Snow Shoveling Program Applications – The Department of Recreation and Council on Aging Snow Shoveling Program Applications for both our seniors, middle school and high school students are included in this communication.
If you are a senior citizen and are requesting shoveling assistance, please fill this form out. Senior Citizen – Snow Shoveling Application Form.
If you are a middle school or high school student from Watertown and are interested in participating in this service, please fill this form out Middle School – High School Snow Shoveling Participation Form.
Both documents are fillable. Return to recreation@watertown-ma.gov or to the Watertown Recreation Department in the City Hall ground floor at 149 Main Street.
If you have questions, concerns, or comments, please contact the recreation department at 617-972-6494 or recreation@watertown-ma.gov.
Community Forum on Community Health and Human Services Assessment. (PLEASE ATTEND – THIS EFFORT IS SOMETHING I and OTHERS HAVE ADVOCATED FOR DURING THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.)
The City of Watertown is hosting a Community Forum on Health & Human Services at the Watertown Free Public Library (123 Main St.) at 6:00pm on January 29, 2024, and we encourage all residents to join! Please attend and share your opinions about the City of Watertown’s health and human service needs and strengths in this facilitated discussion to help Watertown become a healthier community for all! You can also participate on Zoom or watch the event broadcasted live! Please find those links and more information about the event here: Health & Human Services Study Webpage.
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Our local election is Tuesday, November 7 and the polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. There is also early voting at City Hall in the Philip Pane Lower Hearing Room on the Ground Floor of City Hall. The dates are:
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 4:40 PM
Wednesday, November 1, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 4:40 PM
Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 8:00 AM to 4:40 PM
You can also vote by mail by requesting a ballot by mail. The deadline to do so is November 3rd. You can find this information and much more at https://www.watertown-ma.gov/283/Election-Voter-Information
Here are the poll locations:
Precinct
1Hellenic Cultural Center29 Bigelow Avenue
2Hosmer School1 Concord Road
3Hellenic Cultural Center29 Bigelow Avenue
4Phillips School30 Common Street
5Phillips School30 Common Street
6Hibernian Hall151 Watertown Street
7Watertown Middle School68 Waverley Avenue
8Watertown Middle School68 Waverley Avenue
9Watertown Middle School68 Waverley Avenue
10Watertown Police Station552 Main Street
11Cunniff School246 Warren Street
12Cunniff School246 Warren Street
While the At-Large and District City Council races, as well as the Library Trustee race, are uncontested, there is a competitive race for City Council President and for School Committee.
City Council President
Clyde Younger is challenging incumbent Mark Sideris for the position of City Council President. I will be voting for Council President Sideris. There is so much to say about Mark and what he has done as the President of the City Council for the last 14 years. He has guided the Council through major initiatives, including the 2020/2021 Charter Review and the hiring of our new City Manager and Auditor. While some were doubtful it was possible, Mark led the charge to guarantee our two new elementary school are net-zero and that our new high school will also be net-zero. I feel honored to be able to vote for him again this election.
School Committee
I have been approached by two of the five candidates running for School Committee who have asked that I endorse their campaigns. I have spoken to both of them and feel they would be excellent additions to the School Committee. I wholeheartedly endorse and will use two of my three votes on November 7 to vote for Rachel Kay and Lisa Capoccia.
Rachel Kay is a single mother of a Lowell student, a committed advocate for students and public education, and a data scientist by profession. She has served on the board of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) and is a member of City’s Commission on Disability and a board member of World in Watertown. She is deeply committed to accountability and transparency and to guaranteeing that everyone has a voice at the table. She believes in the value of data to shape programs that successfully serve students. The School Committee, students, and parents will benefit from Rachal’s volunteer experiences, her commitments, and her skills as a data analyst. I urge you to vote for Rachel.
Lisa Capoccia is a parent of a Lowell School graduate and for ten years has been a advocate for students, families and staff in the District. As a social worker and adjustment counselor in the Newton Schools, Lisa knows the challenges that students face and the programs and practices that can help them move through those challenges. She believes that everyone benefits – students, teachers, and administrators – from creating an environment that values equity and inclusion. Equally important she is a known as a listener and problem solver. Everyone will benefit if Lisa serves on the School Committee. I urge you to vote for Lisa.
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The Comprehensive Plan is One Step
from Final Approval
On Monday, July 10 the Committee on Economic Development and Planning received and reviewed the final draft of the Comprehensive Plan. Click here to view it. The final draft incorporated many of the comments and suggestions from the March 9, 2023 Visioning Forum held at the Watertown Free Public Library and attended by 105 residents. It also reflected some of the comments from the 110 residents who completed a survey that was open from March 9 to March 24, as well as comments from five residents who sent emails and from Watertown Faces Climate Change, Watertown’s Environmental & Energy Efficiency Committee, Trees for Watertown, Bicycle-Pedestrian Committee, Live Well Watertown, and Watertown TMA. I also submitted comments specifically asking that there be an additional subheading to Goal 7 – Support community wellness through inclusive programs and events, diverse arts and culture, enhanced natural and historic resources, and livelier public and private spaces. While recognizing the importance of the arts, natural resources, and access to public and private space as critical for community wellness, I felt what was left out of the definition of community wellness was “the presence of health and human services that provide what is needed to live a full, healthy, and productive life whether that be health care, food security, job training, employment services, or affordable housing”. Thus I suggested a subheading of “Health and Human Services” and suggested that we reorder some of the specific action items to appear under this topic and to add additional action items. The Committee did not accept all of my suggestions, though they incorporated some of them. There is no date set for when the Committee will make a report to the full Council. Eventually there will be joint meeting of the Planning Board and the City Council to vote on the Committee’s recommendation. Please keep an eye on the Calendar section of the City’s website for when the meeting will take place.
