Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/letters/page/5/)
Greetings Councilors:
Has your residence been subjected to the nonemergency (Click here) CIP Project 2 Sewer Rehabilitation [shut off]? Specifically, on a Holy Day (Good Friday & Passover), when your family is preparing for a weekend religious observance? Well …, welcome to the East End! Did you know: the news for folks, who reside on sections of Keenan St., Mt. Auburn St.
America has experienced nothing but chaos, suspected election interference from a foreign country, unrest, prejudges and the division of common people since Trump came down the escalator at the Trump Tower in New York City announcing his candidacy for President of the United States. I guess this discord laid dormant or underground for years; however, he has made it acceptable and Hell seems to have erupted. We are told that during his first term cabinet officials kept him in check from executing his wildest impulses. However, he has considered himself unfettered in his actions after the Supreme Court’s decision on July 1, 2024, granting him limited immunity. This ruling stated that presidents, including former ones, have immunity from prosecution for “official acts” carried out during their tenure.
Greetings:
Sometimes; residents express their thoughts and concerns on social media; inclusive of our much appreciated and respected, Watertown News. Through the years, I have learned that the public process only works when the powers that be hear directly from constituents; in documented communications. Nothing else counts! Take the initiative to make a difference. Participate in the open, public process.
To: Watertown Parks and Recreation SubcommitteeFor the past several months, I have been active as a resident to continue monitoring of items related to Parks, Recreation and Athletics for the Town of Watertown. More specifically, focusing on our recreation and athletic facilities as well as the policies which guide their use. I have attended meetings, shared documents, discussed issues by phone, email and texts with different levels of leadership, presented at the Open Forum time frame at the Council, School Committee as well as sharing major issues with the Commission on Disability, Traffic Commission and to your Parks and Recreation subcommittee. I have and will continue to be respectful, yet enthusiastic / determined in regard to this passion I have in hopes of making sure the leadership of Watertown makes the best decisions, is honest, informed, transparent, and eƯective with regards to our Recreation, Athletic and Park Facilities. Certainly, there have been many positive accomplishments over the years, but there have been many missteps, omissions, and poor decisions as well.
Dear Editor,
Shall we start a BELIEVE IT OR NOT WITH THE SECOND TERM
President Donald Trump introduced on April 3, 2025 a gold “Trump Card” Featuring his face onthe front. The $5 million “gold card” program is aimed at wealthy immigrants (note not Migrants) seekingU.S. residency. The announcement aboard Air Force One, offers “green card-plus” privileges toindividuals who invest $5 million in American businesses. It will replace the existing EB-5 visaprogram, which required lower investment amounts and job creation. The initiative is set to become available in less than two weeks.
By Linda ScottWatertown Resident
PART 3: Action Expresses Priorities (Mahatma Gandhi)
So, I went through the budget papers for Fiscal Year 2026. To make this a little shorter, I’ve abbreviated goals, etc. For the exact documents that I am outlining below, Click here and choose Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Policy Guidelines. An important note on transparency: I will be adding my opinions and questions to these pages. They’ll be in italics.
By Linda ScottWatertown Resident
PART 1: Watertown’s Days of Plenty
Over the last few years, there’s been a sort of “Boom town” attitude toward what we could afford here in Watertown. Despite the folks who said,”Don’t you think that we should slow down here? We’ve been here before, and this bubble is likely to burst sooner than later.” Those voices were drowned out and ignored. As one worried resident said, “When the downturn comes, it’s going to get ugly around here!”
You know when you have an uneasy feeling? Call it what you like … intuition, sixth sense, foreboding, “the jitters.” Well, lately I’ve been feeling uneasy and unsettled about the potential financial and policy direction of our City.
Greetings Councilors:
Has anyone noticed the cumulative monetary effects of all the new positions created within the City Administration? And yet; a second ambulance, for the well-being and safety of the citizens of Watertown, is in jeopardy of not materializing for the coming fiscal year budget. The last paragraph of the 03/06/25 Committee on Budget and Fiscal Oversight (BFO) Report states as follows:
“At the conclusion of the discussion, the Manager shared that there is uncertainty around the FY26 budget,…..He proposed that the Fire Department and Committee continue exploring the proposal, given the value of having an additional on-site ambulance service. However, he does not see this as a possibility for FY26 given where we are in the planning cycle, and the current forecast.” [Note: referral to BFO was made on 11/12/24]
So …, after the Council and City Manager hired over thirty new employees in two fiscal years: it seems as though the City is now in austerity mode. At the 2023 Memorial Day Parade; I spoke to several City Councilors. I strongly voiced my concerns against the then proposed increased level of new City hires, included in the FY 24 Budget.