Concerned Watertown Homeowners

Town Council Candidates Tackle Issues at Concerned Homeowners Forum

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Many subjects came up during the Concerned Watertown Homeowners Association Meet the Candidates night, but one that was touched more than once was the affordability of living in Watertown. Property taxes and rents are growing even as the town undergoes a massive amount of development. One man said both his children have master’s degrees and good jobs, but cannot afford to buy in Watertown. The candidates for Town Council at the forum (Michelle Cokonougher was unable to attend) agreed that it is more and more difficult to buy a home in town, rent or even to stay in a property in town and shared their ideas for how to tackle the problem. The candidates for Town Councilor At-Large were asked about their ideas for controlling taxes, reducing taxes and/or making it easier for people to afford to be in town.

Government

Residents Concerned About How Possible Zoning Changes Would Impact Their Homes

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More than 100 residents came out Thursday night to hear about the Residential Design Guidelines, which many said they had only recently heard about. Town Council President Mark Sideris said he would make sure people are aware of proposed changes when they come out. The meeting was held by a resident’s group, Concerned Watertown Homeowners, which formed in response to the guidelines working their way through the town government. (See the town’s Residential Design Guideline webpage here.)

The Residential Design Guidelines were first proposed by a group of residents concerned by smaller homes are being torn down and replaced with much larger homes, often two-family homes. They worried about changing the character of Watertown’s neighborhoods.