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Home My Public Portal AboutWinter 2020 City Manager NewsletterTown of Watertown Winter 2020 Newsletter Issued by Michael J. Driscoll, Town Manager Watertown Town 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 Kenneth M. Woodland, District D Town of Watertown, Massachusetts 149 Main Street Watertown, Massachusetts 02472 www.watertown-ma.gov Charter Review Is Happening Now! Watertown is undertaking the once in a decade challenge of reviewing how our town government works and WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU! The Charter Review Committee is discussing and recommending changes to how Watertown is governed so NOW IS YOUR CHANCE! The Committee meets the first and third Tuesday of the month, starting at 6 pm. Visit https://www.watertown- ma.eov/charter to send in comments, sign up for notifications, and join us at the virtual meetings. Community Path Extension in Watertown Square Have you noticed some changes behind Town Hall and the Library? The Town received funding from a MassDOT program called Shared Streets/Shared Spaces, to fund quick -build projects that support COVID-19 friendly, outdoor activities. The Department of Community Development and Planning and Public Works together applied for funding to do a temporary shared use path from Saltonstall Park to Church Street, behind the Library, with new crosswalks at John Sonny Whooley Way and Church Street. This is a pilot project, to test changes before creating a more permanent shared use path through Watertown Square. Big kudos to Public Works for doing most of the construction in about a month! This project will make walking and biking through Watertown Square safer for all. Watertown Free Public Library Fine Free Fines are no longer charged for items returned late. All previous fines have been removed from patron accounts except for items that were never returned. If you've stayed away from the library because of fines the WFPL invites you back. Laptop and Wi-Fi Hotspots If you or someone you know needs internet access at home, laptops and mobile devices to connect to the internet, called Wi-Fi hotpots, are now available to check out for two weeks. COVID-19 Resources Watertown residents have access to a variety of emergency assistance programs on the local and state level. Visit www.watertownlib.org/covidl9guide for information on how to get help such as rental assistance programs, free legal advice, and mutual aid. Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center The Watertown Senior Center remains closed to visitors, but Senior Center staff are available to connect you to virtual Zoom programs and to provide other assistance with SNAP, Fuel Assistance, MassHealth, SHINE and other services: https://www.watertown-ma.gov/150/Activities-during-COVID-19. Senior Parking Permits can be renewed over the phone, and new permits can be purchased by calling the Senior Center and making an appointment. The Senior Shuttle Bus is back 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 SeniorCenterkwatertown-ma.gov. You can also receive the newsletter and other senior updates electronically by signing up on the Town website with the Notify Me 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 SenlorCenter(&_watertown- ma. gov Office of the Town Manager • 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 • 617-972-6465 0 watertown-ma.go Veterans' Services The MGL Chapter 115 Benefits program is a needs -based, means -tested program run by the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services and Watertown Veterans' Services. It is available to Veterans and dependents who require financial assistance for any of the following resources: Fuel, Housing/Shelter, Medical, Ordinary Benefits. If Veterans or eligible dependents make less than $2,000 a month and have less than $5,000 (if single) or $9,800 (if married) in the bank they may qualify for the benefit and should inquire with Patrick George: PGeorgep_watertown-ma.aov; 617-972-6416 (Office) ; 781-645-9127 (Mobile) Winter Parking Ban Watertown Chief of Police Michael P. Lawn has announced the 2020-2021 Winter Parking Ban dates. Effective Monday November 30, 2020 and continuing to April 1, 2021 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". For residents who lack sufficient off-street parking, the Town allows for temporary parking at any municipal parking lot and other locations noted: • The police station at 552 Main Street (visitor's parking lot only) • Any public school parking lot except the Cunniff School • Marion Road parking lot at Victory Field • O'Connell Park, (lot at the corner of Boylston Street and Mt Auburn Street) • Grove Street parking lot at Filippello Park (No parking in the spaces along the driveway) • 101 Morse Street - 14 spaces at the rear of the parking lot (currently being constructed, available once completed) Please note that these locations may be used free of charge, however vehicles may only use available spaces after 7PM and must be removed by 7AM the following day. Vehicles must be removed from school property no later than 6AM. Violators may be towed. 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. 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 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 snow storm, 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. Additionally, no person or entity shall place, throw, plow or in any way move, any snow or ice onto any portion of the town's streets and ways. Doing so makes the Town's job of plowing the streets more difficult and creates hazards. Also, please remind your private driveway plow contractor of this requirement if you have one. Finally, your assistance is appreciated in helping the Town in making sure catch basins are cleared of snow to prevent flooding. Boards, Commissions and Committees By serving on a Town Board/Commission/Committee you'll make a valuable contribution to the community of Watertown and meet other residents who share similar interests. Even if you cannot serve on a committee all Watertown residents are welcome to attend any of the many committee meetings held. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume by email to townmgr@watertown-ma.gov or Town Manager's Office, 149 Main Street. You can view upcoming meetings and events on the Town's website. www.watertown-ma.gov. Follow Watertown on Twitter: @watertowngov I Facebook: watertowngov I Instagram: watertownmagov I Online: watertown-ma.gov Sign up for Emergency Alerts at watertown-ma.gov/emergency Office of the Town Manager • 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 • 617-972-6465 0 watertown-ma.go