Thirty-on Proposals Have Been Submitted.
What are They and What’s Next?
During a 2 month window, city departments, community organizations and individuals were invited to submit proposals for use of the $10.5 million that Watertown has available from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). There were four general categories, of which three are relevant to Watertown on how the funds could be spent.
1) Responding to the public health and impact of the pandemic.
2) Providing premium pay to essential workers.
3) Providing government services to the extent of revenue loss. (Watertown did not experience revenue loss so this does pertain to us.)
4) Making investments in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.
The 31 proposals that were submitted were to consider the Guidelines for Submitting ARPA Proposals and Criteria for Assessing ARPA Proposals that were developed by the Council’s Committee on Economic Development and Planning. Per the federal regulations funds need to be appropriated by the end of December, 2023 and completely spent by the end of December, 2025.
I did a quick summary of the amounts requested and found that the Department of Public Works submitted 5 water and sewer infrastructure proposals costing $9,400,000, nearly all of the $10.5 million and nearly half of the approximate $20 million total for all submitted proposals. Drawing on the analysis of resident Deborah Peterson, there are a number of programs one might consider “infrastructure for those in need” that totaled $5,135,000 and included proposals like McSherry Gardens Improvements and the Study for City Supported Local Transit. Then there are programs that provide “direct services to those in need” that totaled $813,000 such as a Direct Assistance Program for Emergencies, an additional Social Service Resource Specialist, and a two-year substance use campaign.
The next steps in the process are for the three member Committee on Budget and Fiscal Oversight to review the proposals an make recommendations to the full City Council. I find that this is an unusual situation for three members to make recommendations to the full council and I suspect there will be a robust discussion among the Councilors about what proposals are eventually awarded ARPA funds. As for myself, I will be supporting those proposals that:
a) serve those who have been most impacted during the pandemic and afterwards,
b) serve those who are least resourced and most in need, and
c) those programs that are not already budgeted by the City or programs that are not forecasted to be in future City budgets.
May I suggest that you take a look at the proposals and prepare for both the Committee meeting and the Council meeting. Click here to see them.
Two Pots of Money You
Should Know About!
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) I have written about the $10.5 million that is sitting in Watertown’s coffers from ARPA. It is our share of the $350 billion that was given, with very few restrictions, to the more than 800 local, regional, and state governments in the U.S. as pandemic relief. There is a concerted effort on the part of the City and the City Council via the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Oversight (BFO), to have robust community involvement in how this one-time opportunity should be used. Here is an DRAFT outline of what the Committee is planning.
1) Informational Presentation at a BFO meeting by Clifton/Larson/Allen on “What ARPA Is, Allowable Uses, and Rules for the ARPA Funds”. This will take place on Wednesday, February 1 at the City Council Chambers at 7:00 PM. This will be a hybrid meeting. Here is the link to the meeting. The public will have the opportunity to ask questions, but the Committee will not be taking proposals for funding.
2) Follow-up BFO meeting where the members, with public input, will create a rubric that residents and organizations can use to prepare a proposal.
3) A two-month period during which residents and organizations can submit proposals either directly to the BFO or on-line at the ARPA website.
4) Discussion and decisions, with community input, by the BFO on what proposals it will recommend to the full City Council.
5) City Council meeting to discuss and approve the final proposals.
There are also plans for a one-page “ABCs of ARPA”, continual upgrading of the website, and extensive publicity via the City’s social media platforms about the dates, times, and locations of BFO and Council meetings. The current website is here.
I want to direct you to the video of an excellent City Chat offered by Watertown Forward that took place on Sunday, January 21 with Watertown resident, Dr. Jared Knowles and District D City Councilor Emily Izzo. It was tremendously informative about ARPA funding and how the funds can be used. There were great ideas generated by the participants including support for a rental assistance program, creation of a micro transit system, and supplemental funding for child and elder care workers. You can find the video at Watertown Forwards website here. I also received thoughtful suggestions of how the funds could be used such as revitalizing Watertown Square, increasing support for the Farmers’ Market, and renovating senior housing.
The takeaway – GET INVOLVED! Follow the BFO meetings, monitor the website, view the recordings, meet with friends and neighbors to brainstorm ideas, and share your suggestions!
Community Preservation Act Funds Approximately $17.2 million, $17,197,889.23 to be exact, is what is available in the Community Preservation Act Fund. This is money available for historic preservation, affordable housing, and open space and recreation projects that you, the City, or community organizations can request from the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) which administers the money. (A portion of the money is allocated for administrative and consultant services.)
Watertown residents passed the Community Preservation Act in November 2015. It places a 2% surcharge on the tax bill of homeowners that is collected annually. These funds have been supplemented by a 20 million dollar allocation from the State annually, though not consistently every year. It took a number of years for the CPC to be up and running, but in 2022 they recommended to the City Council funding for a historic preservation project and an open space and recreation project. They are now reviewing 6 projects for calendar year 2023. The CPC has a rigorous but manageable process to apply for funds, complete with detailed deadlines and an application workshop. Also, Lanae Handy, the City’s Community Preservation Coordinator, is available to assist and answer questions as are the nine members of the CPC. Now is the time to think about a project, to visit the CPC website, talk to a CPC member you may know, and become familiar with the process and the timeline. The bottom-line – APPLY FOR YOUR MONEY!
