Which Watertown Capital Projects Would You Fund?
Watertown's Capital Improvement Plan includes $11.7 million in projects that are yet unfunded, which do you like?
When Town Manager Michael Driscoll revealed his 2014-18 Capital Improvement Plan in included $128.9 million in projects and major purchases over the next five years, and $16.3 million next fiscal year, but some has no funding, right now.
The largest chunk of the capital plan will go toward street and sidewalk improvement, Driscoll said, with $93.8 million set aside for that from fiscal 2014 to 2018. See the entire Capital Improvement Plan by clicking here.
In Fiscal 2014, which begins on July 1, 2013, includes funding for several projects and vehicles with tax revenue including:
- Renovation of the track and the field at Victory Field and Moxley Field ($120,000)
- Purchasing four vehicles for the Fire Chief and other staff ($35,000),
- Restoring the Civil War Soldier's Monument ($10,000)
- Restorations to Town Hall ($20,000).
Other funding would come from borrowing, including:
- Victory Field track and field hockey improvements ($2.5 million)
- Updating the carpets, entrance and other parts of the library ($100,000)
- Remodeling the John Ryan Skating Arena, including the metal roof ($775,000)
Some projects do not have any funds designated to pay for them, including:
- Watertown Square Parking Structure ($5 million)
- Cooolidge Square design and renovation ($3 million)
- Community Path extension from Main Street to Mt. Auburn Street ($60,000)
Which projects do you like? Where would you spend the town's capital dollars? Share in the comment section below.
Nathanael Pine
9:51 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Repaving Waltham St; between Bridge St. and Seyon St.
Mara
12:26 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Leave Victory Field renovations alone. Except for walkers, the only beneficiaries are students. The school should pay for sports expenses.
I vote for the community path extension which benefits all residents, parking in Watertown Square which helps businesses there and thus benefits our tax rates, and fixing broken monuments around town.
Nathanael Pine
12:28 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Mara makes some valid points.
Waterway
3:09 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
We have one artificial turf field which is managed via a fence and personnel. I would not want to see more artificial turf at any of our present 'open spaces'. The field inside the track is grass and is used by many people for pick nicks/playing with their kids/sports. Please don't take this away as Artificial turf will be way to hot in the summer to be on ..and the walkers will feel a rise in the temp too. Plus it won't last as long as it won't be managed like the Victory field(unless they fence that off too and only allow during certain times..which I would not want either). I would like to see some side walk improvements..we don't need an outdoor ice rink but we do need to fix up Ryan Rink.
GB
3:29 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Watertown Square Structured Parking $5,000,000 where the old police station and other open lots are located. ( 2 birds-one stone)
Coolidge Square Design & Renovation $3,000,000
Former East Branch Renovation/Reuse -- Sell it
Former North Branch Renovation/Reuse -- Sell it
Information Technology Improvements $ 250,000
Charlie Breitrose
8:46 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Thanks for the input, everyone. GB, I think the town wants to sell the two Library branches, but they may need to invest in them to sell or lease them. They have been on the market for more than a year with no deals yet.
Maria Rose
9:23 pm on Monday, February 4, 2013
I second Nathaniel's comment for re-paving of Waltham Street. I like the path idea and more parking in Watertown Square. Do not think the skating rink is worth investing that much $$$ into when a nice rink is just down the road on the Newton / Brighton line (Nonantum Rd).