Real Estate

See the Dozens of Open Houses This Week in Watertown

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Watertown homebuyers have tons of options to choose from this week. $619,000 – 38 Bradshaw St., 7 room, 3 bedroom, 1 full & 1 half bathroom cape, Open Houses: Saturday 11:30-1:30 Sunday 12-2

$399,900 – 27-29 Fifield St. Unit 1, 5 room, 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom 2/3 family, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$475,000 – 81 Carroll St. Unit 81, 6 room, 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom townhouse, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$629,000 – 72 Edenfield Ave. Unit 72, 8 room, 4 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom 2/3 family, Open House: Sunday 11-12:30

$475,000 – 83 Carroll St.

40B Project

Developer Eyeing Spot on Major Watertown Intersection for 40B Housing Project

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An image from Google Maps showing the proposed site of a 113 unit 40B housing project at the corner of Coolidge Hill Road and Arlington Street. A developer has started the process to build a Chapter 40B residential project on a major intersection in East Watertown. Under the state law to encourage the building of affordable housing, 40B projects do not have to comply with many local zoning rules. The project is proposed for 19 Coolidge Hill Road, on the former E.H. Hinds Atlantic Plant property. The proposal, according to information submitted to the MassHousing Partnership (which oversees 40B projects), would have 113 rental units on the 0.9 acre lot, and would have 28 affordable units.

Around Town

LETTER: Group Hosting Vigil to End Human Detention Camps

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Event organizers submitted the following announcement:

On Friday, July 12, 2019, Lights for Liberty: A Vigil to End Human Detention Camps will bring thousands of people to locations across the nation to protest the inhumane conditions faced by refugees. We are part of a coalition of people dedicated to human rights and the fundamental principle behind democracy: that all human beings have a right to life, liberty and dignity. Please join us on the green in Watertown Square from 7-8 p.m. We’ll have candles–bring your signs and songs! This is a family- and child-friendly event. A silent sea of candles in cities, towns, homes, and especially at every detention camp, will light up the nation.

Around Town

Renovation of Mt. Auburn Cemetery’s Chapel Completed

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Renovation of Mount Auburn Cemetery’s Bigelow Chapel was recently completed. The following information was provided by Shawmut Design and Construction:

Shawmut Design and Construction, a leading $1.4 billion national construction management firm, announced its completion of a $15 million renovation of Mount Auburn’s Bigelow Chapel. The National Historic Landmark, located in Watertown reopened in December 2018 following enhancements to the 19th century building. Shawmut, together with William Rawn Associates and CSL, worked to enhance and preserve Bigelow Chapel’s façade and interior, which was originally constructed in 1845 out of Quincy granite. The team installed a new, floor-to-ceiling glass addition that complements the original Gothic Revival design by Dr. Jacob Bigelow and connects visitors within the space to the beautiful and meditative landscape outside.

Police/Fire

Watertown Helps Collect More than 100 Guns in Sheriff’s Buyback Program

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Some of the weapons collected in Watertown and Belmont in the MIddlesex Sheriff’s gun buyback in June. The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

One hundred twenty unwanted guns and ammunition were exchanged for gift cards to local stores and restaurants over four Saturdays of the “Safer Homes, Safer Communities” Eastern Middlesex County Regional Gun Buyback initiative, officials announced. The initiative – held June 8-29 – was a collaborative effort of the Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Newton and Watertown police departments, in conjunction with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office as well as faith- and community-based partners. This was the second regional buyback held in Middlesex County since 2016, with a total of 270 weapons exchanged for gift cards during the two regional initiatives. “I want to thank all our partners for their leadership in this area, and allowing us to continue to support these important community-based efforts,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian. “Offering residents these opportunities to safely remove unwanted and unsecured guns reduces the chances of theft or accidental discharge, making our homes and our communities safer.”

Included among the 120 guns accepted on the days of the events was a loaded .22-caliber pistol in Newton. The individual disposing of the gun was unaware that it was loaded.

Break In

Thieves Break Into Watertown Bicycle Store, Take Two Bikes

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A Watertown bicycle store was broken into, and two electric bicycles were taken. Watertown Police were called to Farina’s on Galen Street on July 6 at 10:12 p.m. for a break-in, said Watertown Police Sgt. Thomas Grady. The front door appeared to have been forced open. The locking mechanism was in place, but the doors were found open, Grady said.

Government

Funding to Design Arsenal Park Renovation Approved

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A view of the planned renovation of Arsenal Park. The Watertown Town Council approved $250,000 to be spent on the design of the majority of Arsenal Park renovation, while another section is moving ahead with funding from the developers of Arsenal Yards. The money will be used to do the detailed designs to all of the park, except for the eastern most part, which is being worked on in conjunction with Arsenal Yards. The project includes a multipurpose field —including a softball field — a playground in the northwest corner with a new bathroom, a picnic area and an expanded splash pad. In addition, the plan includes two basketball courts and three tennis courts, next to a picnic area and space for community gardens.

Community Choice Aggregation

UPDATED: Watertown Electrical Customers Moving to New Green Energy Program in Fall

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Watertown’s new electricity plan will get half its energy from renewable sources, such as solar panels. NOTE: A fourth informational meeting has been added, see details below:

In September, Watertown residents will be transitioned to the Town’s new Electricity Choice Program, which gets half its power from renewable sources. Customers have a choice to opt out of the program, or to get a greater percentage of green electricity. The new renewable energy contract will be part of the state’s Community Choice Aggregation program. In May, the Town Council gave Town Manager Michael Driscoll the authority to approve a contract with a greater amount of renewable energy that required by the state.