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Home My Public Portal AboutWinter 2021 City Manager NewsletterCity of Watertown Winter 2021 Newsletter Issued by Michael J. Driscoll, City Manager Watertown City Council Mark S. Sideris, President Vincent J. Piccirilli, Vice President Caroline Bays, At -Large Anthony J. Donato, At -Large John G. Gannon, At -Large Anthony Palomba, At- Large Angeline B. Kounelis, District A Lisa J. Feltner, District B Emily C. Izzo, District D Thank You Watertown As you may be aware, I will be retiring the end of January 2022 after serving our community for 45 years, with the last 29 years as City Manager. I want to thank all of the members of our community for their support throughout the years. It has been and is a privilege and an honor to serve as City Manager for all of the citizens of Watertown. Inauguration The City of Watertown requests the honor of your presence to attend and participate in the Inauguration of the City Council, School Committee and Library Board of Trustees on Monday, January 3, 2022 at The Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street. Ceremony at 7:00 PM. Reception to follow. Comprehensive Plan Update to start in early 2022! Watertown is launching an update of its comprehensive plan in early 2022 and will be seeking your input! The last comprehensive plan, issued in 2015, was significant in defining a community vision and proposing a number of strategies that have been implemented over the last seven years. Look out for more information on our website and sign up for notifications. State grant to support road improvements on Arsenal Street The state made a $3.4 million award to Watertown in November to help fund major roadway improvements on Arsenal Street. The roadway, sidewalk, signal and lighting improvements will focus on the segment between Arsenal Court and Greenough Boulevard. The final design work is underway and construction is expected to start in mid-2022. In addition to state funding, there is a local match including private and public sources. The MassWorks award, made by Lt. Governor Polito at a November 2 event, is a recognition of the growing significance of the Arsenal Street corridor as a mixed -use regional center, with retail, restaurant, lab/office and housing uses. Resilient Watertown Watertown is currently developing a Climate and Energy Plan to mitigate our greenhouse gas emissions and protect residents and businesses from the impacts of climate change. Visit resilient.watertown-ma.gov to learn more and to review materials generated so far. A draft plan will be released in February 2022, at which point there will be public input period. As part of this effort, we have also developed a Resilient Housing Resource Center. Whether you rent, own, or manage rental housing in Watertown, these resources can help you lower utility bills and operation costs, identify funding for building upgrades, and support a resilient rental housing market that is fit for the future. Many of these resources are valuable for homeowners, too! Winter Parking Ban Watertown Chief of Police Michael P. Lawn has announced the 2021-2022 Winter Parking Ban dates. Effective Monday November 29, 2021 and continuing to April 1, 2022, the Winter Parking Ban will be in effect and strictly enforced. The regulation reads in part; "No vehicle may remain on any public way for more than one hour between the hours of IAM and 6AM all days of the week". Please remember that parking your vehicle upon any sidewalk is prohibited. Your cooperation in keeping the streets clear of overnight parking and your sidewalks clear of snow and ice will make for safer driving and walking conditions and at the same time, allow the opportunity for the Public Works Department to perform necessary street cleaning and maintenance. If you have any additional questions, please contact the Police Department at 617-972-6500. Snow/Ice Removal Ordinance Every person in charge or control of any building or lot of land within a business district and used for business purposes in the City, fronting on or abutting a paved sidewalk, shall remove and clear away, snow and ice from a patch of at least 36-inches in width from that portion of the sidewalk, which abuts any side of the building or lot of land. Such snow and/or ice shall be removed within 2- hours after the cessation of any fall of snow, sleet, or freezing rain during business hours or by the beginning of business hours of the Office of the City Manager • 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 • 617-972-6465 • watertown-ma.gov next business day following such fall. Although residential properties are not subject to the ordinance, we encourage Watertown residents to clear their sidewalks after a snowstorm, so that neighbors can continue to use the sidewalk to get to school, bus stops, shopping and dog walking. For those 55 and older who need help to clear the sidewalk, contact the Senior Center at 617 972-6490. If you want to volunteer to help someone clear their snow, call the Recreation Department at 617 972-6494, Community Preservation Committee News Join the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) on February 17th at 7PM to see project presentations for the first round of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding in Watertown. Learn how your tax dollars may be spent on outdoor recreation, community housing, and historic preservation. In this first round, the CPC received 14 pre -applications. Eight (8) were deemed eligible to submit a CPA funding application. For meeting access information and to read project applications, visit watertown- ma.gov/cpc. Information Technology Department Check out the new City of Watertown website at www.watertown-ma.gov. When you're on the website, be sure to click on the Connect button on the left side of the screen to gain access to information about how to subscribe to the new email and SMS Notifications, Meeting Agendas, and Emergency Alerts. Download the new Watertown MA mobile app powered by SeeClickFix from the App Store, to easily get City information on your device and submit 311 service requests. Stay in touch by following the City on social media and visiting online: • Facebook: watertowngov • Twitter: watertowngov • Instagram: watertownmagov • Website: www.watertown-ma.gov Pet Licensing Updated! The City has now made it even easier for Watertown pet owners to license their pets by partnering with PetData, a full -service animal licensing provider. Beginning in January, PetData will be mailing pet owners their license renewal notice. Owners will now have several options for renewing their pet license, including by mail, online or in -person at City Hall. Owners that are hoping to license new pets, may also license via PetData. Licensing your pet is one of the most important steps you can take as a responsible pet owner. Having your pet licensed makes it easy for Animal Control Officers or shelter employees to quickly locate a pet's owner information. A license could be your pet's ticket home! Please remember that all pet licenses are valid for the calendar year and expire on December 3 Pt. Keep an eye on your mailbox for a notice from PetData! Visit www.PetData.com for more information. If you have any questions about this new process, please call PetData directly at 1-800-738-3463 or call the City Clerk's Office at 617-972-6486. Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center The Watertown Senior Center is open for visitors and staff are available to provide assistance with SNAP, Fuel Assistance, MassHealth, SHINE, Senior Parking Permits, and other services. The Senior Shuttle Bus is on the road by appointment only. For bus services, any senior -related issues, or to be added to the newsletter mailing list call (617) 972-6490 or send an email to SeniorCenter(a)watertown-ma.gov. You can also receive the newsletter and other senior updates electronically by signing up on the City's website in the Notifications system and selecting Senior Center/Council on Aging. Watertown Food Pantry The Watertown Food Pantry is open Tuesdays, 10 AM until 2 PM at 80 Mt. Auburn Street, rear. When going to the Food Pantry, please wear a mask to protect your own self and those around you in the parking lot and at the Food Pantry. For more information about the Food Pantry or to make a donation, call the Senior Center at (617) 972-6490 or send an email to SeniorCenterkwatertown- ma. gov Watertown Collective Memory Project The Watertown Free Public Library is embarking on a mission to preserve Watertown's recent history, from 1950 to the present day, and we need your help! All community members are invited to submit family photos and memories to be scanned into the Library's local history collection. Learn more: watertownlib.org/memory Coffeehouse Concerts at the Library Something comfortable, something cozy —come listen to relaxing music in the Library's own pop-up coffee house. All concerts include complimentary beverages and pastries by O'Some Caf6. Check out the lineup and register: watertownlib.org/concerts Library Newsletter There's a lot happening here! Stay up-to-date on all the free programs and resources offered by your local Library by signing up for our monthly email newsletter: watertownlib.org/eNews Office of the City Manager • 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 • 617-972-6465 • watertown-rna.gov