This week’s meetings include a discussion of reopening of the Watertown Schools to in-person learning, the Town’s Charter Review, and an update on designs for the new Watertown High School.
School Committee
The School Committee meets Monday, March 1 at 7 p.m., and the agenda includes an update on the reopening and an update on student learning time. A group of Lowell PTO members have written a letter asking the Watertown schools to open to all in-person learning (see the letter by clicking here).
Also, the School Committee will hear a presentation about social and emotional learning and health during COVID-19. Reports include a look at the draft 2021-22 school calendar. See the full agenda and info about how to tune in and participate by clicking here.
High School Project Changes
Architects will present the changes made to the design of the new Watertown High School made in response to comments from the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Requests included cutting the size of the proposed new school, proposed to be built on the current WHS site as well as the property across the street where the Phillips Building and the Senior Center are located.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Find out how to take part and tune in by clicking here.
Charter Review Committee
The discussion of the Town Charter continues Tuesday at 6 p.m. The Charter Review Committee will continue looking at the current charter and will get ideas from the Collins Center consultants about possible ways to change the charter to address issues brought up at prior meetings.
The discussion started at the February meeting, where the committee looked at the section addressing the legislative branch — the Town Council. See how to tune in and take part in the meeting by clicking here.
Other Meetings
Monday
The Town Council’s Committee of the Budget and Fiscal Oversight will make recommendations on the Fiscal Year 2022-26 Capital Improvement Program. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. See more info here.
The implementation of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan is on the agenda for the Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. See how to tune in and participate here.
Tuesday
The Town Council’s Committee on Human Services meets to discuss the reappointment of Dr. John Straus to the Board of Health. The meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Find out more here.
The Watertown Recreation Department’s Open Forum is at 7 p.m. See how to tune in and participate here.
Wednesday
The Conservation Commission will hear the annual report on Whitney Hill (the forested area above Victory Field), discuss a project at 580 Pleasant Street near the Charles River, and get an updated on Phase B of the Arsenal Park renovation project. See more information here.
Thursday
The Town Council’s Committee of the Budget and Fiscal Oversight will continue to discuss and make recommendations on the Fiscal Year 2022-26 Capital Improvement Program. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. See more info here.
The Superintendent’s Recommended FY22 School Budget will be on the agenda for the School Committee’s Budget & Finance Subcommittee at 6 p.m. Some of the areas to be discussed are: District administration, curriculum, technology, transportation and facilities. Find out more here.
The Watertown Biosafety Committee meets at 7 p.m. The committee will hear applications from Werewolf Therapeutics, the ALS Therapy Development Institute, Root Path and Prolacta Bioscience. See more details here.