Government

List of Watertown Streets to be Repaired in 2017 Announced by DPW

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Several streets made the list for road repairs in 2017 presented by Department of Public Works officials and approved by the Town Council’s Public Works Committee. Each year, the town tackles road repairs on multiple streets around town. Watertown devotes $2.5 million to road and sidewalk repairs annually, but the money does not go just to the worst roads. Some on the list are among the most dire need of repair, others can avoid major problems down the line by doing some minor repairs now, said Rick Benevento, president of WorldTech, the town’s consultant for road projects. The DPW uses a pavement management system developed by WorldTech to come up with the list.

Department of Public Works

Two Spots Chosen for Demonstration Stormwater Retention Projects

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The Department of Public Works building and Hosmer Elementary School will have new installations that drain rainwater into the ground, rather than the town’s storm drains, and will serve as demonstration projects for what can be done around town. The search started with 22 potential sites for the demonstration projects, but that was cut down to 18 viable sites on property owned or controlled by the town. The Watertown Stormwater Advisory Committee met in September to pick two locations for the project. The group wanted to spots that would drain a significant area, be visible to the public and be located in different parts of town. The last criterium was the one that led to the Hosmer School location being chosen. The top two choices were in the parking lot of the DPW facility, and a spot at the bottom of the hill beneath Lowell Elementary School.

Department of Public Works

Council Changes Rules for Sidewalk Grass Strips, But Still Preferred

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The Department of Public Works will no longer be required to install planting strips when sidewalks are repaired or replaced. For years, the town’s sidewalk replacement ordinance had called for grassy area to be put in when sidewalks are replaced or repaired, but sometimes the strips became barren and would turn to mud, especially when the sidewalks are low enough for cars to park on. Councilor Angeline Kounelis said many people in her district town have complained about planting strips not working. “Residents in the East End have seen a tremendous impact with this policy,” Kounelis said. “Every time a panel (of sidewalk) is removed and replaced asphalt is removed and grass strips created.

Government

Public Works Director Discusses Winter, Goals for Next Year

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The Department of Public Works had a busy Fiscal 2015 dealing with record snow fall, and officials are preparing for more snow, and the many other areas the DPW deals with. 

Public Works Superintendent Gerald Mee discussed some of the goals and areas the DPW will work on during his budget hearing on Saturday. The Fiscal 2016 DPW budget – not including waste disposal or snow/ice removal – is $5 million, up $151,000 from the prior fiscal year (which ends on June 30, 2015). The waste disposal budget is $2.96 million and $1.16 million has been allotted for snow and ice removal, said Town Manager Michael Driscoll. Winter of 2015
The DPW dealt with a record 112 inches of  snow, compared to an average of 42 inches, Mee said. They had 35 events that required plowing and/or sanding and salting, including eight major plowing events, Mee said.

Around Town

Council Approves Town Building Renovations, Vehicle Purchases

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Watertown’s capital improvement plans will focus on repairs to the some schools, library, two fire stations and Town Hall, as well as purchasing new vehicles. Tuesday night, the Council approved the Fiscal 2016-20 Capital Improvement Plan Tuesday night. See the entire list of recommendations adopted by the council by clicking here. The Council is working on the Fiscal 2016 budget, which begins on July 1, 2015. But it also includes recommendations from Fiscal 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Letters

LETTER: Health Department Urges Residents to Keep Watertown Clean

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Along with the much anticipated snow melt and onset of Spring, we also anticipate the emergence of debris – paper, cans and bottles, snack bags and wrappers, and, unfortunately, uncollected dog waste – that has remained buried under the blankets, mounds, and banks of snow and ice. Help keep Watertown clean by removing all debris on your property, sidewalks, and other areas around your houses and businesses on a frequent basis as the melting snow exposes it. Assist elderly or disabled neighbors by removing debris on their property. Business and property owners, please clean around dumpsters and rubbish disposal areas and ensure that all debris is properly contained. Survey your dumpsters and rubbish containers for holes, cracks, and other damage that could result in leaks and spillage of waste into parking lots and on public ways.

Government

Watertown Hires Town Engineer for Department of Public Works

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After years without one, Watertown’s Department of Public Works again has a Town Engineer. On Tuesday, Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced the hiring of Matthew Shuman. He will start his new job as Town Engineer on June 23. Shuman comes to Watertown after working as assistant town engineer for the Town of Winchester. Before that he worked with the towns of Melrose and Bedford.