City Council

Council to Look at Neighbor Notifications About Projects, Rodent Control Plan & Hiring Department Heads

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Watertown City Hall

After hearing from residents about not being informed about key meetings about development projects in Watertown, the City Council will discuss ways to improve communications with neighbors of such projects. The City will also work on creating a rodent control plan, and the City Manager will be filling three key positions. On Tuesday, City Council President Mark Sideris said that he heard from residents who were frustrated that they did not know about the proposed project at 148 Waltham St. “We it comes to development we put in place the requirement for community meetings, but one thing that came out, particularly with the Sterritt Lumber site — and I thank Councilor (Emily) Izzo for her efforts — but we don’t have a process with notifying neighbors when a hearing is coming up,” Sideris said. “We do notify the immediate abutters, but we can do a better job.

Around Town

See How Labor Day Impacts Trash, Recycling & City Amenities

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https://clipartix.com

The Labor Day holiday will impact trash and recycling, as well as City facilities such as City Hall and the Library. City officials announced that Watertown City Hall, the Watertown Free Public Library and the Senior Center will be closed in observance of Labor Day on Monday, September 5, 2022. Labor Day Trash & Recycling Schedule

The City also announced that due to the Labor Day holiday the trash and recycling pickup will be moved to Tuesday, September 6 through Saturday, September 10, 2022. Therefore, a home that normally has trash and recycling on Monday will be on Tuesday, those on Tuesday will be Wednesday, and so on. See more about Trash and Recycling here: https://watertown-ma.gov/738/Trash-and-Recycling

Government

Veterans, Seniors Can Apply for Property Tax Work-Off Program

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The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City is offering the Property Tax Work-Off Program to Watertown homeowners who are Veterans or aged 60 and older. This program allows for up to ten residents a $1,500 deduction from their property tax bill in exchange for 100 to 105 hours of work for a City department, from July 1, 2022 until March 1, (Based on $14.25 (2022) or $15 (2023) per hour State minimum wage for all positions.)

To qualify for consideration, applicants must complete the attached application and be:

• Age 60 or older and Retired; OR a Veteran

• Own and occupy the property for which the taxes are deducted

• Applicant’s skills must match those needed by the participating City departments. Past projectshave included: computer data entry, helping to run Zoom programs, answering phones,administrative tasks and projects for the Library, City Hall, Schools Recreation, Veterans orPublic Health Departments, or for the Senior Center. • The City gives preference to individuals whose annual income is 300% of the 2022 FederalPoverty level or less ($40,770 for single, $54,930 for married couple), and who are new to theprogram, and then other applicants will be considered if slots are available. Copies of most recentincome tax returns will be requested to verify income.

Around Town

Watertown City Hall, Senior Center & Library Closings This Weekend

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

Hours at some of Watertown’s municipal buildings will be impacted by Good Friday, Easter and Patriots Day. The City of Watertown sent out an announcement saying that City Hall and the Senior Center will close at 1 p.m. on April 15 in observance of Good Friday. Both buildings will be closed on Monday, April 18 for Patriots Day. The Watertown Free Public Library will be closed on Sunday, April 17 for Easter, and on Monday, April 18 for Patriots Day.

Around Town

Rotary Club Spreads Valentine’s Greetings to Seniors Through Service Project

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Rotary Club of WatertownMembers of the Rotary Club of Watertown, and some guests, wrote Valentine’s Day cards for seniors in town. Dozens of seniors around Watertown received Valentine’s Day cards thanks to the Rotary Club of Watertown. A group of four Rotarians, and two potential new members, gathered at Panera Bread one morning in January to write out cheerful messages for the recipients, said Lilia Weisfeldt, president of Watertown Rotary. “We created 100 personalized cards for local seniors,” Weisfeldt said. The cards were printed by one of the Rotary members, and delivered to the Watertown Senior Center by another member.

Around Town

Snow Day for Watertown Schools, City Hall & Other Buildings Opening Late

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Due to predicted snow accumulations, the City of Watertown Administrative Offices, the Watertown Free Public Library and the Senior Center will have a delayed opening at Noon (12:00pm) on Friday, January 7, 2022. Watertown Public Schools are closed on Friday, January 7, 2022 for a snow day. All offices are also closed. The Superintendent of Public Works has declared a Snow Emergency effective 12:01 AM, Friday, January 7, 2022. The Snow Emergency shall remain in effect until further notice.