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OFFICE HOURS
Friday November 9 from 8-9:30am
Tresca's on Church Street

Come by and let's talk about the 
election results or discuss any 
concerns you have about the town.

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Personnel: Chair
Economic Development: Secretary
State, Federal, and 
Regional Government: Vice Chair

Council Meeting Schedule

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April 20, 2013

Statement from Town Council President Mark Sideris

"Watertown Strong" art at Victory Field

Spontaneous "Watertown Strong" art at Victory Field on Orchard Street

On belhalf of the entire Town Council, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Watertown Police and Fire Departments for their extraordinary efforts on a very difficult day in Watertown yesterday.

I also want to recognize the Public works Department for their efforts as well.

The efforts of these departments did not get enough recognition during the day yesterday for their, at times, heroic efforts to protect our community and its citizens. I think I speak for everyone when I say they truly made Watertown proud!

I also want to thank the people of our town for listening and following through on the Police Department's request to stay home and keep their doors locked which allowed them to do their work. I am also very proud of all the people that came out last night and were applauding the efforts of all the law enforcement people who also did a great job helping put an end to Monday's tragic events at the Marathon.

I'm glad I live in Watertown.

Mark Sideris
Town Council President

April 1, 2013 Post

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

Susan and Ernesta Kracakiewicz were guests on Renata von Tscharner's radio program about the Charles RIver, talking about the cleanup of Watertown's GSA site.  You Tube link and local screening info will be posted soon.


Susan's next "office hours" will be held on April 5 from 7:30-9 am at the East Watertown Dunkin Donuts, 635 Mount Auburn Street.  Come by, have a cup of coffee and share your thoughts and concerns with Susan.


November 3, 2012 Post

Dear Neighbors and Friends,


Matt Damon called yesterday to remind me to Vote for Elizabeth Warren on Tuesday.  As though I'd forget!  I am very happy, no, make that elated, to have candidates up and down the ballot who I can support with pride. This is no "lesser of two evils" or "hold your nose" kind of election! I hope you agree and will be sure to vote Tuesday.  

When you go to the polls, don't overlook the ballot questions which, in addition to the well-publicized questions on medical marijuana and the right-to-die, include the opportunity to support a Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and establish fair elections;  and a request to our state Senator and Representatives to call on Congress and the President to pass a Budget for All that would
  • prevent cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans benefits, or to housing, food and unemployment assistance; 
  • create and protect jobs by investing in manufacturing, schools, housing, renewable energy, transportation and other public services; 
  • provide new revenues for these purposes and to reduce the long-term federal deficit by closing corporate tax loopholes, ending offshore tax havens, and raising taxes on incomes over $250,000; and 
  • redirect military spending to these domestic needs by reducing the military budget, ending the war in Afghanistan and bringing U.S. troops home safely now. 
It seems hard to believe now but after the election, life will go on.  Therefore, I will be holding Office Hours at Tresca's on Church Street, next Friday, November 9, from 8-9:30 am.  Come by and let's talk about the election results or discuss any concerns you have about the town.

I'm feeling especially appreciative of town services this week.  Hurricane Sandy knocked over a tree that damaged my roof, pretty much blocked my front door, and disconnected the phone line. Fire, Police, and Public Works were there within minutes to assess the safety issues. Between them and a bevy of concerned neighbors, I felt protected and well cared for during the storm.  Fortunately, I didn't lose electrical power but I know that not everyone in town was so lucky.  If you had an outage i sincerely hope that your service was restored with a bare minimum of disruption and that your neighbors were as kind as mine.

Looking ahead, on November 19, the Army Corps of Engineers is hosting a public meeting at Town Hall at 7 PM to talk about the plans to (finally!) clean up the contaminated land on Greenough Blvd and create a passive recreation area.  This is a project I've worked on for years. Finally, someone figured out how to authorize demolishing the crumbling buildings before the land reverts to the state.  Come to the meeting and learn the true story of how this came to be!

All the best,
Susan


Photos from this year's Faire on the Square

 
Candidate Warren and Susan

Elizabeth Warren and Susan at the Faire 

  
Susan, Will Elizabeth, and Richard

Susan, Will, Elizabeth, and Richard

  
Susan and Will at the Faire

Susan and Will Brownsberger


At the September 25 meeting, the Town Council will discuss designating Whitney Hill as a conservation area. Whitney Hill is an 11-acre wooded area behind the Public Works building that is much beloved of bird-lovers and dog-walkers. Placing it under the care and custody of custody of the Conservation Commission will offer a higher level of oversight and protection than it has previously enjoyed.  If you've never visited before, you can check it out via entrances on Oliver or Malden Street.




Photos from Town Council Inauguration January 2012

 

Susan with Town Manager Mike Driscoll, and State Representative Jon Hecht

  

Susan with Will Pennington
 

Susan with State Senator Will Brownsberger

  

Susan with Town Council President, Mark Sideris


THANK YOU FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS

Susan was the highest at-large vote-getter overall and the top vote getter in every precinct!  Thanks for demonstrating your confidence in Susan’s work by turning out to vote in such large numbers.  Susan is looking forward to continuing to work with the other incumbent councilors on many issues in the term ahead.

 

News

  • Untitled Post
    Update on snow shoveling

    The Public Works subcommittee met on November 29 and once again debated the merits of having an ordinance requiring homeowners to shovel their walks.  Over time, Susan has become persuaded that the discussion about whether to have a law is a distraction from the real issue:  how to encourage more homeowners -- including absentee landlords -- to shovel their sidewalks. The whole Town Council will take up the issue at a meeting in January.
    Posted Dec 4, 2011, 5:56 PM by Susan Falkoff
  • Memo from the Tree Warden about Utility Pruning

    Since Monday, October 3, 2011, I have been receiving many concerned calls and emails regarding the return of the Nstar utility line tree pruners.  First let me start by saying that I have been with the Nstar pruning crews each day they have been in town.  There have been two crews working and they both work in very close proximity to each other.  I do not have to chase them around on different streets. 

    I know that many pictures have been posted online and can seem pretty alarming at first sight.  I assure you that the pictures are not telling the whole story.  Most of our trees in Watertown, and many of the trees in the photos, are older Norway maples.  Most of them were planted around the same time period, either after the hurricane of 1938 or the hurricane of 1954.  Unfortunately most of these trees have grown to a point where their root systems are now so wound up in the small planting area between the street and sidewalk that they are now “strangling” the trees or they have reached their natural age of decline.  This is called girdling and when girdling happens, branches die and need to be removed.  When you are walking around town, take a look up into the trees.  You will see exactly what I see everyday…many dead branches. 

    I have issued the work crews a permit which you can see on the Town’s website which requires that no branches can be removed over 4-inches in diameter without my approval.   Click here to see the entire memo.
    Posted Oct 21, 2011, 7:54 AM by Terese Hammerle
  • SUSAN RECEIVES ENDORSEMENT
    The Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has endorsed Susan Falkoff for Watertown Town Council.  Citing Susan's, "Strong commitment to social work values by working to improve government transparency, economic development, and environmental awareness," this organization of more than 8400 members also supported Susan in her 2010 campaign.   See the entire press release. 
    Posted Oct 2, 2011, 6:00 PM by Terese Hammerle
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