Around Town

Community Preservation Committee Recommends Funding Affordable Housing Project

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A rendering of the proposed Willow Park Housing development. An affordable housing project got a boost from the Watertown Community Preservation Committee, which voted to recommend that Community Preservation Act money be used to help fund the project in East Watertown. CPA funds come from a surcharge on Watertown property tax bills, and the money can be used for historic preservation, open space and outdoor recreation, and affordable housing projects. See details in the announcement from the CPC, below. At a special meeting on Dec.

Government

Residents Wanted to Serve on the Community Preservation Committee

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The City of Watertown seeks applications from residents seeking to serve on the Community Preservation Committee. See information below. City Manager George J. Proakis is inviting Watertown residents to apply for membership on the Community Preservation Committee. Interested applicants should complete and submit a Universal Application. The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) makes recommendations for the use of Community Preservation funds for initiatives related to open space, outdoor recreation, historic resources, and community housing.

Around Town

Community Preservation Committee to Hear Presentation on Willow Park Housing Development

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A rendering of the proposed Willow Park Housing development. Hear about the proposed Willow Park Housing development during the presentation to the Watertown Community Preservation Committee on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. See details below. Preservation of Affordable Housing and the Watertown Housing Authority will present their project to redevelop the Willow Park Housing development to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). You are welcome to join in-person or via Zoom with the link: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/91525442843

Read the Willow Park application here.

Around Town

Community Preservation Committee Holding Annual Public Hearing, Application Deadline Announced

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The City of Watertown announced the annual Community Preservation Act public hearing, and the deadline to apply for Community Preservation Act funds, which can be used on projects involving historic preservation, open space, and affordable housing. Community Preservation Act Annual Public Hearing

CPA Annual Public Hearing will continue in City Hall, in the City Council Chamber on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 7 p.m.

Don’t miss the CPA Annual Public Hearing hosted by the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). You may also join the hearing and meeting remotely via Zoom: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/91525442843. This event is a great opportunity to: 

Tell us your open space, outdoor recreation, community housing, and historic preservation priorities;

Hear more about CPA projects;

Learn how and when to apply for CPA funding; and

Get answers to your questions about CPA in Watertown. You may send questions or comments, in advance, to Lanae Handy, Community Preservation Coordinator, at lhandy@watertown-ma.gov .

Around Town

Community Preservation Committee Accepting Applications, Find Out How Apply

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The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

Interested in applying for CPA funds? Your first step is to complete a Project Eligibility Form to determine if your project is eligible for CPA funding. Project Eligibility Forms are due July 29, 2024. 

Sign up for CPA Clinic Hours  Learn how to turn a good idea into a successful project. If you have a notion for a project on city-owned property, get connected to the right city departments for permission and support. Find answers to all your questions about the application process and forms. 

Schedule an appointment during CPA Clinic Hours, listed below, for a phone call or in-person meeting:

June 21, 2023: 1:30-3:30 p.m.

July 6, 2023: 10:30-12 p.m.

July 10, 2023: 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Read the application instructions here. Contact Lanae Handy, Community Preservation Coordinator at lhandy@watertown-ma.gov or visit watertown-ma.gov for more information.

Around Town

Hear About Funded Projects & How to Apply at Community Preservation Act Public Hearing

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

SAVE THE DATE for the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Annual Public Hearing, hosted by the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). Watertown City Hall in the Lower Hearing Room, Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 7 p.m.

Or join remotely via Zoom: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/91525442843. Don’t miss this event for your chance to:

Hear more about the recently funded CPA Projects. Find out about the next steps for the Old Burying Ground and Common Street Cemeteries and the Commander’s Mansion Cultural Landscape projects. Tell us about your open space, outdoor recreation, community housing, and historic preservation priorities.

Around Town

CPA Projects: Walker Pond, Pavilion & Historic House Repair Approved; Mount Auburn Cemetery Request Rejected

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Courtesy of the City of WatertownThe pavilion that will be built at Saltonstall Park. The City Council approved funding for an ecological study at Walker Pond, building a pavilion at Saltonstall Park, and to help repair Watertown’s oldest home. They rejected a proposal to restore a historic memorial at Mount Auburn Cemetery. The four projects were brought forward as recommendations from the Community Preservation Committee to be paid for using money from the Community Preservation Act funds. The dollars in the fund come from a local property tax surcharge and state matching funds, and can be used on historic preservation, open space/recreation, and affordable housing.

Around Town

Restoration Underway for Historic Paintings from Watertown’s City Hall

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1930 geographical painting on treatment table at studio, in bottom section of its foam-core box. (Courtesy of the Historical Society of Watertown)

A group from Watertown recently visited the studio of the art restoration specialist hired to refurbish historic paintings that normally hang in the main entryway in Watertown’s City Hall. Joyce Kelly of the Historical Society of Watertown provided the following account:

The geographical paintings that usually flank the foyer at the main entrance to City Hall are currently in the studio of conservator Louise Orsini being refurbished. In 2022, the Historical Society of Watertown received a grant from the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) for the conservation of the two geographical paintings in the foyer of City Hall. The 5.5 x 7.5 foot paintings were installed when the building opened in 1932.