Charter Review Committee

Charter Review Committee Debates Vision for Town, Ways to Improve Government

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Watertown Town Hall

This week’s Charter Review Committee meeting covered a range of topics, from a vision for Watertown to how the charter could be changed to make the government more accountable and responsive to the public, and even the debate of keeping the Town Manger type of government or changing to a mayor. At times the discussion became heated, both between committee members and even members of the public participating in the virtual meeting. The biggest question before the group of 15 (nine Town Councilors and six members of the public) will be taken up directly in upcoming meetings. Town Council President Mark Sideris said the merits of mayor and strong manager forms of government will be on the agenda of the next meeting, and future ones. Tuesday’s agenda called for reviewing the panel discussions with at the two previous meetings with elected officials from other cities and towns.

Around Town

Watertown Offering Vaccine Clinic for Residents 75 & Older

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

The Watertown Health Department has received a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines and per state requirements is hosting a clinic for Watertown residents age 75 and older only (anyone born prior to 1945). The Watertown Seniors Over 75 Clinic is scheduled for Wednesday, February 10. To register and for more information, go to: https://www.maimmunizations.org/clinic/private_registration/46e75165-f79b-4a45-aff3-8114d48036ac

Pre-registration is required for all appointments and seniors requiring assistance with registering can call the Senior Center at (617) 972-6490 for assistance in making an appointment. Residents who have other means to get the vaccine (Veterans who utilize the VA; persons with transportation to get to mass-vaccination clinics) are encouraged to schedule appointments at those sites as soon as possible so they can get an early appointment. Because the clinic is limited, attendees will be required to provide proof of Watertown residency and are advised to wear loose clothing that allows for easy access to the upper arm for administration of the vaccination. If you have insurance, please bring your insurance card with you.

Schools

State Officials Have Questions About High School Project, May Delay Final Vote

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A conceptual design of the preferred option for the New Watertown High School, looking down Common Street toward Mt. Auburn Street. The date of the public vote on funding for the Watertown High School project may have to be pushed back after state officials had questions about the size and design of the proposed new school. After reviewing the preferred design of the new WHS, the Facilities Assessment Subcommittee of the Mass. School Building Authority sent back comments, and request for more investigation into other options after their meeting on Jan.

Government

Watertown’s Too Tall Parking Meters to be Fixed

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New parking meters, like this one, will be installed in Watertown’s Municipal Parking Lots. They will accept credit cards as well as coins. Watertown’s new parking meters are high tech, and residents have found that they have to reach much higher to put in payments in some of new ones than they did with the old ones. WBZ Channel 4 came out to Town and reported that one of the meters measured 5-foot-7, according to the news station’s report. A Watertown resident posted a photo on Facebook showing a meter on Mt.

BB&N

Sale of Grove St. Land to BB&N Closes, Demolition Delay on Shick House Approved

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The historic Shick House is on property sold by the Mount Auburn Cemetery to Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, and may be torn down. [UPDATED Feb. 3, 2021. The year that the Shick family purchased the house was 1914]

The sale of the land on Grove Street from the Mount Auburn Cemetery to Buckingham Browne & Nichols School closed last week. The Cambridge-based private school plans to build two athletic fields and a field house on the property, which is also the location of the historic Shick House.

Around Town

Watertown Declares Snow Emergency for Nor’easter, Schools Dismissing Early

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The Town of Watertown declared a Snow Emergency due to the impending snow storm forecast to hit the area on Monday afternoon through Tuesday. Also, the Watertown Schools will dismiss early on Monday, but the status of Tuesday’s school day has not been announced, as of 9:50 a.m. Monday. Superintendent of Schools Dede Galdston announced early dismissal times for the Watertown Public Schools on Monday. She did not announce plans for Tuesday, but said if a snow day is declared, there will be no remote learning, it will be like a normal snow day. See more details below.

Around Town

RMV Closing Early Due to Storm, MassDOT Encourages People to Avoid Roads

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is advising the public against traveling as the National Weather Service is forecasting heavy snow rates per hour in the early afternoon today, Monday, February 1. Snowfall rates may exceed one inch per hour on Monday afternoon and Monday night. The very strong winds will lead to blowing snow and greatly reduced visibility during the height of the storm. “We urge the public to take this storm seriously because driving conditions will be difficult, with heavy snow falling at a fast rate and gusty winds expected,” said Acting Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler. “During the storm, we are advising the public to stay home and don’t drive if you don’t have to.” 

“We are encouraging those workers who have the ability to work remotely to do so tomorrow,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “If you do have to be on the roads we urge you to plan ahead and to be off the roadways by mid-day. We expect roadways to become snow covered and slippery in the afternoon and through the evening with limited visibility and high winds as the storm progresses.”

MassDOT’s snow and ice operations will be deployed throughout the Commonwealth as conditions necessitate. Highway Districts continually conduct preparation activities in advance of new weather systems and are able to pretreat roadways with brine and Magnesium Chloride when necessary.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Gun Shown in Road Rage Incident, Car Window Shattered

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

None

Incidents

Jan. 19, 3:20 p.m.: A man came into CVS on Main Street and took some razors off the shelf but did not pay for them before leaving. The store manager called Police and gave them a description of the suspect. The man was identified and the 38-year-old Medford man was summonsed to Waltham District Court on a charge of shoplifting.