Exciting News About the Search for a New City Manager
The search for a new City Manager took a big step forward on Wednesday, April 27 when the Screening Committee presented the full City Council with its three finalists. In alphabetical order the three finalists are:
1) John C. Curran, the present Town Manager of the Town of Billerica
2) Norman Khumalo, the present Town Manager of the Town of Hopkinton
3) George J. Proakis, the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development in the City of Somerville.
You can see the cover letters, resumes and comments from references at https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/56f37bb5-7a3c-4510-af79-c611a4fb9102
The next step in the process is a community meeting for residents to ask questions of the three finalists. It is scheduled for Monday, May 9 at 6:00 PM. It will be a hybrid meeting so you can attend in person at the City Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of City Hall or on zoom. I urge you to read the finalists’ resumes and prepare your questions. This meeting will be facilitated by Bernie Lynch of Community Paradigm Associates, the consultant firm hired to coordinate the search. On Thursday, May 12 at 6:00 PM the City Councilors will have the opportunity to interview each of the finalists. This will also be a hybrid meeting. I encourage you to attend by coming to the City Council Chambers or by participating on zoom. The meetings will soon be posted on the City’s website at https://www.watertown-ma.gov/ and I will post them on my FB page. If additional meetings, either for the community and/or the Councilors, are necessary they will also be posted on the City’s website and on my FB page. You may be interested in reading the results of the Public and Employee Survey while you are formulating questions for the finalist. The survey results can be found at https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/e7f21694-6c36-4f20-8b32-afa9498a9f38
Charter Review Committee Has Finished Its Work – Now It is Up to You to VOTE!
After nine months of meetings the 15-person Charter Review Committee (CRC) put the finishing touches on their review of our Charter. Watertown’s Home Rule Charter is our constitution and it is reviewed every 10 years by the 9 members of the Town Council and 6 residents appointed by the Town Council President. You can learn more about how the Committee operated and read the very detailed minutes of each meeting by visiting the CRC page on the Town’s website at https://www.watertown-ma.gov/596/Charter-Review-Committee
the Charter, I want to mention two important aspects of the proceedings. The first is that the majority of the members were committed to addressing the need for improving government performance, strengthen government accountability, transparency, and communication, and enhancing government commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. While there was not universal agreement on every issue discussed, there was an understanding that what changes we made would be based on these principles.
The second aspect of the effort that deserves a shot out is the role residents played in the meetings and the role of a community group, Watertown Forward, (Full Disclosure – I serve on the steering committee of the group) played in educating and empowering residents to participate in the CRC meetings. Significantly, residents not only attending the meetings but they were actively involved in suggesting changes and voicing their support or disagreement with specific proposals. Thank you to everyone who stepped up to participate in a meaningful way, to Town Council President Sideris for encouraging this participation, and to Watertown Forward for its efforts, including their informative and engaging Charter Chats. Finally a very big thank you to the CRC’s Subcommittee on Communications who, among other things, produced a on-line survey and a flyer describing the CRC process that was delivered to over 15,000 households, and to the CRC’s Subcommittee on the Preamble who recommended a robust preamble based on the Ethic of Civil and Environmental Stewardship and a set of Guiding Principles.
OK, so what is new and what will the voters be asked to consider on November 2?
It would be impossible to list all the changes that were made to the Charter so I suggest that you read the red lined version available at the CRC website at https://www.watertown-ma.gov/596/Charter-Review-Committee. Here are some of the changes that you will be asked to vote on in November.
1) Change the name from “the city known as the town of Watertown” to “city of Watertown”
2) Clarify some of the duties and responsibilities of the council president
3) Reiterate the Council’s role as the chief policy-setting body
4) Continue to improve communication with the public
5) Bolster Town Council capacity
6) Create a Human Rights Commission
7) Hire a Community Engagement Officer
8) Find a balance between legislative and executive in appointment process
9) Expand the voices in government
10) Improve the Town Manager’s evaluation process.
11) Make improvements in the next charter review
You can see a description of each of these on the CRC website https://www.watertown-ma.gov/596/Charter-Review-Committee.
But what does all this mean when you go to the polls on November 2?
What we know now is that the question on the changing Watertown’s name from the “Town of Watertown known as the City of Watertown” to the “City of Watertown” will be the first question on the ballot. There will be a written explanation of the question followed by the voter selecting “yes” or “no“. There will be a second question asking the voters to “yes” or “no” on all the other changes to the Charter. There will be a written summary of the changes.
Pre-November education and outreach will be key if voters are to feel confident to vote on the changes to the Charter that will guide Watertown’s future. The Town Council’s Committee on Medial and Public Outreach has been charged to create and implement a strategy to education residents on the implication of the Charter and how the questions will appear on the ballot, and to do this in cooperation with the IT Department and the Town Clerk as well as with community-based organizations. The first meeting of this Committee took place on Wednesday September 8. There will be more meetings given the enormity of the task, so visit the Town’s website to learn when and where they will take place. Also, the Town Clerk will be responsible for distributing an explanation of the Charter changes to every household in Watertown. Finally, one way to learn more about the Charter changes and plans to encourage residents to vote is to connect with Watertown Forward. It is a non-partisan civic action group. Check our their website at https://www.watertownforward.org/ and their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1082426438850771.
2021 Saltonstall Park Concert Series
It is requested that everyone follow the latest Governor’s order/guidance with regards to masks and social distancing.
June 23, 2021 – Black Sea Salsa at 6:30pm. Free Salsa Dance Lessons at 6pm.
June 30, 2021 – Band from U.N.C.L.E.
July 7, 2021 – Tony Soul Project at 6:30pm. Free Hustle Dance Lessons at 6 pm.
