Government

LETTER: The Origins of the Latest Assault on the Watertown Winter Parking Ban

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

This will be a short one. About 10 months ago, this appeared on Reddit:

Watertown Winter Parking Ban update

TLDR: Watertown Councilor Tony Palomba is working to petition and amend the winter parking ban. Email him at councilorpalomba@gmail.com to sign the petition, share your feedback, and learn more. “Hi Folks, I am sending this email to those of you who have contacted me regarding the Winter Parking Ban (Ban) at some point in the last year and a half. My apologies of the long delay in coming up with a way to get this important issue in front of the City Council for a public hearing and vote.

Government

Council to Consider Ordinance Proposed to Make Large Buildings be Net Zero by 2050

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

Watertown will explore creating an ordinance requiring buildings to reduce their carbon emissions and will base it on similar ordinances adopted by other communities in Massachusetts. Work has already begun on drafting a Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance, or BERDO, with a proposed ordinance having been submitted by the Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee (WE3C). City Manager George Proakis told the City Council on Tuesday that creating a BERDO would “implement a key part of the City’s Climate Plan.” The Resilient Watertown Climate & Energy Plan was passed in 2022. “I have often said (the plan) has many ambitious but achievable goals to address our climate crisis and establish a process in our climate resiliency and climate adaptation, and we’ve worked very hard to do that in a number of different ways,” Proakis said. “What that plan did is also provide strategies to reduce carbon emissions for buildings and called out the necessity for building performance standard ordinance.”

Government

Woman Honored for Her 40+ Years Working for the City and Her Upcoming Retirement

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Surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues, Ingrid Marchesano celebrated her upcoming retirement from the City of Watertown after more than 40 years. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The City Council Chamber was packed with people recently, not for a government meeting but to celebrate a woman who has dedicated nearly half a century working for the Town (now City) of Watertown. Jan. 28 will be Ingrid Marchesano’s final day working for the City of Watertown. Before she left, on Dec.

Government

City Council to Discuss Winter Parking Ban at Special Meeting

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Watertown City Hall

The City Council will discuss whether to continue the Winter Parking Ban after receiving a petition signed by more than 800 residents. The public an provide input at the special meeting scheduled later this month. The City sent out the following information:

A Special City Council Meeting to discuss the Winter Parking Ban has been scheduled for January 21, 2025 at 6 p.m. This is a Public Hearing that has been scheduled following the City Council receiving a petition asking for the Winter Parking Ban be lifted. The Hearing will be held in the City Council Chamber in Watertown City Hall at 149 Main Street. The Hearing’s agenda will be posted soon.

Government

Meeting Posting: Public Shade Tree Removal Hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, 10 a.m.

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The City of Watertown provided the following notice (First published on Dec. 31, at 11:45 a.m.):

In accordance with Chapter 87 of the Massachusetts General Laws, a Public Shade Tree Removal Hearing will be held via Zoom

On: Tuesday, January 7th at 10:00AMAt: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/81211901286

This hearing is to consider the proposed removal of (1) one tree due to sewer reconstruction work. The species and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH)

One (1) Lacebark Elm (10”DBH)

Location: 547 Main Street

Requested by: Water and Sewer Department

Reason for hearing: Proposed removal due to sewer reconstruction work. Questions or concerns regarding this posting should be directed to the

Tree Warden’s office at (617) 972-6420 or email: mmicieli@watertown-ma.gov

Government

See When Councilor John Airasian Will Hold His Annual Meeting with the Public

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City Councilor John Airasian. All City Councilors must have an annual meeting to meet with the public according to the recent changes to the City Charter. City Councilor At-Large John Airasian announced the date of his meeting. See info below. Join City Councilor John Airasian at his Individual Annual City Councilor Meeting on Monday, January 6, 2025 from 6 – 7 PM in the Watertown Police Station Community/Training room, 552 Main Street, Watertown, MA.

Government

Meeting Posting: Public Shade Tree Removal Hearing on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, 10 a.m.

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The City of Watertown provided the following notice (First published on Dec. 19, at 4 p.m.):

In accordance with Chapter 87 of the Massachusetts General Laws, a Public Shade Tree Removal Hearing will be held via Zoom. On: Friday, December 27th at 10:00AMAt: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/81211901286

This hearing is to consider the proposed removal of (1) one tree due to sewer reconstruction work. The species and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH)

One (1) Lacebark Elm (10”DBH)

Location: 547 Main Street

Requested by: Water and Sewer Department

Reason for hearing: Proposed removal due to sewer reconstruction work. Questions or concerns regarding this posting should be directed to the

Tree Warden’s office at (617) 972-6420 or email: mmicieli@watertown-ma.gov

Government

2025 Watertown Property Taxes Rising, But Bills Still Lower Than 2022

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s City Hall. Property taxes will rise nearly 6 percent over last year, but will still be lower than they were in Fiscal Year 2022 (2021-22). On Tuesday, City Council approved a property tax rate with the maximum amount of the burden shifted from residential to commercial, industrial and personal properties, and the maximum residential exemption for owner-occupied homes. During the Property Tax Classification Hearing, the Council heard from people concerned about the rising taxes, as well as the recent five-year property revaluation process. Tax Bills

The Council got to choose the maximum exclusion for residential properties, either 33 percent (the same as last year), 34 percent, or 35 percent.