Government

State Legislature Allowing Watertown to Charge Developer Fees to Fund Affordable Housing

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Wikimedia Commons / ChensiyuanMassachusetts State House. City officials will be able to charge new developments a fee that would go toward creating affordable housing in Watertown after receiving approval from the state level. The City Council requested special legislation to be passed that allows them to charge linkage fees of up to $18 per square foot for commercial projects over 30,000 sq. ft. that require zoning relief.

Government

Five Members of Residents Advisory Committee Appointed

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

City Manager George J. Proakis is pleased to announce the establishment of Watertown’s first Residents’ Advisory Committee. The Residents’ Advisory Committee, as required by Section 3-7 of the new city charter, is designed to “assist with recruitment, evaluation and selection of candidates for appointment to multi-member bodies.” As noted in the charter, the committee and the City Manager will work together to “actively encourage a diverse pool of applicants for (these) multiple-member bodies.”

The City Manager has formed a five-member committee to serve in this role. He has appointed the following individuals to this committee. All members of the committee are residents of Watertown:

J. Elizabeth Cremens: Ms. Cremens is a retired Associate Justice of the Massachusetts District Court. Ms. Cremens has served in a number of volunteer roles in non-profits and local government.

Government

Residents Wanted to Fill Two Seats on Zoning Board of Appeals

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking two residents to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals. One full member for a five-year term and one alternate member for a two-year term. The Zoning Board of Appeals grants all special permits and variances needed for certain construction and development projects. Candidates should have knowledge of M.G.L. Chapter 40A, the Zoning Act, as well as architecture, engineering, landscape design, construction, planning, law, or related field. Board meets once a month, usually the last Wednesday of each month; special meetings, as required.

Government

Finalists for City Auditor Will be Interviewed at Council Meeting

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Two finalists for the City Auditor will be interviewed by the City Council this week at a special meeting. The Council will hold the interviews at a public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be both in person in the Council Chamber in City Hall and remote. The finalists are Donna Tuccinardi and Charles Doherty. They will be taking over from long-term City Auditor Tom Tracy, who retired in 2022 after working in Watertown for 30 years.

Government

How to Spend Federal ARPA Funds Will be Discussed by Council Budget Committee

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Watertown City Hall

The City of Watertown will receive several million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and the City Council’s Committee on Budget and Fiscal Oversight will be discussing what to do with the funds. Watertown will receiving approximately $10.5 million of ARPA funds, according to an estimate by the Massachusetts Municipal Association. The money could be spent in a number of areas, including public health, water and sewer infrastructure, public broadband networks, paying essential workers, and making up revenue lost due to the pandemic. The Council has already heard a recommendation from the Department of Public Works to spend half of the money on water and sewer infrastructure to make improvements and also keep rates down in future years. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan.

Government

Arsenal Street Renovation Will Go Through Mid-2024, Bids Requested

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A section of Arsenal Street on the east end of the major roadway in Watertown has been redesigned and will be repaved. The project is expected to run though mid-2024. The call for bids put out by the City of Watertown on Dec. 22 is for a project including the reconstruction includes 3,422 feet of roadway from Arsenal Way to Greenough Boulevard, and will install traffic signals at four locations. The full depth of the roadway will be replaced, and granite curbing and cement sidewalks will be installed.

Government

City’s Winter Newsletter: FlashVote, City Census, Motor Excise Tax & More

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The City of Watertown sent out the Winter Newsletter with information about a variety of City programs and departments, including the Library, the City Census, and FlashVote. FlashVote

Do you have one minute a month to help make Watertown better? Join your friends and neighbors and make your voice heard on important local issues. Its free, fast and fun — you’ll get a short 1-minute survey every few months and you’ll get to see full survey results within 48 hours! Plus, FlashVote makes sure your feedback is always anonymous.

Government

See Which Roads Will Be Repaired in 2023, Condition of City’s Roadways Declining

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Six roads made the City’s road repair list for 2023, and another will be part of the longer-road program. City Councilors also heard a report of a meeting where the Department of Public Works said the City’s road rating had dropped. Repair List

On Dec. 13, the City Council approved the funding for the annual road repair program, as well as longer street projects in future years. Roads that will be repaired in 2023 are: Bates Road, Bates Road East, Essex Street, Nash Street, Francis Street and Bradshaw Street.