July 14, 2021 – Lightning Rose
July 21, 2021 – School of Rock House Band
July 28, 2021 – Back in Time
August 4, 2021 – Compaq Big Band at 6:30pm. Free Swing Dance lessons at 6pm
August 11, 2021 – Freddy Epstein presents Sax On The Beach
August 18, 2021 – Southbound Train at 6:30pm. Free Country Line/Swing Dance lessons at 6pm.
August 25, 2021 – Perfect Crime
September 1, 2021 – Radio Honey
September 8, 2021 – John Baboian Ensemble
Community Fridge in Watertown?
If you are interested in organizing a community fridge in Watertown you are welcomed to a zoom meeting hosted by Watertown resident, Sarah Pardo and Watertown’s Social Services Resource Specialist, Sophia Suarez-Friedman on Wednesday, May 26 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Community fridges have popped up all over the country since the pandemic. They are 24/7 access outdoor fridges enclosed in a shed for protection and dry good storage space. The ethos is “Take what you need, give what you can”; the idea is for neighbors to help each other out by direct donations of fresh and delicious food, as well as through partnerships with local non-profits, groceries, and neighborhood associations. The link to the zoom meeting is https://wellesley.zoom.us/j/99516420582.
SPECIAL CRC MEETING ON FORM OF GOVERNMENT
On Tuesday, April 6 at 6:00 PM, via zoom, the Charter Review Committee (CRC) will hold a Pubic Forum. The Forum will be dedicated to hearing from residents about the form of government they want in Watertown. While there are other forms of government, such Town Meeting, the discussion will focus on whether Watertown should continue its present form of government, that is Council/Manager, or move to a new form of government, that being, Mayor/Council. This may be the most important meeting to date of the CRC and one of the most important public meetings of the year. Please plan on attending. You can find the link to the zoom meeting on the Calendar in the Town’s website at https://www.watertown-ma.gov/ by Friday of this week.
Charter Review Committee
| |
Next Meeting of the CRC is Tuesday, February 3 at 6:00 PM
The CPC meets on the 1st and the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
| In the last Update I spoke about the Charter Review that takes place every ten years. The Watertown Home Rule Charter (Charter) can be found at http://https://ecode360.com/36825791. It is our constitution and lays out how our Council-Town Manager form of government operates. The Charter Review Committee (CRC), composed of the nine members of the Town Council and six residents, began the task for reviewing the Charter in October. The Committee, which is chaired by Town Council President Mark Sideris, is being assisted by the Collins Center for Public Management at UMass Boston. Due to COVID 19 the Committee was significantly delayed in beginning its work, but has met six times and has scheduled its meetings for the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month until June 2021. At the present time the Committee is looking closely at the pros and cons of a Council-Town Manager form of government and a Mayor-Council form of government. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to become involved with this process. This is a rare opportunity to discuss ANY aspect of Town government. From whether the Library Trustees should be elected or appointed to whether we should have an elected mayor, from how the future charter committees are appointed to how much Town Councilors are paid, from whether the Town Council’s powers should be increased to whether the Town should have a parking permit system – these are some of the issues that could be discussed by the CRC. Please take a moment to visit the Charter Review Committee’s new and updated web site at https://www.watertown-ma.gov/596/Charter-Review-Commission and learn more about the CRC and its work. You will find the names and email addresses of the members, resources, and a schedule of future meetings. Very soon the minutes of all previous meetings will be posted. The CRC’s next meeting is Tuesday, February 3 at 6:00 PM. |
Watertown Forward – Get Involved in the CRC
| Watertown Forward Watertown Forward is a non-partisan civic action and education group which has its roots in the Kitchen Table Conversations held last summer. Formerly kicked-off on October 3, it seeks to expand the number of voices in the Charter Review process via a series of events designed to education, empower, and engage residents. At this time the organization offers three resources. Watertown Forward holds a Charter Chat at 3:00 PM on the Sunday following an official meeting of the Charter Review Committee (CRC). This is a great way to hear what happened at the latest CRC and to ask questions, share comments, and offer suggestions. They also produce a Charter Recap following each CRC meeting which provides the reader an excellent summary of what took place at the meeting. Finally, there is a Charter Reminder email that announces the upcoming CRC meeting and the Charter Chat agenda. A new Watertown Forward website has recently gone live at watertownforward.org. It is purposely designed to make it easy to keep up with the charter review process and, most importantly, to participate in the process. Please take a moment to send an email to forwardwatertown@gmail.com to be included in the events organized by Watertown Forward and if you have some free time we would love to hook you up with the Outreach and Engagement Subcommittee or the Education Subcommittee. I can guarantee that you will not regret getting involved with Watertown Forward. Please send your email now! |
Changes in Watertown Polling Locations, Reminder on Voting Options and a Vote for Steve Owens
There are important changes in polling locations due to the construction at the Hosmer and Cunniff elementary schools. Precincts 11 and 12 had been moved from the Cunniff School on Warren Street to the Middle School on 66 Waverley Avenue. Therefore, there will now be four precincts voting at the Middle School – Precincts 8, 9, 11, and 12. Also, please remember that Precinct 2 that use to vote at the Hosmer School will now vote at the Hellenic Cultural Center. These changes are for both the September 1 primary election and the November 3 presidential election. See the list of polling locations at
https://www.watertown-ma.gov/259/Voting-Polling-Locations.
