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OP-ED: Two Different Outcomes of Property Revaluation in Watertown

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

A Tale of Two Streets

When Charles Dickens wrote his famous novel, A Tale of Two Cities, his intent was to highlight societal injustices, and with great effect he showed us the dichotomy between living very well and simply surviving. In Watertown, in many ways the seeds of rancor and discontent are being sown … no guillotines involved! Follow me on this journey, if you will. I’m calling this “A Tale of Two Streets.”

On December 2nd a very important and transparent government document was shared through the Watertown Assessors Office with the people of Watertown.

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LETTER: Time for City to Rein in Spending to Stabilize Property Taxes

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Greetings Councilors:

Today’s fragile economy cannot adhere to atax and spend mentality. Rein in spending to stabilize real estate taxes. Does every elected Watertown City Councilor understand the concept of working in the best interest of the electorate? Does everyone scrutinize the financial consequence on residents of Watertown, prior to, unanimous votes of approval? Or, is there a rubber stamp given to the Administration?

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LETTER: First Path Day Care Center Moved Into New Location on Boyd Street

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First Path Day Care Center relocated to its new home at renovated historical University Prints Building on Boyd Street in Watertown that is 0.5 mile away from its old location. For over a quarter of a century First Path Day Care Center has been providing affordable high quality child care services to the Watertown’s community. We are happy that First Path that was founded in Watertown in 1998 is staying in Watertown and will continue to serve the Watertown’s families. We are grateful to everyone in the community who supported First Path, our families and our teachers during the trying transition period. First Path’s last day of operation at the old location at 25 Whites Avenue was on Nov.

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LETTER: Reflection on the 2024 Presidential Election

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Dear Harris Supporters,

I write to you because you should be applauded. I also write to provide genuine analysis before the narrative is taken over by other entities, especially the media. I have crunched some of the numbers. Given top-line numbers, I can conclude that this was a vote against Biden’s foreign policy more so than a vote for Trump. Trump essentially got the same numbers of votes as he did in 2020 (it is a +0.1% change). Harris, at approximately 70 million votes, did not beat him or Biden’s numbers of 81 million votes. One held onto the base and the other did not. Trump’s base appears to be younger with some increase in POCs. It is still less female and less educated. Harris’ appears to have held onto the crossover votes of moderates and Republicans, who this time are more ideologically conservative and older. These mere shifts may not matter much since it is just a reshuffling as more people enter the registration pool.

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LETTER: Open Letter of Gratitude to Former WHS Coach John Barbati

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By Mark RoopenianWatertown High School 1976

Coach Barbati,

No one has impacted my life and who I am today more than you. You taught me toughness, perseverance, preparation, poise, work ethic, and most importantly, that nothing is impossible. You saw something in me that I didn’t even see in myself. How else could a skinny Armenian kid headed to Bates College get a full football scholarship to Boston College? Because you cared enough to put your hard-earned reputation on the line with BC Head Coach Joe Yukica.

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LETTER: Install Turf at Victory Field Oval, Field House Should be Part of Renovation

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Dear current and past friends of Watertown, as well as future families of all athletes! Phases 2 and 3 of the Victory field track, which includes turf in the oval, along with new tennis and basketball courts, are up for final consideration. Almost 20 years ago, I stood in front of the community along with Councilor Vinny Piccirilli and the full Council of Watertown expressing the importance and benefits of a field turf facility encompassing the football and baseball areas. The design and implementation of Phase 1 of the Victory Field complex has been nothing short of spectacular for our athletes, our physical education department, and for the recreational activities of the entire community. In addition, since the installation of the field turf in Phase 1, the technology and safety of the turf installed at that time have improved considerably.

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LETTER: What’s So Important About Preserving Big Urban Trees?

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Before and after photos. Submitted by Trees for Watertown

How is it that big urban trees play an absolutely vital role in protecting cities against climate change? And what can cities do to better protect these climate warriors? This is the message that Dr. William R. Moomaw will present at Watertown’s Free Public Library at Trees for Watertown’s annual meeting on Saturday, November 9 from noon to 2 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. The news is full of stories about the brutal impact of climate change around the world.

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LETTER: Reflection on Working Collaboratively in Watertown

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By Clyde Younger

Publicly notifying a Watertown’s Manager that I no longer have respect for him is unprecedented on my part. I believe the action requires an explanation since it represents an unusual sentiment; especially, from a former elected officer of Watertown. I know it appeared to some it came from left field; however, this transgression was not the first time on his part. 

Let me say bluntly, as a former elected official, I know the number of constructive and meaningful projects that I have participated in. Consequentially, I am not going to have someone come in the town and consider me irrelevant. Apparently, he has not taken time to know that I am not a Clarence Thomas. Further, I strongly believe any resident, voter or not, who has written a letter to those elected or appointed deserves, at minimum, an acknowledgement of receipt of a letter.