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LETTER: Another Look at Question 2 – Reasons to Vote “Yes”

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Dear Neighbors,

We are Watertown residents and educators working in neighboring school districts (Belmont and Newton) asking you to consider these reasons for voting Yes on Question 2 this election. Question 2 proposes removing the MCAS graduation requirement for high school students. MCAS is a set of standardized tests the state uses to monitor public school performance in Massachusetts. Students are tested in grades 3-8 and 10, and sometimes 9, in English, math, civics and science. Question 2 does not eliminate MCAS.

Around Town

LETTER: Is Watertown in Balance?

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Are We in Balance? Balance: “An even distribution of weight, enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.” Oxford Languages

I was reading a Watertown News article entitled: “Life Science Building Could Potentially Go on Part of the Home Depot Parking Lot” and the comments that ensued and felt the need to write. As usual, it got long! Balance in Bio Lab Development

First, thanks, Corey Dillon for the list of labs that are empty and/or underutilized at this time. May I add to your list with other lab spaces in Watertown?

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UPDATED – LETTER: Watertown Resident Evaluates Ballot Questions

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By Matt Lashof-Sullivan

Hey Watertown neighbors. Another election season is approaching and so it’s time for everyone to decide how they are going to vote this November. For many years I have sent out voting information and a list of endorsements for our local elections to my friends and immediate neighbors. This year, I decided to share them with a larger group, so I hope you find this helpful. How to Vote

To vote in person, go to your polling place on November 5th. 

We can all also vote by mail again, and you can still request a mail-in ballot until October 26th by using this form or otherwise by sending a letter to the city clerk.

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LETTER: A Plan to Spur Affordable Housing in Watertown Square

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Throughout the Watertown Square planning process, one concern was raised above all others: the urgent need for more affordable housing. We heard this again and again, in public remarks and written testimony, from residents across the political and socioeconomic spectrum. We have been calling for improvements to the Plan’s approach to affordable housing since the spring. With the unanimous passage of the Watertown Square Area Plan and the release of a draft zoning proposal from our city planners, Watertown’s elected officials now have an opportunity to address the primary concern of its residents. They have a directive to implement policies that can effectively and rapidly generate new affordable housing.

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LETTER: Thank You to Marilyn Petitto Devaney for Her Service

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Dear Editor:

I am writing to join those in thanking Marilyn Petitto Devaney, for her Fifty years plus of service as Town Meeting Member, Original Charter Commission Member, Watertown Town Council Member, Governor’s Councilor and Member of the Commission on Disabilities, to Watertown and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I knew Marilyn loved her community. We often observed her going to just about every Wake in town. This was because growing up here she knew everyone. That is where the name Townie came from. People were either related to each other or had strong relationships with Neighbors.  I learned to watch how I say something. One may say I am talking about Uncle, Aunt and or Cousin. We are taught to be sensitive to the feelings of all people. I met Marilyn in the 1970’s when she was a Town Meeting Member.

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LETTER: State Legislature Should Go Back Into Session and Pass Multiple Bills

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I was excited this year for our state to finally have a Democratic governing trifecta, with a Democrat leading in all three offices of Governor, Senate, and the House. However, this trifecta has been much less productive in passing legislature than I expected. As has become the norm on Beacon Hill, the House and Senate ran out the clock on many important priorities, adjourning on the morning of August 1st with a long list of unfinished business. After the hottest summer on record, they didn’t manage to pass a climate bill. Several other bills, among them economic development bills and bills to address the Steward crisis, are stuck in potentially dead-end negotiations, and that’s not to mention all the common-sense bills that never even made it that far.

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LETTER: Resident Seeks Help Recovering Lost Items

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Dear Watertown MA News,

Please see the attachment (at bottom) and brief summary regarding a recent incident at 48 Bridge street in Watertown, Ma 02472 In May 2024. I am avidly looking to recover these items, and asking for help if anything has showed up? Thank you for your service in the community of victims suffering loss to theft. SUMMARY:

My items were placed at the outside walkway of 48 Bridge St., Watertown, MA 02472 momentarily on the morning of Thursday, May 16, 2024 around 9:45 a.m.

Unfortunately I was brought to Mt. Auburn Hospital in an ambulance and my property was left at the strangers outside walkway by accident.

Around Town

LETTER: Green Infrastructure Must be Part of the Watertown Square Area Plan

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The following letter was submitted to be read at the June 13, 2024 Watertown Square Area Plan meeting:

Dear Vincent, Watertown Planning Board, and Watertown City Council:

I am sorry I cannot attend in person this evening, so I hope that this can go on the Public record as my comment:

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First, I just want to say that I have been excited to hear about the plans for Watertown Square to develop the area — much-needed improvements in public transportation, walkability, bike-ability, drive-ability, housing, local businesses, and our community as a whole, and I can say that the people of Watertown have very much appreciated your including the residents in the planning process. We have had the chance to voice our concerns, and we are grateful for that. 

Thank you to all of those who are working to make this the best plan for Watertown. I realize there is momentum to give the plan a GREEN light. However, please hear me out when I say tonight that I think that as good as this plan is, there is still a huge, critical piece that is missing and a means to make this plan much better for the future of Watertown. I hope that with my speaking up tonight, members of the Planning Board and City Council, and hopefully also any residents of Watertown who are listening, will consider taking the necessary steps to further optimize the plan to encompass that which is missing: 

Urban Ecological Planning and Living Green Infrastructure.