Tuesday, September 1 Primary Election
Some of you may have gotten your ballot for the September 1 primary election. In order to make sure your vote counts, please either put in the ballot drop box that is located between Town Hall and the Library or bring it to the Town Clerks Office (enter at the Saltonstall Park side). Ballots must be dropped at either location by 8:00 PM Tuesday, September 1. If you have not gotten your ballot, please vote at your polling location on Tuesday, September 1. The polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
I want to reiterate my endorsement of Steve Owens for State Representative for the 29th Middlesex District. I urge you to vote for Steve on September 1 and to help his campaign as a volunteer and donor at https://votesteveowens.com/.
The campaign needs folks to hold signs at the polls on election day in Watertown and Cambridge.
November 3 Presidential Election
If you also applied for a ballot for the November 3 presidential election do not be surprised if you do not receive it until late September or early October. When it does arrive, I suggest you complete the ballot ASAP and again, either drop it in the mail, drop it off at the Town Clerk’s office, or put it in the ballot drop box that is located between Town Hall and the Library.
In-person early voting for the November 3 election is from October 17 to October 30 including on Saturday and Sunday. All early voting will take place at the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall. Visit https://www.watertown-ma.gov/959/Early-Voting-2020 for the complete list of dates and hours.
Of course, you can still vote on election day, Tuesday, November 3 at all the polling locations in Watertown. Steps have been taken to reduce the possibility of infection. The polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
It’s Charter Review Time! Apply to be a Commission Member! Drop by on February 9!
Every ten years the Town’s Home Rule Charter (Charter) is reviewed by a Charter Review Commission (CRC). The Charter is our constitution. It lays out, in great detail, how the Town government works covering everything from the powers of the Town Council to how to organize and citizen petition or a citizen referendum. The CRC reviews every aspect of the Charter whether there is a proposal for a change or not. It includes the nine members of the Town Council and six members of the community chosen by the Town Council President who also chairs the CRC. This year the Town Council President plans to hold a community meeting to explain the charter review process and how one would proceed if they wanted to change the Charter. He also plans to convene the Committee twice a month, on the first and third Tuesday of the month, mostly likely beginning in February or March.
If you are interested in applying to be on the Charter Review Committee, please send a letter explaining your interest and background to the Council President Sideris at msideris@watertown-ma.gov. The deadline for application is January 31, so don’t delay. This is a great opportunity to be part of very important process that only happens every ten years.
So often residents do not see a way to pursue an idea or make a change in how the Town operates, but there are not enough support on the Town Council or among the Town administration. What they don’t know is that our Charter provides avenues to bring an idea to an elected body or place it on the ballot. Learn more about this and other governance issues by reading the Charter at
https://www.ci.watertown.ma.us/DocumentCenter/View/17443/Watertown-Home-Rule-Charter?bidId=
Finally, I invite you to share your thoughts about the Charter at an informal gathering on Sunday, February 9 at the Watertown Free Public Library from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM in the Mastrangelo Room on the second floor. Just drop by when you are able. I would love to hear what is on your mind!
The Committee on Human Services will hold a meeting on Thursday, April 18 at 7:15 PM in the Louis P. Andrews Conference Room on the Third Floor at Town Hall. We will continue our discussion of affordable housing . The Committee will hear a presentation on Waltham’s Tenant Based Rental Assistance program from John Shirley, Housing Specialist for the City of Waltham.
Meeting on Accessory Dwelling Units
The Committee on Human Services will hold a meeting on Wednesday, April 24 at 7:15 PM in the Louis P. Andrews Conference Room on the Third Floor at Town Hall. We will continue our discussion of affordable housing . The Committee will hear a presentation on Newton’s Accessory Dwelling Units program from James Freas, Deputy Director of Planning and Development for the City of Newton.
Affordable Housing
The Committee on Human Services, which I chair and serve with Councilors Falkoff and Bays, has held seven meetings between April and December of last year on the issue of affordable housing. We heard from residents, members of the Watertown Housing Partnership, members of the Watertown Housing Authority, members of the Massachusetts Legislature, members of our Department of Community Development and Planning, and representatives from statewide housing advocacy, planning and resource organizations, such as the Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance, the Metro Area Planning Council and the Citizens‘ Housing and Planning Association. The Massachusetts Housing Partnership and the Metro West Collaborative provided the Committee important information on affordable housing development as did the Assistant Housing Director from Somerville and a representative from Cambridge. What did we learn?
- There is a housing crisis in Massachusetts and in greater Boston that will not be solved by the actions of any one city or town. It must be addressed by communities across the Commonwealth increasing their stock of market-rate and affordable housing.
- Watertown is not exempt from the increasing cost of homeownership and rents. Residents of Watertown have felt the consequences of the housing crisis. There are families and individuals who have moved out of Watertown because they can’t afford to rent, have experienced homeless or are living in inadequate housing arrangements.
- The Watertown Housing Partnership includes experienced housing citizen volunteers who are committed to increasing the Town’s stock of affordable housing. We have an excellent Housing Authority, though the waiting list for a unit can be 6 – 10 years.
- There are state and regional organizations and nonprofit housing groups willing and able to help Watertown and we are served by a particularly strong community development corporation in the Metro West Collaborative.
- Watertown has done a good job of producing affordable housing through the use of inclusionary zoning. Watertown requires that 15% of the units in a development with 10 units or more or over 10,000 square feet be affordable.
- Most importantly, we learned that Watertown can do more! The Committee will continue its discussion of possible actions steps Watertown can take to address the issue of affordable housing at its next meeting on Wednesday, March 13 at 7:00 PM in Town Hall. Please join us.
The Committee on Human Services has a number of concrete proposals to offer the Town Council for their consideration. Do you have ideas on how we can increase the stock of affordable housing in Watertown? Please share them!
