the Cunniff School, we as parents faced what a lot of parents are facing today — over crowded classrooms, band practice in the hallways while students are trying to learn in the classrooms. I remember when I asked the principal during a PTO meeting what could be done to create more space, he looked at me and said, “I know; I will assign you to be the chairman of the space finding committee.” He was as frustrated as we were. He was right; you cannot create space when all of the available space is being used. So, I began helping people get elected to the school committee. People like Meg Crawford, Kelley MacDonald, John Madden, Jack Bartley and others including my friend, Bob Shay. The new school superintendent at the time knew something had to be done to improve the facility problems. So she started the process of rebuilding our schools.
The city of Watertown is being left behind. This is occurring because we have been penny wise – pound foolish. It’s not the case for Belmont, Waltham, Cambridge, and another 158 additional cities and towns in the Commonwealth. Presently, Watertown sets aside budget money and allocates it for upkeep, update, and the repair of open lands, refurbish playgrounds, preserve historical areas, and other town needs. These are important projects.
Yes the so called Community Preservation Act (CPA) is back. After being rejected by the voters overwhelmingly, CPA supporters are hoping that after eleven years we forgot the deceptions and that new residents would believe their propaganda. NO we have not forgotten lies like tenants won’t pay or the empty promises like 100% matching funds. We didn’t fall for their con-job in 2005, and we shouldn’t in 2016. This year’s red herring somewhat imaginative, so I’ll give them points for creativity.
Eleven years after being soundly defeated by nearly 20%, Community Preservation Act (CPA) proponents have decided to take another bite at the apple. Back in 2005, they placed the measure on the municipal ballot. Then, highly informed voters, focused keenly on local issues, were able to give it proper deliberation and rejected it. Having seen the CPA cannot withstand such scrutiny, these same special interests decided hide it on the 2016 Presidential Ballot. So what is this CPA?
Watertown Voters should vote ‘Yes’ on question 5: “Should we bring the Community Preservation Act to Watertown?” We all know of projects that could improve the quality of our lives and the value of our homes in Watertown. CPA would create a dedicated fund to pay for such projects through a 2% surcharge on all property taxes, from businesses as well as home owners. The extra revenue that Watertown would have available by adopting CPA now would be about $2.2 million per year. The revenue would grow as the many capital projects that are being developed in Watertown are completed in the next few years and start paying property taxes. The dedicated fund could be used to help renovate our playing fields and parks, preserve our historical sites and buildings, and keep up with our affordable housing needs.