Letters

LETTER: Group to City Council: Voters Want Action on Housing Affordability

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Dear City Councilors,

We write to share compelling evidence that voters in our community — and across the state — are ready for bold action to make housing more affordable. Recent polling reveals that clear majorities of voters support the action needed to build more homes that people can afford, even when that choice is put up directly against protecting neighborhood character from change. In fact, when asked to choose, 71% of voters prioritized building affordable homes over preserving traditional neighborhood character. 

The community acceptance of necessary change is widespread. Housing has emerged as voters’ top concern, ranking above cost of living, immigration, or taxes. And remarkably, this pro-housing sentiment crosses all demographic lines, spanning age, race, income, education, and homeownership status. These results come as Watertown considers new plans and priorities that can make a meaningful difference in housing affordability in the coming months.

Letters

OP-ED: Using Our Noggins — AI and Meme Coin

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Dear Editor,

Several weeks ago, a Microsoft update included an Artificial Intelligence (AI) software called CoPilot. In teletype fashion, Copilot depicted itself as being my personal AI Assistant. My first thought was a virus had taken over my laptop. I am familiar with help from Geek Squad where, depending on the service required, you must approve access to your computer. I may have overlooked a message; however, I did not recall seeing a prior message regarding implementation of Copilot. The Chat between Copilot (AI) is very similar to the exchange in purchasing an item online. My first communication or formal interaction was typing a question asking what is Copilot.

Letters

LETTER: Watertown Library Trustee Will Not Seek Re-election

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Barbara Biacnone (Sara’s mother), Library Trustee Sara Keary, and Tim Whelan (Sara’s step-father); This photo was taken in early September 2022 days after Sara’s mother and step-father moved from Pennsylvania to Watertown. Sara had accompanied them to get their library cards from WFPL. (Photo by Carey Conkey-Finn)

To the Watertown Free Public Library Board of Trustees, Library Staff, and Community Members,

After much reflection, I’ve decided not to seek re-election to the Watertown Free Public Library Board of Trustees. The past four years have been challenging and transformative-both personally and in my role as a trustee. Early in my term, the board faced a difficult leadership transition following the retirement of our long-time director.

Letters

LETTER: Chamber Supports Increasing City Council Compensation

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Dear President Sideris,

The Charles River Regional Chamber supports the Blue Ribbon Commission’s proposal to increase City Councilor and Council President compensation. Public service is demanding, often thankless work. If we want to continue attracting talented, diverse, and committed civic leaders, especially those who may not be independently wealthy or retired, we must offer compensation that at least begins to reflect the time, energy, and responsibility these positions require. Most importantly, improved compensation reflects the value of public service and strengthens our democracy by broadening the pool of individuals who can realistically serve. The commission’s recommendation is the result of a thorough data-driven examination of peer communities, taking into account the city’s budget and core responsibilities.

Letters

UPDATE – LETTER: City Council Should Pass Resolution in Support of Harvard

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UPDATE, June 7, 2025: Clyde Younger has started a resident’s petition to submit to the City Council. The petition is attached at the bottom of the letter. The letter was originally posted on May 29, 2025. Dear Editor,

Upon employment by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), my Supervisor in Los Angeles would quote, “an education can never be taken from you.” This occurred during a period when the U.S. Government did not undertake actions to prevent the general public from pursuing their educational interests.

Letters

LETTER: Preserve the Shade Trees on Mt. Auburn Street

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Dear Mr. Micieli:

Removing urban street trees to facilitate so-called road improvements for the movement of pollution-belching behemoths challenges science and common sense in our time of crisis climate change. Scientists have documented the public health harm from tailpipe emissions, which is reduced significantly by the proximity of trees. Consider that urban street trees provide a canopy, root structure, and setting for important insect and bacterial life, an environment for songbirds, and a food source for urban wildlife. The importance of combatting increased temperature from climate change cannot be dismissed. Street trees lower temperature in urban areas where concrete, brick, and asphalt heat islands capture sunlight absorbing it into the pavement.

Letters

LETTER: Demolition Delay Ordinance Needs Revising

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Dear Editor,

I write to express my dismay at some of the testimony at last night’s Committee on Economic Development and Planning. Council President Sideris was correct to bring this to the committee.  This ordinance needs extensive re-writing to remove substantial subjectivity and clarify scope. 

Councilor Piccirilli and Councilor Feltner constantly referred to the fuzziness of the ordinance.  Councilor Piccirilli also pointed out that this board may not have appropriate authority to make such impositions. This observation plus everything from the definition of which type of delay to what is considered historically significant and worthy of preservation points to a poorly crafted ordinance. 

Matt Walter from the Historic Preservation Commission disclosed that there is disagreement within the commission regarding the 50 year look back. I live in a house that was finished in Summer 1977 and there is nothing worth preserving for posterity — erected during the Summer of Sam?? It is so subjective. A 100 years look back, beyond the average human lifespan, seems more reasonable. As the City Manager said, he is no fan of the model ordinance which recommends this 50 year look back. Per the model, a neighborhood of similarly designed/built houses is seen as characteristically unique.

Letters

OP-ED: Watertown Budget 101: Where Does Our Money Come From?

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

A Quick Look at Watertown’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

I’ve been looking at ourFiscal Year 2026 Budget. First, I’d like to thank our City Manager for. presenting us with a very well laid out document. These are some of my observations and some questions that I’d like answered as we continue to look at this very lengthy and detailed document. Let’s look at some City departments that actually bring in revenue.