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Affordable Housing
The Committee on Human Services on which I serve along with Councilors Bay and Falkoff has been meeting to discuss the issue of affordable housing in Watertown. The Committee developed a series of meetings beginning in April with the goal of gathering information on three overlapping areas – what is the present status of affordable housing in Watertown, what resources are available from state and regional agencies and organizations, and what are other communities doing to address the issue that might work in Watertown. The Committee has met three times: in April to learn about the work of the Watertown Housing Partnership, in June to delve deeper into the need for affordable housing and what Watertown has done to address the need, and most recently in August to discuss how zoning regulations affect housing production. On September 6, the Committee will hear about statewide and regional organizations that support the development of affordable housing and on October 4, there will be presentations from a non-profit housing collaborative and a discussion of a real estate transfer fee. The November 7 meeting will focus on examples of successful affordable housing initiatives in Somerville and Cambridge and on building community support for housing. At our December 5 meeting, the Committee will review what we have learned and consider specific initiatives for Watertown. The Committee meetings take place at 7:15 PM in the Town Council Chambers on the second floor of Town Hall.
I believe it is important that Watertown consider the development of affordable housing (rental or ownership) a priority now and in the coming years. What do you think? Do you have specific suggestions that you would like to share with the Committee?
Schedule for the Committee on Human Services’ Discussion of Affordable Housing. First Thursday of the Month, 7:15 PM
6/7 Affordable Housing in Watertown Andrea Adams, Senior Planner, DCDP, Watertown Brian Costello, Director, Watertown Housing Authority Danielle DeMoss, Social Services Resource Specialist, Watertown
8/2 Zoning and Affordable Housing Larry Fields, Mass. Smart Growth Alliance Steve Magoon, Assistant Town Manager and Director DCDP
9/6 Statewide and Regional Organizations and Resources Sue Connelly, Massachusetts Housing Partnership Karina Milchman, Massachusetts Area Planning Council
10/4 Affordable Housing Development Jennifer Van Campen, MetroWest Collaborative Development Representative Michael Connolly, Real Estate Transfer Fee Steve Magoon, Assistant Town Manager and Director DCDP
11/7 Solutions/Case Examples Kelly Donato, Assistant Housing Director, Somerville Cliff Cook, Watertown Housing Partnership Rachel Heller, Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association
12/5 What We Have Learned and Options for Watertown
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The Well Being of Watertown Town Youth: 2018 Town Hall Meeting
April 11, 2018 –
Register to confirm your attendance and to be entered to win a raffle prize.
For childcare, register by April 5, 2018 at 5pm (after this date, childcare may not be able to be accommodated).
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Affordable Housing Discussion
Monday, April 23 in the Philip Pane Lower Conference Room in Town Hall from 6:15 PM to 8:15 PM.
The Committee on Human Services will begin a series of meetings on Monday, April 23 on the topic of affordable housing. The charge to the Committee is to “compile information on present affordable housing stock in Watertown, elicit the opinions and suggestions of housing advocates, developers, and residents regarding affordable housing opportunities, and proposal various scenarios that would increase affordable housing opportunities in Watertown.”
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Neighborhood Solar Announcement
August 23, 2017
To all who have participated in a past Neighborhood Solar offer, or have inquired and are considering going solar right now:
On July 26, Neighborhood Solar announced an extension of this current program, because of the assaults on solar in Massachusetts.
On August 11, the final SMART program design was filed by the DOER. This program will be the successor to the current SREC solar compensation program. While the exact date of the switchover from SREC to SMART is unknown, it is anticipated that residential solar projects that are interconnected before April 2018 will be under SREC. Those interconnected after will fall under SMART compensation levels. To see what this means in loss of incentives, read the following article: “From SREC to SMART: How Massachusetts Solar Incentives are Changing.”
The compensation levels under SMART are not fully known, but for residential-scale systems the *most* they could be is 75% of current SREC levels, and it is possible they could be 50% or even lower. Solar systems that get installed in time for SREC participation will certainly see better value than those under SMART. Although there are several other assaults on solar, the loss of SRECs means that the net cost of solar for homeowners will rise.
Neighborhood Solar has extended its current program to October 1, 2017 (which means that a proposal must be signed byOctober 1). SunBug is confident that participants who sign up by then will be installed while the SREC program is still in place.
Even though the deadline has been extended, it is important for those of you who have evaluations and proposals to sign up as quickly as possible. We are working to get as much solar installed as possible, as quickly as possible.
Neighborhood Solar is a grass-roots, all-volunteer program mostly promoted by word of mouth. This allows the deep discounts to go to customers. If you have friends, neighbors, family members, or others who might consider this option, please tell them about Neighborhood Solar and encourage them to seek a free evaluation and proposal. Time IS of the essence, and we now know that time is running out.
If you have any questions about the program or your eligibility, please contact me.
Thank you,
Jocelyn Tager
Neighborhood Solar
neighborhoodsolar.org
info@neighborhoodsolar.org
(617) 661-6098 #2
Joint Meeting of the Committee on Human Services and the Conservation Commission
Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 7:00 PM in the Richard Mastrangelo Council Chambers, Town Hall. There will be a discussion and review of site characteristics for open space acquisition to develop a prioritization plan.
Informational Community Meeting Arsenal Yards Phase 3 – Building F Final Site Plan Approval
Boylston Properties and The Wilder Companies will be holding a Community Meeting to review Phase 3 of the Arsenal Yards master plan. The purpose of this meeting will be to present and discuss the final layout and design of Building F, and discuss the operation of the property during construction. Building F will be located in the area where the 1983 mall addition is currently. The building will contain retail, a parking structure, and residential apartments. Discussion will include the revision of the massing of the Building F, which includes the addition of 5’ in height to allow for an additional floor of residential, while maintaining the same unit count for the overall project.
