Development

Councilor Warns Building Moratorium Could Impact Town, School Budget

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Residents concerned about the pace and size of development in Watertown have requested a building moratorium on Arsenal Street, but a Town Councilor said stopping the projects could impact the town and school budgets. The town relies heavily on property tax revenues to fund town departments, including the Watertown Public Schools. Town Councilor Vincent Piccirilli said that new development is one of the keys to increasing the budget. The schools too rely heavily on the town’s appropriation. “The school appropriation increased almost 7 percent (for Fiscal 2015), and how were we able to do that under Proposition 2 1/2, was though new growth through new development in town,” Piccirilli said.

Around Town

Hundreds Turn Out for Watertown Library’s 5K Race

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The first ever WFPL 5K road race drew nearly 200 runners and raised money for the Watertown Free Public Library. On Saturday, June 21, 2014 runners of all ages gathered at the Watertown Free Public Library with their friends and families to participate in the first ever Watertown Library fun run. Emily Miranda, supervisor of Children’s Services, thanked the participants in the race:
“We at the library are inspired by our incredible patrons, and this event truly exemplified the spirit of this community. So what can you do now that the race is over? Support the library by taking advantage of all of the resources and programs we have to offer.  Ask questions!

Around Town

Celebrate the First Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Watertown

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Two weeks after the United Stated declared its independence from the British, the document proclaiming the new nation was read for the first time in Massachusetts in Watertown. The next day the first treaty entered into by the U.S. was signed in town, too. On Saturday, July 19, 2014, the Historical Society of Watertown will mark the anniversaries of these events with a reading of the Declaration of Independence and a celebration of the Treaty of Watertown. The free event will be Saturday from noon-4 p.m. at the Edmund Fowle House and Museum, 28 Marshall St. The Declaration was first read on July 18, 1776, and on July 19, 1776, a treaty was signed with the St.

Around Town

Watertown Resident Featured in Globe Story on Adventure Racing

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Watertown’s Rick Keilty recently spent four days venturing through 250 miles of woods in Maine by foot, bicycle and boat. The adventure racer was featured in a story in the Boston Globe. He and his teammate Eric Wyler of Brighton took part in the Untamed New England race near Moosehead Lake. Teams from around the world came out to take on the event, which showcases land preserved by the Boston-based Appalachian Mountain Club’s Maine Woods Initiative. Keilty and Wyler took 30th in the competition.

Around Town

Mount Auburn Hospital Honors Blood Donors

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Mt. Auburn Hospital recently hosted their first ever Corporate Blood Donor Awards breakfast. Companies who support the hospital’s Blood Donor Center and send their employees to the hospital to donate blood were honored and thanked. On hand to recognize each of the donors was Elzbieta Griffiths, MD, Director of the Blood Bank and Donor Center at Mount Auburn Hospital. Among the honorees were Mary Salvucci, head of human resources at Perkins School for the Blind and David Campbell, property manager at CB Richard Ellis, New England Partners, LP

Around Town

See Who Will Lead Watertown Rotary Next Year & Award Winners

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The Watertown Rotary Club appointed its new president and board, and gave out awards during the annual installation of officers and board members. The new Watertown President will be Anthony Donato, the President-Elect is Ronald LeSanto, and the Vice President is Jesse Wallace. The new treasurer is Edward Sugrue, Secretary will be Debra A. Boyajian, Club Advisor-Robert Whitney and Past President Terry Griffith, Jr.

The Board of Directors are: Dr. Domenic D’Amico, John Nealon, Maria Papadopoulos, Dr. Martin J. Greene, Nicole Starck and Alexander Rosin.  

Awards were also handed out during the ceremony. The Outstanding Rotarian went to Anna Glover and Rotary’s highest honor, a Paul Harris Fellow, was awarded to Meg Urquhart.

Development

Council Considering Options for Arsenal Street Moratorium

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The Town Council voted to have a public hearing to consider how to approach a citizens petition asking for a moratorium on development on Arsenal Street. Wednesday night the Council heard from the petitioners, who want to put a hold on new large projects on Arsenal Street. The petition was started after some large projects have been proposed, and others appear to be in the pipeline. The Council will likely decide how to proceed with a moratorium at the meeting on July 22 at 6 p.m. in Town Hall. “Its not only time sensitive because of the petition, but also something being brought forward with all the things (projects being brought),” said Town Council President Mark Sideris.

Business

Hair Salon Owner Feeling at Home in Watertown

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Three years ago Meghan Moran decided to open her own business and moved from Newbury Street to Watertown, where she transformed a motorcycle store into a hair salon. Moran opened Alainn, 1 Louise St., and she said her business has been going strong since. She named it for the Gallic word for beautiful, in honor of her Irish heritage. “My goal is for everyone to leave here feeling beautiful,” Moran said. She cuts and colors hair, and also does some bridal services.