Government

Council Gives City Officials & Boards Ability to Set Fees, Wants Further Study on Enforcing Fees & Fines

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Watertown City Hall

Tuesday night the City Council gave other city boards and certain City employees the ability to set “reasonable rates” for fees without getting approval from the City Council. In another item, the Council sent the item that would enforce fees and fines by attaching them to tax bills with a municipal lien to a committee for more discussion. City Manager George Proakis said that in other communities where he has worked certain fees could be changed by boards or “officers,” or designated city employees without going to the Council for a vote. “I am always looking for opportunities to create more efficient and effective processes to address the way that we work through the issues in city government,” Proakis said. He said the change allows the Watertown government to be more “flexible and creative in the way that we ensure that fees match services.”

Government

UPDATED: This Week – Main Street Project WILL NOT be at ZBA, Council Making Multiple Votes, Snow Shoveling Ordinance & More

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The latest rendering of the proposed project at 104 Main St. It now has five stories, after previously having half a dozen stories. (Courtesy of O’Connor Management)

(UPDATE: The project at 104 Main St. will not be heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals Wednesday night). The final week of September is a busy one for local government in Watertown, with the project at 104 Main St.

Government

Final Draft of Comprehensive Plan to be Reviewed by City Council & Planning Board

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Watertown’s primary planning document, the Comprehensive Plan, is being updated and the final draft will be reviewed and discussed at a joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Board. The City of Watertown sent out the following information:

The Comprehensive Plan is near the finish line! The final draft will be reviewed at a joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Board on Thursday, September 21, 2023. The meeting, including public comment, will start at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers, second floor in City Hall, 149 Main Street. This draft includes changes recommended by the City Council’s Economic Development & Planning Committee. Read/download the draft (PDF).

Around Town

LETTER: City Councilor Kick’s Off Campaign, Discusses His Priorities

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Tony Palomba seeks re-eleciton as City Councilor At-Large. Dear Friends, Supporters, and Neighbors,

I write to invite you to my Re-election Campaign Kick Off at the home of Connie and DeWitt Henry in the West End:

Sunday, September 104:00 to 6:00 PM33 Buick Street, Watertown

There will be plenty of refreshments and great company. I will give a short speech and then invite everyone to share their ideas and concerns. It will be a lot of fun! More importantly, I write to thank you for all you do for Watertown.

Government

Property Takings Pave Way for Start of Mt. Auburn Street Project, Expected to Last 4 Years

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The City Council approved some property takings on Tuesday to make way for a $30 million federally-funded reconstruction of one of Watertown’s biggest streets. With the easements in place, the City will be able to go to bid in September on the Mt. Auburn Street Reconstruction project that will be paid for by federal Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) dollars which are awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Most of the easements will be temporary, for a five year period, and a few will be permanent, said City Manager George Proakis. “All easements allow for construction to occur on the Mt.

Government

This Week: Council Vote on Part of Mt. Auburn St. Project, ZBA Meets But Big Projects Delayed

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The City of Watertown will have to get permission from residents along Mt. Auburn Street to temporarily gain access to a portion of their property during the upcoming construction project. Also this week, the Zoning Board of Appeals will meet, but some anticipated projects will not be heard. City Council

Tuesday night, the City Council will vote on taking of easements to be able to construct the Mt. Auburn Street renovation.

Government

Councilor Vincent Piccirilli Hosting Annual Public Meeting

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Vincent Piccirilli, candidate for District C Town Councilor

As part of the changes to the Watertown Charter all City Councilors must have an annual meeting to meet with the public. District C City Councilor At-Large Vincent Piccirilli announced the date of his meeting. Councilor Vinnie Piccirilli’s Annual Councilor Meeting is Tuesday August 29, 2023 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM in the City Council Chamber in City Hall. This is an in-person meeting only, not hybrid. 

Government

LETTER: Watertown Historical Commission’ Streamlined Process Should be More Transparent

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

So … is a Watertown City Council meeting hearing worth attending? I attended one last night on zoom … a shoutout to citizens who sat through it all for hours in real time in the Council Chambers. So, is it a “done deal” by the time it gets to the hearing? Hmmm … It was all about a move by the Historic Commission to streamline its process. Not a bad idea.