Environment

Watertown State Rep. Honored For Environmental Record

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The Environmental League of Massachusetts honored a Watertown state representative for his work and record on voting for environmental issues. The group sent out the following announcement:

State Rep. Jon Hecht, a Watertown Democrat, is a true leader on environmental issues, according to his perfect scores on the Environmental League of Massachusetts’ unique and inaugural legislative scorecard. The scorecard gauges true leadership on environmental issues – not just votes, upending more traditional rankings that are often based mainly on non-controversial votes. The legislative scorecard from ELM, the oldest environmental advocacy organization in the Commonwealth, awards additional points to lawmakers who led by sponsoring important legislation and deducts points for lawmakers who filed measures that ELM opposed. It also takes lawmakers to task over their recent practice of ensuring controversial votes are not recorded roll call votes – preventing voters from truly gauging which representatives and senators on truly on their side.

Business

Rep. John Lawn Working to Make Pleasant Street Part of New District

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The west end of Watertown has undergone a building boom, but lacks some services, so State Rep. John Lawn is working to bring that part of Watertown together with nearby areas of Newton and Waltham to create the Charles River Mill District. 
Lawn spoke about the effort during the Watertown Belmont Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Towns Breakfast on April 2. His district includes precincts in all three communities, and Lawn has met with leaders in each one. Lawn has been in discussions with Watertown Town Council President Mark Sideris, Newton Mayor Setti Warren and Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy about the new district. The area would include the Pleasant Street Corridor in Watertown, the Chapel Street are of Newton and River Street to Moody Street in Waltham, Lawn said. “We want to promote the area for business and create a stronger voice for state assistance for maintenance and MBTA services,” Lawn said.

Government

State Rep. Jonathan Hecht Announces Office Hours

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Have an issue or a question about Watertown or state government, you can bring it up with State Rep. Jon Hecht at his upcoming office hours. Hecht will hold office hours on Thursday, Feb. 26 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the small conference room on the third floor of Watertown Town Hall and on Monday, March 2 from 5-6 p.m. in the Raya Stern room in the Watertown Public Library. Constituents are invited to meet with Rep. Hecht to discuss pending legislation or any other issue of concern to them. Anyone unable to attend these office hours can call Rep. Hecht at 617-722-2140 to schedule an appointment at another time.

Around Town

Talk to State Rep. Jonathan Hecht During His Office Hours

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State Rep. Jonathan Hecht will be available to hear from Watertown residents during two upcoming office hour sessions. Hecht will hold office hours on Monday, Dec. 8 from 5-6 p.m. in the Raya Stern room in the Watertown Free Public Library. Constituents are invited to meet with Rep. Hecht to discuss pending legislation or any other issue of concern to them. On Wednesday, Dec.

Elections

State Rep. Jonathan Hecht Named Environmental Champion

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Watertown State Rep. Jonathan

Watertown State Rep. Jonathan Hecht received recognition for his work on environmental issues from two groups. Hecht was named an “Environmental Champion” by the Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund and the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters (MLEV) and endorsed for re-election for his seat in the 29th Middlesex District. “Our organizations are united in support of the extraordinary commitment to environmental protection made by Jonathan Hecht,” said Chuck Anastas, MLEV board Chairman. “We need his 21st century leadership in the state legislature.”

George Bachrach, president of the ELM Action Fund, said Hecht understands the importance of clean energy technology. “Representative Hecht understands the connection between the environment and the economy,” Bachrach said.

Government

Find Out About Watertown’s Social Services Resource Program

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Watertown officials will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Social Services Resources Specialist Program, and the public is invited to come and meet the specialist. Danielle DeMoss will talk about what she has accomplished in her year as Watertown’s Social Services Resource Specialist and what issues she plans to take on next. The event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 29 in the Watertown Savings Bank Room at the Watertown Free Public Library from 5 to 7 p.m.

She will be joined by Town Council President Mark Sideris, State Rep. Jonathan Hecht and representatives from St. Patrick’s Parish, the Watertown Housing Authority, Watertown Public Schools, and the Watertown Boys and Girls Club will share their stories about the program, according to an announcement about the event. Also scheduled to attend the celebration are State Sen. Will Brownsberger, State Rep. John Lawn, Town Council and School Committee members as well as representatives from the Watertown Savings Bank, the Commission on Disabilities, the Helen Wright Robinson Fund, the Watertown Community Foundation, Mt.

Government

State Rep. Hecht Hopeful About Getting More Special Ed Funds

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Watertown’s state representatives have been working to add more money to help the Watertown Public Schools deal with spiking special education costs, and State Rep. Jonathan Hecht said he is hopeful of getting some additional money. The cost came in more than $650,000 above the budgeted level, and funds had to be diverted from those intended for the regular education budget. The School Committee has requested extra funds from the town for Fiscal 2015 to bring the base up to the level of the current year (Fiscal 2014). The House budget includes a bill that would create a fund of $250,000 for school districts that have higher than average high-cost, out-of-district special education costs. Those programs are for students who have special needs that cannot be served in the Watertown schools, and in some cases cost $100,000, $200,000 or more, according to Superintendent Jean Fitzgerald.

Government

Watertown State Reps Pushing for Extra Special Education Funds

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With Watertown facing higher than expected special education costs during the 2013-14 school year, the town’s State House delegation is asking for extra dollars from the state. State Rep. John Lawn said he is trying to get more money from the state budget, and have asked for $250,000 on the House side. “Jon Hecht and I are working on special education. Our costs are higher than other communities,” Lawn said. Meanwhile, State Sen. Will Brownsberger has requested an additional $100,000 in the Senate budget for a total of $350,000.