Comprehensive Plan

Residents Have Two Chances to Help Shape the Future of Watertown

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The first of two opportunities for the public to help shape the future of Watertown takes place Tuesday night at Watertown Middle School. The interactive workshop about Watertown’s Comprehensive Plan Update will be held on Sept. 20, 2022 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Middle School, 68 Waverley Ave. A second meeting will be held on Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library (in the Watertown Savings Bank Room).

Around Town

LETTER: Group Encourages Older Residents to Participate in Comprehensive Plan Process

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Submitted by Bob Shay of Watertown for All Ages

Watertown for All Ages, a grassroots community organization, encourages older adults and their children to make their voices heard in the city’s Comprehensive Planning process that will shape the future of Watertown for years to come. Watertown for All Ages has submitted recommendations for improved programs and services for older residents. To learn more and read the recommendations visit the Watertown for All Ages website (www.watertownforallages.org) or email: info@watertownforallages.org. The City is holding workshops for the public to participate in the Comprehensive Plan process on September 20 and 29. For details: https://engagestantec.mysocialpinpoint.com/watertown-plan/watertown-plan-events/ 

“We hope the ideas we have offered for the Comprehensive Plan will be the basis for a broader community discussion, and we encourage everyone to get involved,” said Bob Shay, President of Watertown for All Ages. Watertown for All Ages’ list of opportunities that the City planners should consider includes suggestions to increase transportation and affordable housing options, identify innovative ways to decrease social isolation, support intergenerational programs, and offer a broader range programs and recreational opportunities that will be of interest to a more diverse population of older residents.

City Budget

Watertown’s New City Manager Talks About Some of His Priorities as He Starts the Job

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Watertown’s new City Manager, George Proakis, officially started working for the City on Aug. 15, 2022. In his first few weeks as new City Manager, George Proakis has been meeting people and getting familiar with how things work in Watertown, but he does have a few items he knows will be on his plate during his first year on the job. Proakis sat down with Watertown News during his second week in his new job and shared some of his thoughts about projects he expects to take on early in his time in town. This is the second of two stories on the City’s new chief executive.

311

New Manager Likes Watertown’s Strong Fiscal Base, Looks at Successes from Previous Community

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City of WatertownWatertown’s new City Manager, George Proakis, was sworn in by City Clerk Janet Murphy on Aug. 15, 2022. Even before his first official day as City Manager, George Proakis began to familiarize himself with the community by browsing through the booths at the Watertown Arts Market with his family. While he is new to Watertown, he knows a few things about this City’s government, and a lot about how municipal governments work. In May, the City Council chose Proakis to be Watertown’s first new manager in nearly three decades.

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.

Development

City Hosting Walks & Bikes with Staff to Get Input to Shape Watertown’s Future

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Residents can join City staff on walks and bike rides around Watertown to take a look at the City’s major business areas, and get input about what they should look like in the future. The information gathered will be used in the process to update Watertown’s Comprehensive Plan. The series covers a number of areas where development has and will continue to occur, including Watertown Square, Pleasant Street, Coolidge Square, and the bike path near Arsenal Street that runs through East Watertown to Fresh Pond. Assistant Director of Planning Gideon Schreiber said the tours provide another way for people to give input on the Comprehensive Plan. “I’ve been on the Live Well Watertown committee for 10 years, and we’ve done these walks and often times when I’m doing the walk with residents they have questions, they have ideas, they have thoughts, and we thought that it would be a good opportunity to mix it up and do something different,” Schreiber said.

Around Town

LETTER: Too Much Land in Watertown Square is Being Wasted

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This letter was inspired by the commenting process on the Watertown Comprehensive Plan. If you haven’t participated yet, it’s not too late! But I wanted to get this letter in front of a wider audience because this problem affects all of us. Too much land in Watertown Square is wasted by ground-level parking lots. Watertown is small by area, and we only have one central downtown location.

Around Town

Residents Can Shape Decisions in Watertown by Taking Vision & Needs Survey

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The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

Watertown is beginning the process of updating our Comprehensive Plan to guide policy and decision-making over the next 10+ years. Citizen engagement and community input will be important throughout the planning process. Please participate in the Vision and Needs Survey to share your thoughts about life in Watertown today and its future by June 3, 2022. 

Click here to find the survey. Find out more about the Comprehensive Plan process by clicking below:

City Wants Input on Comprehensive Plan, Providing Multiple Opporunties