Government

City Manager Seeks Residents to Serve on Stormwater Advisory Committee

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Stormwater Advisory Committee. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or other information concerning background or experience by email to citymgr@watertown-ma.gov or City Manager’s Office, 149 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472. Board/Commission/Committee:  Stormwater Advisory Committee

Description: The Stormwater Advisory Committee acts as an advisory body to the Superintendent of Public Works. The Committee will review and make recommendations on a new stormwater ordinance and related regulations being developed by the City; identify and advocate for stormwater funding through grants and other sources; develop educational programs to increase public awareness of stormwater management; and perform any other tasks relevant to assisting the Superintendent of Public Works with the implementation of best practices for stormwater management. The Committee shall also make an annual progress report to the City Council.

Government

Council Thanks Longtime Personnel Director on Her Retirement

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Gayle Shattuck

This week the City Council bid farewell to longtime Personnel Director Gayle Shattuck on her retirement after 19 years working for the Watertown’s municipal government. The City of Waterotwn sent out the following announcement, including the proclamation approved by the Council:

Congratulations to Gayle Shattuck on her retirement after serving as the City’s Personnel Director! Thank you for your 19 years of service and also for serving as the liaison on the Commission on Disabilities! Here is the Proclamation from the Watertown City Council:

WHEREAS: The quality of life and spirit in a community is enhanced by the commitment and willingness of an employee to give of her time and talents during employment; and,

WHEREAS: Gayle M. Shattuck is being honored by the City Council, the Administration, Colleagues and Community Members for her nineteen years of dedicated service to the Watertown community, and,

WHEREAS: Ms. Shattuck came to Wate11own with a long-standing tradition of serving others in both not-for-profit organizations and municipal public service: she served as the Central Middlesex ARC Program Director in Woburn, Massachusetts for fourteen years from 1980-1994, promoting and protecting the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and as a Human Resources Specialist for the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts for ten years from 1994 until 2004, directly responsible for personnel administration for all Town, Public Safety, and School Department employees; and,

WHEREAS: Gayle M. Shattuck was appointed by Town/City Manager Michael J. Driscoll as the Personnel Director for Town/City of Watertown on February 26, 2004, for which she discharged her duties professionally, faithfully, fairly, and honorably; and,

WHEREAS: During Gayle’s tenure, she served on various committees assisting the Administration and City Council on Screening Committees of Candidates, Budget and Bargaining Teams, and as the liaison for the Commission on Disability; and,

WHEREAS: Ms. Shattuck worked tirelessly in her understated manner to be a strong advocate to the Commission on Disabilities by developing policies and procedures, suppo1iing their mission to serve those affected with disabilities and their families; and she served consecutively up until her retirement on Friday, April 28, 2023; and,

WHEREAS: Gayle, in her retirement, can now enjoy her time with her beloved husband, Mark, and her two “favorite” sons, Brian and Derek as they continue to share her joy of traveling … “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey!”

Government

Comprehensive Plan to Include Focus on Local Business, Diversifying New Developments

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The revised draft of Watertown’s Comprehensive Plan will include some new additions and points of emphasis about supporting small businesses and seeking to diversify the local economy after the input provided by residents earlier this year. On Thursday afternoon, he Planning Advisory Committee heard about the public input from the open house in March, as well as online surveys and emails sent to the project team. They also learned about the process for the final approval of the Comprehensive Plan. Phil Schaeffing, the project manager with Stantec, said the input came from a room full of people during the March 9 open house at the Watertown Library, which was also attended by several people online. They received both spoken and written comments at the event.

Government

Petition to Reduce Size of Buildings Allowed in Watertown Square Sent to Planning Board

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The City Council voted to send the petition requesting that the allowable size of new buildings in Watertown Square be reduced to the Planning Board for consideration. Councilors did not weigh in on the request, and were told they were required by statute to send the petition on. The petition submitted with the signatures of more than 200 residents calls for the floor area ratio (FAR) be reduced from 4.0 to 2.2 in the Central Business District, which includes most of Watertown Square. FAR regulates and restricts the height, number of stories, and size of buildings. Other factors impacting the mass and height of the building include the allowable height, the required setbacks from property lines, and the amount of open space required.

Government

This Week: Council Discussing Whether to Rename for Delta in Watertown Square

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Watertown City Hall

This week, the City Councilors will discuss whether to rename the delta in Watertown Square. Also, the Affordable Housing Trust will look at housing priorities for the City’s ARPA funds, and the Board of Health and School Building Committee also have meetings this week. Since 1940, the grassy area with large trees in Watertown Square has been known as Columbus Delta. In June 2022, the City Council voted to consider renaming the area after being petitioned by a resident. On Tuesday, the Council’s Committee on Public Works will make a recommendation on the petition asking to the rename the Columbus Delta.

Government

Linkage Fee Approved by City Council, Developers Have Longer to Make Payment

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

The City Council approved a linkage fee on large developments that would be used to create affordable housing in Watertown. The ordinance also spreads the fees into two payments and the City can consider offers of housing units or land in lieu of the fee. Before they deliberated and voted, the Council heard from people advocating for changes to the proposed ordinance. Charles River Regional Chamber President Greg Reibman, who represented multiple developers who do business in Watertown, asked to delay the start of the fees until 2024, and phase in the amount starting with $5.56 per sq. ft.

Government

This Week: Main St. Project at Planning Board, School Budget & Council Considers Linkage Fees

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s City Hall. There are some big meetings this week, including the first time a City board will consider the major mixed-use project on Main Street. The School Budget will be presented by the Superintendent which currently faces a deficit of nearly $1.4 million. And, the City Council will discuss the proposed linkage fees on developments to create affordable housing. Superintendent Dede Galdston will present her recommended FY24 School Budget to the School Committee on Monday, April 10.

Government

Council Changes Conflict of Interest Rules to Try to Attract More People to Serve on City Boards

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A rule preventing anyone who is a “city employee” from appearing in front of any City committee or board had been limiting the number of candidates for volunteer boards, said City Manager George Proakis, so he asked the City Council to make some changes so they have more freedom under the conflict of interest rules. People serving on volunteer boards, such as the Planning Board, Conservation Commission or Licensing Board, will now be “special municipal employees.” They had been considered municipal employees, which led to some strict rules. “It makes it difficult to recruit and retain someone with certain areas of expertise,” Proakis said. “You may want someone with landscape architecture expertise to be on the Conservation Commission, but if they work for a firm that does a project in front of another board for other business – that is not allowed.”