Watertown Council Backs Fair Share Amendment 5-2 Over Jurisdictional Objections

WATERTOWN -- October 25, 2022, Watertown City Council votes 5-2 to back Fair Share Amendment ahead of November ballot. The council approved a resolution Tuesday supporting Question 1, the proposed statewide ballot measure that would impose an additional 4 percent income tax on annual income above $1 million, with proceeds dedicated to public education and transportation. Council President Mark Sideris voted "present," saying he personally supported the measure but did not believe formal council endorsement of a state ballot question fell within the body's appropriate role; Councilor Laura Issa and Councilor Vincent Rizzo voted no on the same jurisdictional grounds while stating they would support the amendment personally on election day. The council also voted unanimously to advance a revised version of House Bill 5009, authorizing an affordable housing linkage fee on commercial development, back to the legislature after minor non-substantive edits, and heard a presentation from the Charles River Watershed Association calling for a letter of support to DCR for removal of the 56-year-old Watertown Dam, which presenters described as in poor condition and detrimental to river health.