Common Council Meeting | The City of Watertown | August 20, 2024

The City of Watertown Common Council meeting on August 20, 2024, included extensive discussions on zoning amendments related to the Alward Street property, with debates over rezoning from single-family to multi-family residential (MR10). Several motions to approve rezoning ordinances failed after public concerns about density, neighborhood impact, and the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds were raised. The council also received an update on a fully inclusive recreational area project at Riverside Park, highlighting a $1.7 million budget funded through grants and donations, with plans for public bidding and construction in the spring. Additionally, the council approved resolutions related to pay grade adjustments for city staff, the urban area boundary map to facilitate grant funding, a $99,700 contract with HKGI for a bike and pedestrian network master plan (with a $20,000 city match), and applications for urban forestry grants. These procurement actions and budget allocations reflect the city's ongoing capital improvement and planning efforts.