The Community Meeting will be held on August 16, 2017 from 6:30-8:30 PM. The meeting will be held at the “Innovation Space” at the Mall. Park and enter near the Old Navy store.
Project Folder Link: http://www.watertown-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/1245
Neighborhood Solar
From June 15, 2016, to December 31, 2016, Neighborhood Solar is offering the residents of Watertown, as well as those from Cambridge, Belmont, Arlington, and Somerville, a solar group purchase discount program. The goal of Neighborhood Solar is to combine state incentives and tax credits with the best solar prices and the best solar quality and craftsmanship from SunBug Solar. Friends and neighbors using this program can reduce their electrical bill, reduce their carbon footprint, become more energy independent, and invest in renewable energy. Full details are available at www.neighborhoodsolar.org. For more information please contact Jocelyn Tager at (617) 661-6098 or info@neighborhoodsolar.org
The Concert Across America to End Gun Violence
On Sunday, September 25 over 200 communities (at last count!) will host a concert to “End Gun Violence and Remember the Victims of America’s Gun Violence Epidemic”. Watertown is one for the communities that will host a concert! The effort was initiated by Watertown resident, Amanda Peacock and is co-sponsored by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment, World in Watertown, Progressive Watertown, and Sustainable Watertown. It will take place on Sunday, September 25 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Saltonstall Park. The program will include three bands and a series of short presentations by those affected by gun violence and those working to address the problem. For more information contact watertowncitizens@gmail.com.
Help Shape the Future of Programs & Services for Older Adults in Watertown
A community discussion at a Town Council Committee Meeting
about the Senior Center and the leadership skills and qualifications of its new director.
Monday, March 28, 2016 – 7:00 pm Auditorium @ the Coolidge School Apartments, 319 Arlington St.
Watertown’s search for a new Director of Senior Services is underway, and the Town Council’s Committee on Human Services looks forward to hearing residents’ vision for the Senior Center, including their thoughts on programs for older adults and the qualifications they desire in a new Director. The Council on Aging & Watertown for All Ages are pleased to be collaborating with the Human Services Committee to provide the community a public forum to share their ideas and priorities with the Town Manager and other town officials.
Participants will learn about the services that are currently provided to those 60 and over in Watertown and examples of offerings available in surrounding communities. During small group discussions, we will envision the future of the Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center. Please come and make your voice heard.
The Coolidge School Auditorium is accessible. Limited free parking in the front lot and along the fence of the back lot. Free on-street parking; located on the 71 bus line.
IMPORTANT DOG PARK MEETING – DOG ENTHUSIASTS NEEDED!
It has been a long haul, but we are moving steadily toward the establishment of a new dog park at the Grove Street entrance to Filippello Park. The Watertown Dog Park Task Force (DPTF) deserves a pat on the back for its continual advocacy around this issue. There is a very important meeting sponsored by the Recreation Department on Wednesday, March 16 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers to discuss the latest design for the Grove Street entrance. I urge everyone who is interested in seeing a new state-of-the-art dog park in Watertown to attend the meeting. I also invite you to join the DPTF’s google group by contacting me at councilorpalomba@gmail.com. I will send you the Task Force’s recommendations for the park.
W.A.T.E.R.town (Watertown Access to Treatment, Education and Resources on Substance Use Disorders)
I hope you have seen the billboards on Arsenal Street, Mt. Auburn Street and Pleasant Street, the banners on the Watertown Savings Bank and the fire station on Main Street, and the smaller banners at the Boys and Girls Club and local churches all saying the same thing – we are coming together as a community to address the opioid epidemic in Watertown. Be assured there is an epidemic – since January of this year there have been 47 reported heroin overdoses, 10 of which were fatal. In 2014 there were 15 overdoses and 1 fatality. In an amazing display of collaboration, the Town Council, community organizations, prevention advocates, treatment providers, clergy, first responders, concerned families and individuals in recovery have joined to form a new coalition, W.A.T.E.R.town, and have developed an Opioid Action Plan.
The flyer (click here ) announcing, Erase the Stigma: A Week of Awareness and Education for All Ages to Build Hope, Health and Healing Around Opioid Addiction, is a key accomplishment of the coalition. I am proud of the role I played as the chair of the Town Council’s Committee on Public Safety in encouraging and participating in this effort. I urge you to take a close look at the activities listed in the flyer that will take place between October 18 and October 25. I particularly ask that you, your family, neighbors, co-workers and others attend the program, “Coming Together to Erase the Stigma” event this Wednesday, October 21 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Watertown High School Gym. The flyer lists the speakers, film and entertainment for the evening as well as the availability of childcare, interpretation for the hearing impaired, and Spanish and Portuguese translation services. And there will be pizza and free raffle prizes. If there is a community-wide event you do not want to miss it is this one!
Some Upcoming Town Council Meetings of Interest
Monday, September 28 at 5:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers – Committee on Public Works will discuss the Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Ordinance.
Wednesday, September 30 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers – A public community meeting to discuss ideas relative to the renovation of the Grove Street entrance to Filippello Park.
Monday, October 5 at 7:00 PM in the Louis Andrews Conference Room – 3rd Floor in Town Hall the Committee on Economic Development and Planning will discuss mitigation agreements with developers and data requirements regarding parking and traffic.
