Government

First Drafts of Watertown Square Redesign, Changes to MBTA Discussed at Design Workshop

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Some of the preliminary sketches for a redesigned Watertown Square prepared by the consultants. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

All day, Wednesday, hundreds of residents gave their opinions about what they want Watertown Square to look like when it is redesigned, and the City of Watertown’s consultants showed some first efforts at ways to improve traffic flow, as well as the pedestrian experience in the area. Urban Designer Jeff Speck showed a packed room several options for ways to change the design of roadways in Watertown Square. Some included roundabouts, some opened the roadway around the Delta to all traffic (not just buses as it is now), and many altered the roadways leading into the Square. By eliminating some of the spokes going into the main intersection would make traffic lights simpler, said Ralph DeNisco, a traffic engineer from VHB.

Police/Fire

Watertown’s New Police Chief Announced by City Manager

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Watertown’s Justin Hanrahan has been named the new Chief of the Watertown Police Department. (Courtesy of the City of Watertown)

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City Manager George J. Proakis is pleased to announce the appointment of Watertown native Justin Hanrahan as the new Police Chief for the City of Watertown effective November 30, 2023. Hanrahan, currently a Captain in the department, brings 28 years of experience to the Watertown Police Department. As Chief, he will oversee nearly 80 sworn and civilian staff, providing police and emergency response services spanning four groups in a department with an annual operating budget of approximately $11 million. Hanrahan began his law enforcement career as a police officer for the City of Keene, New Hampshire, Police Department in 1995.

Around Town

Watertown Square Design Team Discuss Results of Surveys, Some Options for Redesign of Area

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Watertown’s three-day design charrette will tackle a big, tangled set of issues known as Watertown Square. The consultants hired by the City of Watertown have invited the public to come discuss what hey would like to see changed in the Square, and beyond, what they want to keep, and at the end of the three days will present some ideas for what the new square will look like. Hundreds of people showed up at the former Sasaki building, 64 Pleasant St., for the opening meeting Tuesday night. The Design Charrette continues there Nov. 29 and 30.

Government

Council’s Budget Priorities Include Supporting Small Business, the Climate & Energy Plan, and Education

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Watertown City Hall

The City Council finalized Watertown’s budget priorities for the next fiscal year which include focuses on small business, implementing the Comprehensive Plan and Watertown Square Area Plan, the City’s shuttle bus program, and more. Many of the same guidelines returned from the 2024 Budget Policy Guidelines, including street and sidewalk repair, a 3.5 percent increase in the education budget, rodent control, launching the 311 constituent services system, and reusing the former North Branch Library

Among the guidelines are the long-standing effort to seek economic development and this year it includes a new focus on “small business, retail corridors, and emerging industry clusters.” The guidelines also include a priority to implement the updates recommended in the Comprehensive Plan update, as well as the ongoing redesign in the Watertown Square Area Plan. That plan includes redesigning the intersection, increasing housing density, strategies for small business, and better use of City owned land. This would be done, in part, by enhancing “the capabilities of the Department of Community Development and Planning by adding resources and/or redeploying existing resources to achieve the goals of the Plans.”

Around Town

Charles River Food Co-op Marks Firsts, Looking for Locations for Store

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Nick Quaranto, president of the Charles River Food Co-op board, updates members at the first annual meeting. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The effort to open a food cooperative in the Watertown area reached some firsts recently, and progress toward opening a store is moving faster than other local co-ops. The Charles River Food Co-op was incorporated in April 2022, with a goal of opening a store primarily serving Watertown, Newton, and Waltham. On Nov. 14, the Charles River Food Co-op held its first annual meeting, and the organization recently held its first board election.

Government

See What Will be Discussed During This Week’s Watertown Square Design Charrette

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This week will be an important one for the shaping of the future of Watertown’s center, and many of the main business districts in town. The City of Watertown, working with a team of consultants, will conduct a three-day design charrette where they will seek input from the public about a variety of topics. All the events will take place from Nov. 28-30, 2023, at 64 Pleasant St., Watertown (the former Sasaki building). This is the same location as the kickoff presentation for the Watertown Square Area Plan in October where some examples of redesigns and the consultant’s philosophies were presented.

Around Town

Gore Place Appoints New Executive Director, Succeeds Longtime Head

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Photo by Gore PlaceThe mansion at Gore Place, can be seen during the annual Sheepshearing Festival. The following announcement was provided by Gore Place:

Gore Place, the historic house museum and farm in Waltham and Watertown announced on Nov. 20 the selection of Gavin Kleespies as its next Executive Director, effective January 2, 2024. Most recently, Mr. Kleespies served as the Director of Programs at the Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS) in Boston, Massachusetts. In this role, he specialized in public history programs and won two Leadership in History awards from the American Association of State and Local History.

Around Town

More Than 1,100 Take Part in 2023 Donohue’s Turkey Trot – See Photos!

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A runner wearing a turkey balloon runs down Nichols Avenue in the Donohue’s Turkey Trot 2023. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

People donning turkey hats, turkey balloons, even turkey costumes took to the streets of Watertown early on Thanksgiving day for the 2023 Donohue’s Turkey Trot. The runners sprint off the line at the start of the 2023 Donohue’s Turkey Trot. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

More than 1,100 people took part in the 18th annual 5K run and walk. Money raised by the event is donated to the Watertown Boy & Girls Club.