The Public Facilities Committee approved the following (see the report and watch the meeting video):
- Grant of Location at Armory & Washington St for Eversource electric conduit (7-1, Councilor Kelley not voting) Authorized underground conduit (approx. 120′ on Armory; 30′ on Washington) to deliver electric service to the West Newton Armory. Discussion covered trench restoration to DPW standards and coordination with the armory redevelopment team.
- Authorization to grant NStar Electrical Company (doing business as Eversource Energy) a utility easement at the West Newton Armory (7-1, Councilor Kelley not voting). Granted access for a transformer and related equipment needed to serve the site under the City’s ground lease structure.
- $1,650,000 from Certified Free Cash for FY26 Vehicle Replacement Program (7-1, Councilor Kelley not voting) Early appropriation enables ordering within manufacturer “open order” windows, avoiding price escalators and delivery delays. City staff estimate avoiding ~$50–$75K in model-year increases and highlighted lifecycle cost control and fleet reliability.
Held/Discussion:
- Bullough’s Pond Dam rehabilitation (8-0) Continued a technical briefing on overtopping vs. breach risks, the state Dam Safety Order, and downstream capacity constraints. Staff outlined broader stormwater planning underway and why dam remediation must proceed in parallel. The City has dredged the City Hall Pond and is planning work at Edmands Park, as well as, replacing culverts. The water goes through Watertown and some culverts run through residents’ backyards. The City stated that an upcoming study will examine all streams, culverts, and infrastructure in the stormwater system. “Katheen Grieser, Vice-President and Media/Events Director of the Bullough’s Pond Association from 238 Mill Street, stated that the latest suggestions from the Bullough’s Pond Association (BPA) and the Working Group have not been presented accurately in correspondence with ODS Director William Salomaa. She noted that the BPA opposes armoring the dam, adding that current thinking about maintaining trees on dams has evolved, while the ODS’ approach is outdated. She mentioned advances in modern weir technology and noted that engineers are developing mechanisms to remediate historic dams in other states.” The City stated they sent detailed responses to the public’s and Bullough’s Pond Association’s questions.
When asked about removing the dam entirely, the City resonded “that the aesthetics and history of Bullough’s Pond are very important to the City. Aside from Crystal Lake, there are no other water features apart from rivers and streams. … Bullough’s Pond also serves as a reservoir, helping to mitigate downstream flooding during most rain events except the most extreme. Losing the pond could increase flood risks to the village center, high school, and residences downstream.”
Present: Councilors Albright (Chair), Danberg, Gentile, Getz, Kalis, Kelley, Leary, and Laredo
Also present: Councilors Lucas, Greenberg, Block, and Wright
City Staff: Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Yeo, City Engineer Alfredo Vargas, Senior Assistant City Solicitor Andrew Lee, Director of Planning and Development Barney Heath
