70 Bus

Some MBTA Buses Running Less Often Starting Aug. 28, Long Term Planning Survey

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Charlie BreitroseBuses in Watertown including the 71 bus will run less frequently starting the fall of 2022. Changes to the MBTA schedule and service will begin on Aug. 28, and some routes in Watertown will be impacted. Three bus routes in Watertown — the 70, 71, and 73 buses — will run less often. The changes will impact the 70 (which runs from Waltham to Central Square/University Park in Cambridge via Main Street and Arsenal Street) on weekdays.

Election 2022

Challenger Critical of Longtime Governor’s Councilor in State Primary Race

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WCA-TV

For more than two decades Watertown’s Marilyn Petitto Devaney has served as the Governor’s Councilor for District 3, but in 2022 she faces an opponent in the Democratic Primary, Mara Dolan, who questions her voting record on judges and her relationship with other members of the Council. The Governor’s Council, also known as the Executive Council, votes on the Governor’s nominations for judges in all levels of state courts, clerk magistrates, as well as members of other state boards, including the Parole Board, the Appellate Tax Board, and the Industrial Accident and Industrial Accident Reviewing boards. They also vote on the Governor’s proposed pardons and commutations of prisoners, as well as, the warrants for the State Treasury. The candidates debated each other Monday night on Watertown Cable Access TV, and covered a range of topics, including a recent Boston Globe article that focused on Devaney’s relationship with the other members of the Council and a vote to approve a judge who refused to publicly reveal her stance on abortion rights. Candidates

Devaney pointed to her record as an independent voice on the Governor’s Council who often went against the others, and cited some reforms she has spearheaded including continuing to broadcast meetings on YouTube after the pandemic restrictions ended and prohibiting contributions by nominees to members of the Governor’s Council.

Around Town

Developers Submit Proposed Project for Sterritt Lumber Site

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Nordblom CompanyAn illustration of the proposed life science building for 148 Waltham St., the former Sterritt Lumber site. Developers have submitted plans for a lab building to be built on the former Sterritt Lumber site on the Westside of Watertown. On Aug. 8, the Nordblom Company filed for a special permit with site plan review by the City of Watertown on behalf of the owners, Watertown Owner LLC to construct an office lab/R&D (research and development) building at 148 Waltham Street. The project is the second proposal for the former Sterritt Lumber site, near Bemis Park, in West Watertown.

Comprehensive Plan

City Hosting Two Workshops, Survey on the Comprehensive Plan Update

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The City of Watertown announced two chances for the public to participate in the updating of Watertown’s Comprehensive Plan. City officials released the following announcement:

Come plan for our future – together! The City of Watertown and its planning team are hosting an interactive workshop on September 20, 2022 and September 29, 2022 starting at 6:30 p.m. to discuss draft goals and review preliminary strategies which will guide future decisions about new development, transportation options, business and economic development, open space and recreation, and more. Confirmation of the location of these meetings will be available soon. Attend either (or both) workshops to learn more and share your thoughts with us.

College Sports

Watertown’s Sydney Poulin Represents Endicott for NCAA Woman of the Year

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David Le / Endicott CollegeWatertown’s Sydney Poulin was named as Endicott College’s nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year. The following information came from Endicott College Athletics:

Endicott field hockey student-athlete Sydney Poulin ’22, of Watertown, has been chosen as Endicott College’s NCAA Woman of the Year Nominee. The NCAA Woman of the Year program was established in 1991 and honors the academic achievements, athletics excellence, community service, and leadership of graduating female college student-athletes from all three divisions. To be eligible, a nominee must have competed and earned a varsity letter in an NCAA-sponsored sport and must have earned her undergraduate degree by Summer 2022. Poulin, Eliza Timms from Salve Regina, and Erica Dimmick from the University of New England were eligible to be selected as the Commonwealth Coast Conference’s (CCC) nominee by the league’s Senior Woman Administrators.

Early Voting

Watertown’s Dates for In-Person Early Voting for the State Primary

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown residents cast their ballots at Watertown Town Hall in the 2020 Massachusetts Presidential Primary. Early voting will be available in 2022. The City of Watertown provided the following information:

In Person Early Voting for the MA State Primary will be August 27-September 2, 2022 at Watertown City Hall at 149 Main St in the Philip Pane Lower Hearing Room on the Ground Floor. Election day is Sept. 6.

Alexandria Real Estate

Roadwork on Mt. Auburn & Arsenal Streets Could Overlap

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Two of Watertown’s major roadways in the eastern part of town are scheduled to be undergoing roadwork at the same time. On Aug. 9, the City Council approved funds to replace water mains on Mt. Auburn Street, and also accepted easements provided by properties on Arsenal Street to allow for improvements along the sidewalks. Some of the work will occur simultaneously, which concerned some Councilors, including Tony Palomba.