Government

Tweaks to Watertown Square Zoning Map Discussed by Planning Board, Council

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The City Council and Planning Board got down to the details of the proposed new Zoning Map for the Watertown Square Area on Tuesday night, suggesting some changes to the proposal including allowing taller buildings in some spots, more modest ones in others, and keeping the Delta “green.” The third night of hearings included an extended discussion of the zoning map by the Planning Board, as well as continuation of questions from the City Council and some public comments. The City Council finished their question time, but the Planning Board will continue its hearing Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m in City Hall with remote participation (Click here for the agenda and links). They will make a recommendation that will be considered by the City Council at its hearing on Nov.

Government

Affordable Housing, Galen Street Among Watertown Square Zoning Topics Debated by Council & Planning Board

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The City Council and Planning Board got a chance to dig into the details of some key areas of the proposed Watertown Square Zoning, including affordable housing incentives, the zoning on Galen Street, the definition of a family and a household, and Accessory Dwelling Units. The joint hearing held at City Hall lasted more than three hours on Thursday night. This was the second hearing on the proposed zoning changes. The first one was held on Oct. 16 when the zoning was introduced by the City’s Department of Community Development and Planning, and a third one will be held Tuesday.

Government

Council’s Decision on Future of Watertown Middle School Will Impact FY26 Budget

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Watertown Middle School

Watertown has three new or renovated elementary schools and in 2026 the new high school will open, but Watertown Middle School has not been significantly changed since the 1990s. The City has multiple options for how to renovate the school on Waverley Avenue, City Manager George Proakis said, but one of the more compelling ones is time sensitive. Proakis posed the question of how to deal with the Middle School, and several others, to the City Council during his Fiscal Year 2026 Preliminary Budget presentation because he said it could impact how the budget is created. The preliminary budget figure for the City is $214,668,761, and currently there is a shortfall of $335,895 to reach that number, Proakis said. The deficit will be made up either with additional revenues or cutting the overall budget.

Government

Discussion of What’s Going on With the Legislature in Watertown

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Massachusetts State House

The following announcement was provided by Progressive Watertown:

WBUR characterized the end of the 2023-2024 MA legislative session as “a showcase of dysfunctional governance that was [as] demoralizing as it was infuriating to witness.” “Deeply broken” was a headline in the Boston Globe. Activists are boiling over with frustration! What’s going on? Why does the MA legislature pass so few bills? Why couldn’t MA pass a climate bill after the hottest summer on record?

Government

Early Voting for the 2024 Election Begins on Saturday

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Registered Watertown voters can cast their ballot early on 14 days leading up to the November election. See the details provided by the Watertown City Clerk’s office. The State Election is Tuesday November 5, 2024 from 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM. In Person Early Voting will be held at City Hall, located at 149 Main Street, in the Philip Pane Lower Hearing Room on the ground floor, on the following dates and hours:

Saturday, October 19, 2024: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Sunday, October 20, 2024: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Monday, October 21, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Tuesday, October 22, 2024: 8:30am – 7:00pm

Wednesday, October 23, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Thursday, October 24, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Friday, October 25, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Saturday, October 26, 2024: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Sunday, October 27, 2024: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Monday, October 28, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Tuesday, October 29, 2024: 8:30am – 7:00pm

Wednesday, October 30, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Thursday, October 31, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Friday, November 1, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Read more about voting by clicking here.

Government

City Won’t Need a Redevelopment Authority to Transform Parking Lots in Watertown Square

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The area of the Watertown Square Municipal Parking Lot, shown in grey and the adjacent yellow buildings, can be redeveloped under the powers given to the City Council in 1987. The graphic is from the Watertown Square Area Plan meetings. Watertown will be able to redevelop the municipal parking lot in Watertown Square without creating a Redevelopment Agency, City Manager George Proakis told the City Council this week. On Tuesday, Proakis confirmed that the City Council has been given the powers of a Redevelopment Agency (sometimes called Authority) through a special act of the Legislature. He first brought up the potential at a meeting of the Economic Development and Planning Committee on Sept.

Government

Watertown Square Zoning Meetings to Begin Oct. 16, See New Dates & Agenda

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City Council and Planning Board Joint Hearings to discuss the Watertown Square Area Plan zoning amendment will begin on October 16, 2024 in the Watertown Free Public Library. NEW placeholder dates have been set in the case the Public Hearing is continued. Please see the updated dates below! When is the Joint Public Hearing on Zoning? October 16, 2024 at 6:30 PM in the Watertown Public Library at 123 Main Street.