Election 2022

Governor’s Council Candidates Will Appear in Live Televised Debate

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The candidates for Governor’s Council District 3 will be appearing on a live debate on Watertown Cable Access Television. The candidates will appear on the ballot for the Sept. 6 State Primary. WCA-TV sent out the following information:

We’re excited to announce that WCA-TV will be hosting a televised debate between the two democratic candidates running for Massachusetts District 3 Governor’s Council in the upcoming Primary Election; incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney and challenger Mara Dolan. DATE: Monday, Aug.

Andrea's House of Pizza

Watertown Pizza Place Closing After Four Decades

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Andrea’s House of Pizza will be closing. A favorite spot for Watertown pizza lovers will be closing after 40 years serving local diners. Andrea’s House of Pizza in Coolidge Square will be closing this week, said Alex Taoultsides, who co-owns Andrea’s with his father Stratos. “Our last day is August 19th,” he said. “After 40 years it’s time to retire.”

Government

Council Asking Legislature to Allow Residential Property Tax Relief

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Wikimedia Commons / ChensiyuanMassachusetts State House. City officials requested that the State Legislature give Watertown an exception to a state law that would give residential property owners a break on their taxes. For years Watertown has shifted the burden of property taxes from residents to commercial, industrial and personal property taxpayers. The City Council has voted for the maximum shift of 175 percent. State law, however says that the total portion of the residential tax cannot be below the higher of 50 percent of the tax levy or the lowest percentage of the tax levy made up by residential property tax since the the City created tax classifications for different types of properties.

Entertainment

Faire on the Square Date Announced, Applications for Exhibitors Being Accepted

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The organizers of the Faire on the Square sent out the following announcement:

Join us for another outstanding Faire on the Square on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Applications for exhibitors now being accepted visit : www.faireonthesquare.com or Drop by the Watertown City Clerk’s Office, 149 Main St., Watertown

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 

Jennifer KavanaughVendors had a variety of items for sale. Another Year with amazing entertainment, including:

The Levitating Red Sox Player (how does he do that?)

Sara Kunz – The Flyin Hawaiian

Juggler/Comedian Robert Clarke

Frank Sinatra Tribute featuring Rich DiMare

Rock Band Vinyl Fix

Beer Garden  12-5PM

For More Information: info@faireonthesquare.com

Around Town

Police Log: Driver Tries to Flee After Striking Truck in Parking Lot, String of Catalytic Converter Thefts

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

Aug. 1, 11:50 p.m.: A driver backed his 1998 Toyota van into a commercial truck parked in the lot for Dunkin’ Donuts at 49 Mt. Auburn St. Then the driver tried to leave the parking lot heading the wrong direction, but several customers stood in front of the vehicle to prevent it from leaving.

Climate & Energy Plan

Council Approves Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gases & Prepare for Impact of Climate Change

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The Climate & Energy Plan approved by the City Council on Tuesday has multiple goals, including reducing the use of fossil fuels, increasing the number of electric vehicles, cutting the amount of waste created in Watertown, and preparing the City and residents for the impact of severe weather. The City has been working on the plan since March 2021, and formed a 35-member Stakeholder Advisory Group, working groups, conducted two surveys, and held meetings to discuss the five areas of the plan: Building & Energy, Transportation & Mobility, Natural Resources, Infrastructure & Waste Management, and Public Health & Community Preparedness. One of the major goals of the plan calls for making the City of Watertown carbon neutral by 2050, said Ed Lewis, Watertown’s Energy Manager. “Buildings are the biggest (contributor), the fat rabbit in this: 56 percent of gas comes from buildings,” Lewis said. “Transportation accounts for a little over 40 percent.” 

The plan calls for cutting all heating of homes and buildings by oil or natural gas to zero percent by 2050.

Around Town

State Officials Celebrate National Farmers Market Week in Watertown

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown celebrated National Farmers Market Week on Wednesday. Along with the normal throngs of people seeking fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, fish and more, a group of state officials attended the Watertown Farmers Market Wednesday to mark National Farmers Market Week. The weekly market, held every Wednesday at Saltonstall Park, not only provides access to locally grown and produced food, it serves as a place for the community to come together and to provide nutritious items to those who struggle to pay for food. Massachusetts has more than 200 farmers markets, said John Lebeaux, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, but most others are not held in such picturesque locations, including parking lots. “I love this site here.

City Clerk

Most Watertown Voting Locations Will be Usual Spots, Council to Examine Election Decision Process

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After initially proposing that several precincts would move to different polling locations for the September 2022 election, which would particularly impact residents in the eastern half of Watertown, the final plan only moves one precinct on a temporary basis. The Council not only voted to set the polling locations for the 2022 elections, but also adopted an optional state statute regarding the voter registration deadline, and the process for assigning police officers to voting locations. The City Council received an initial memo from City Clerk Janet Murphy on Aug. 3 that suggested moving precincts 1 and 3 from the Hellenic Center to the Hosmer School, as well as precincts 4 and 5 from the Phillips School to Hibernian Hall. Acting City Manager Tom Tracy said he received a new memo and forwarded it to the Council on the afternoon of the day of the Council meeting on Aug.