Erase the Stigma Week – October 19 – 25
Opioid Action Plan
Upcoming Meetings
On Tuesday, June 30 at 7:00 PM there will be a Special Meeting of the Town Council to discuss the amendments to the Zoning Code based on the new Design Guidelines and Standards. This is a very important meeting as it related to major zoning amendments that will determine how future large developments in Watertown can be designed. Materials are available at watertown2.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/17209
On Wednesday, July 8 at 7:00 PM the Planning Board will meet in the Town Council Chambers in Town Hall. The fore-mentioned office development at 480 Arsenal Street will be presented. The documents related to this project can be found at http://www.watertown-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/844
On Thursday, July 2 at 6:00 PM there will be joint meeting of three Town Council committees to continue the discussion of a proposed ordinance to allow BYOB permits in Watertown.
The Committee on Public Works will meet on Monday, July 13 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers to discuss three items – Planting Strips, Complete Streets and Adopt an Island Program.
The Committee on Human Services will hold a meeting on Tuesday, July 21 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers to discuss policies regulating dog parks. If you are a dog lover and use the dog park at How Park, you want to be at this meeting.
Special Meeting of the Planning Board
Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers
Special Planning Board meeting to discuss the special permit with site plan review for the Greystar development at the corner of Irving and Arsenal Streets. Here is the link http://www.watertown-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/841
The Board will also discuss the special permit with site plan review for the proposed hotel on Elm Street. Here is the link http://www.watertown-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/817
Watertown Shuttle Bus?
Please join me on June 4 at 6:30pm at the Watertown Free Public Library at 6:30pm for an educational discussion of what Transit Management Associations are and how one might benefit Watertown as a supplement to MBTA services.
WATERTOWN SHUTTLE BUSES?
Join fellow residents, business owners, developers and civic officials to hear and question a panel of experts on the operations of Transit Management
Associations (TMAs) and learn about the opportunities and challenges
for creating Watertown shuttle bus services to supplement the MBTA. Speakers include experienced TMA operators from Charles River TMA, the 128 Business Council TMA, MassCommutes, and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.
An initiative of the Watertown Public Transit Task Force, co-sponsored
by the Watertown Belmont Chamber of Commerce. For more information go
to facebook.com/WPTTF or contact Jon Bockian at jbockian@rcn.com or
Megan O’Halloran at megan@wbcc.org.
Watertown Youth Coalition’s Annual Meeting
Please join me at the Watertown Youth Coalition’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday, February 25 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM in the Community Hall at The Apartments at Coolidge School, 319 Arlington Street. Come learn about and discuss the results of the 2014 Youth Survey and get an update on the work of our Peer Leaders. Past the announcement to your neighbors and friends. Get involve with Watertown’s youth!
Will Watertown be impacted if the 2024 Olympics come to Boston?
I think we will so I have proposed the creation of an “Ad Hoc Watertown Olympic Committee”. Come to the Town Council’s Committee on Human Services on Monday, March 2 at 7:00 PM when the proposal will be discussed. The meeting will take place in the Town Council Chambers in Town Hall.
Ban single-use plastic bags?
The Town Council’s Committee on Rules adn Ordinances will hold a hearing on Tuesday, March 3 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers at Town Hall to discuss an initiative of ReThink Plastic to ban single-use plastic bags.
School Budgets – FY15 and FY16
The meeting of the Budget and Finance Subcommittee may be of particular interest as the agenda includes an update on the FY15 budget, discussion of the FY16 budget process, and discussion of the major personnel and non-personnel expenditures driving the FY16 budget. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 3 at 6:00 PM. While the location is not yet to be determined, the meetings most likely will be held in the High School’s Lecture Hall.
Community Meeting on the Proposed CVS Store
There will be a Commmunity Meeting on the proposed CVS store at the corner of Mt Auburn Street and Arlington Street on Monday, January 12 at 7:00 PM at the Apartments at Coolidge School, 319 Arlington Street.
Community Meeting – New Hotel on Elm Street
Public Information Meeting – Greystar Development on Arsenal and Irving Streets
There will be a public information meeting on Tuesday, January 6 at the Watertown Free Public Library from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM to hear about the mixed-use development proposed by Greystar on Arsenal and Irving Streets. For plans and designs click on http://www.watertown-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/817.
Town Council Committees Met to Discuss New Liquor Licenses
Three Town Council Committees – Rules and Ordinances, Economic Development and Planning, and Public Safety – will meet on Tuesday, December 2 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers to continue the discussion regarding new liquor licenses. The joint committees are looking to increase the number of licenses in Town by 15.
Arsenal Street Corridor Transportation Study
Invitation to a Public Meeting sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to discuss ssort and long term planning improvements along the Arsenal Street Corridor. The meeting will take place at Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street on Wednesday, December 9 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Planning Board – CVS and 65 Grove Street
Change in Board Agenda – Discussion of proposed redevelopment of 65 Grove Street postponed until January meeting. Therefore only the proposal on CVS in Coolidge Square will be on the agenda.
The Planning Board will meet Wednesday, December 10 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers in Town Hall to discuss two development projects seeking Special Permits – the proposed CVS in Coolidge Square and the proposed redevelopment of 65 Grove Street.
It is that time of the year – Watertown Food Bank Needs Your Support!
The Food Pantry accepts donations year round, but makes one big fund-raising drive at this time of year. Demands on the Food Pantry have been increasing dramatically. For the past several months, the Food Pantry has been serving 175 families, which is a 35% increase over what we had in May and June. This number of families represents 550 individuals, again a nearly 40% increase over those served in May and June. The age of the new customers has been across the board, with the largest component being children 17 and younger.
Cash donations to the Food Pantry can be made by mailing a check payable to the Watertown Food Pantry to the Watertown Senior Center at 31 Marshall Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Or contributions can be made online using the Town website at http://www.watertown-ma.