District A Council Candidates Respond to East End Neighbors Issues

The East End Neighbors group submitted the following responses from the candidates for District A Town Councilor.

District A has two candidates running for District Councilor in Tuesday’s Nov 3 Election. Angie Kounelis, Current District A Councilor and Bob Erickson, former town Veteran’s Agent. We asked East Enders for questions they would like to pose to the candidates and consolidated these into 5 questions. Candidates answers are on the following pages.

Angeline Kounelis

DEVELOPMENT There is widespread concern about recent and future development impacting the East End’s livability, specifically around traffic congestion, the capacity of the 71 bus, trees, green infrastructure ,community spaces to congregate and meet, and housing that is affordable to those of all income levels. Pick one or two of these issues that you think are most important and explain how as a Town Councilor you would have an impact.

Balance between development, traffic, congestion and quality-of-life for residents is the paramount task. Development and traffic congestion must be viewed on a contiguous basis and not piecemeal; just as was undertaken for the 65 Grove Street development. The Cresset Group and the Atrium School worked to create a vehicular circulation plan that worked for the neighborhood. I was part of the process. Effective with the FY 2010 Budget Policy Guidelines, I brought forward the request to include mitigation monies for larger scale projects. Developers must re-invest in improvements to infrastructure and traffic impacts associated with their developments. I will continue to offer guidance and work collaboratively with my constituents and developers to seek stable neighborhood environs.

For several years I have lobbied to increase the owner occupied real estate tax exemption from 20 percent to 25 percent. Boston and Cambridge are at a 30 percent exemption. A Home Rule Petition has been filed with the Mass. General Court. If approved, a vote of the Town Council could be taken in 2016. I recently supported the initiative to increase the affordable housing requirement for residential development over five units requiring a special permit from 10 percent to 12.5 percent. The formula for on-site requirements or monetary contributions to the Affordable Housing Fund is outlined in the Watertown Zoning Ordinance, section 5.07. It is incumbent on all property owners to do their fair share to promote affordable housing.

The amount of $130,000 has been appropriated for various transportation initiatives inclusive of establishing a Transportation Management Assoc. (TMA). The TMA will be responsible with reviewing the implementation of shuttle bus routes to reduce the demand for private vehicles and enhance public transportation.

I have and will continue to advocate for improved MBTA service in our community. Even if the MBTA and MassDOT have specifically stated to me that all contact should be funneled through our State elected officials. It must be noted, in FY16, the Town of Watertown is being assessed $2,119,774 by the MBTA, and still, the commuters continue to be displeased with the service on the No. 71 and No. 73 Trackless Trolly service.

The Town’s tree canopy has been substantially enhanced in recent years. For the past several fiscal years, I have supported the appropriation of $65,000 for the planting of trees and shrubs. New sidewalks are required to have cut-outs for proper tree root expansion and growth. The tree warden has suggested tree species that are more tolerant of the stress from the winter season and urban abuse. Developers are required to submit landscaping plans, inclusive of the planting and maintenance of street trees. I have been and will continue to support the ongoing efforts for the greening of Watertown.

The Watertown Traffic Commission has taken the compromise approach to the enforcement of parking regulations. All night parking is not permitted, but is only enforced from November to April. I support the position taken by the Commission as means of regulating the number of vehicles per property. With the influx of roommates, one dwelling could have in excess of four vehicles. In the same manner, residential one and two hour parking limits are meant to deter commuters from infiltrating the neighborhoods.

When the new Zoning Enforcement Officer was hired in 2011, it was my understanding the duties would be revised to include more pro-active enforcement. Before costly new positions are created, existing positions should be reviewed to consider modified and possibly overlapping responsibilities. Enforcement areas must also be defined.

When the Pleasant Street Corridor Study was submitted, the records will support, I questioned the creation of a cavernous tunnel. The result is obvious, not everyone is pleased with the developments that have evolved, including myself.

Pets are cherished family members. Attempts should be made to accommodate the wants of all residents. I also inquired if a Dog Park would be possible at the GSA property. The conversation will continue when DCR seeks input for subsequent use of the parcel.

Bob Erickson

DEVELOPMENT There is widespread concern about recent and future development impacting the East End’s livability, specifically around traffic congestion, the capacity of the 71 bus, trees, green infrastructure ,community spaces to congregate and meet, and housing that is affordable to those of all income levels. Pick one or two of these issues that you think are most important and explain how as a Town Councilor you would have an impact.