Government

Final Watertown Square Area Plan is Out Now, See More Here

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The City of Watertown released the final version of the Watertown Square Area Plan, which was endorsed by the City Council and Planning Board. Read the full version, which includes all the amendments and additions added during the July 16 public hearing by clicking here, and see some of the highlights in the announcement provided by the City, below. The Watertown City Council and Planning Board held three Public Hearings between June and July to discuss the Area Plan. After discussions among themselves and hearing from the public, the Council and Planning Board officially endorsed the Plan on July 16, 2024. 

What is in this Plan Document? Click Here to Read the Plan

Much of this Plan Document remains unchanged from the initial draft released on May 30, 2024.

Government

Residents Sought to Serve on Watertown Historical Commission

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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 Historical Commission. Interested applicants should complete and submit a Universal Application. The purpose of the Watertown Historical Commission is to preserve, protect, and advocate for the City’s historical and archaeological resources. The Commission’s responsibilities include promoting awareness of historic landmarks; recommending designation of new landmarks; implementing the Demolition Delay Ordinance; researching places of historic or archaeological value; conducting educational outreach to the community; and establishing long-lasting protection of these resources for future generations. The Commission cooperates with the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the State Archaeologist and renders opinions and recommendations to the City Council, City departments, and the public.

Government

Mail-In Ballots Will Start Arriving This Week

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The following information was provide by the City of Watertown:

Check your mail for any requested ballots that are delivered, starting this week. Residents who have not returned their 2024 census have been mailed Confirmation Cards to be signed and returned as proof of residency. Please complete and return them promptly! If you have any questions, call the City Clerk’s Office at 617-972-6486 and they will assist you.

Government

Learn About What the Governor’s Council Does at League of Women Voters Forum

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The following announcement was provided by the League of Women Voters of Mass.:

The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (LWVMA), in partnership with the advocacy organization Who Governs the Governor’s Council (WGCC), will host a Zoom event, “Who Governs the Governor’s Council?” to educate voters on what the Governor’s Council is and does, and how it affects the legal system on Tuesday, July 30, at 7 p.m. The public is invited to participate by registering here. The program will be moderated by Rahsaan Hall, President and CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, former Director of the Racial Justice Program for the ACLU-MA. Panelists are David Harris, Emeritus Managing Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice at Harvard Law School; Jean Trounstine, author, activist and professor who writes about the Governor’s Council and Parole for the Boston Institute of Nonprofit Journalism; and Nancy Bettinger, LWVMA criminal legal system legislative specialist. Modeled after the 2022 ACLU public education program, What a Difference a DA Makes, this event will explain the role of the Governor’s Council in lifetime judicial appointments, the Parole Board, and commutations and pardons. Register for the program here.

Government

New Fire Boat, Welcoming New Police Pup, Search for Chief Information Officer

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Raider, the Watertown Police Department’s new comfort dog, and Officer Anna Margaryan. (Courtesy of the City of Watertown)

The City Council had a special visitor at last Tuesday’s meeting, and also approved funding for the Fire Department’s new boat, and discussed how to replace the outgoing director of information technology. Fire Boat

The City Council approved transferring $54,000 from other Fire Department accounts into the Fire Department Equipment Capital Account to pay for a new boat that will be used on the Charles River. The boat, known as Marine 1, will replace one that dates back to 2000, said Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. “In the summer months we put Marine 1 in water at the Watertown Yacht Club,” Nicholson said.

Government

Reconstruction of Morse Street Approved by City Council

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One of the longer streets on Watertown’s Southside will soon begin to be reconstructed after the City Council approved funds for the project on Tuesday. The City Council approved the borrowing of $2 million to cover a portion of the $2.6 million project, said City Manager George Proakis. The rest will be covered by funds set aside by the City for other street and sidewalk capital projects. The Morse Street project is part of the Long Streets and Connector Road Program. Morse Street will be totally reconstructed, with a new 24-foot-wide roadway and 5-foot-wide sidewalks on both sides, said Watertown Public Works Superintendent Greg St.

Government

Next Watertown Square Area Plan Hearing Set for July 16

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The City of Watertown provided the following information:

The Joint Hearing to discuss the Watertown Square Area Plan will continue on July 16, at 6 p.m. in the Watertown Middle School Auditorium at 68 Waverley Avenue in Watertown. This is a continuation of the Joint Hearing held on June 13 and June 27 in the same location. 

This Hearing will be a hybrid meeting, meaning you will have the opportunity to participate virtually on Zoom or in-person. You will also be able to watch the Hearing live online on WCA-TV. 

Access the Plan Document, Q+A Sheet, Hearing’s Recordings, and the June 13 Hearing’s Presentation

We encourage everyone to visit the project website to learn more and to access the plan document. Printed copies of the Plan Document can be found at the Watertown Library and Senior Center. The City of Watertown has also developed a packet of responses to questions about the Watertown Square Area Plan that have been collected from the previous Hearings. If you missed it, we encourage all to watch the recordings of the June 13 and June 27 Hearings, as well as access the slide presentation given by the Project Team about the Plan Document. For more information about the project, or to ask a question about the Joint Hearing, please visit the project website. 

You can also contact the City by dialing 311 in Watertown or by calling 617-715-8660. https://www.watertownmanews.com/2024/07/01/city-council-planning-board-weigh-in-on-watertown-square-area-plan

Government

See How Much Water & Sewer Rates Will Increase This Year

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The City Council approved the water and sewer rates on Tuesday, which will be rising, but they would have been higher if not for an earlier decision. Water and sewer bills will be rising by 3.5 percent for Watertown residents and other customers. A residential customer who uses 4,000 cubic feet of water will see an increase of $26.87 per quarter. The rate for 100 cubic feet of water for tier 1, which is most single family homes, is $5.68 for water, $11.46 for sewer, and $17.14 combined. Despite the increase, City Manager George Proakis said the rate hikes have been higher in recent years, and it is below what had been forecast.