Business

Get to Know Watertown Life Sciences in a Virtual Panel of Biotech Execs – Submit Your Questions

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Leaders of Watertown’s newest industry will be talking about their companies and the influx of life science into Town during the Watertown Business Coalition’s virtual event. A recent survey found about 50 biotech firms located in Watertown of various sizes and stages of development. Get to know life sciences from a panel of five executives from four life science companies located in Watertown. The event will be held on Thursday, April 29 from 4-5 p.m. To RSVP click here. The WBC’s Life Science Panel will include: Joanne Kamens, Executive Director of Addgene; Mark Bamforth, Founder, Exec.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Who Drove Up on Sidewalk Faces OUI Charge, Shoplifter Hits Car in Lot While Fleeing

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

April 7, 4:31 p.m.: Police were called by someone who observed a woman sitting in a white car for an extended period and the caller said the woman was acting strangely. The vehicle was parked on Spruce Street and when officers spoke to the woman she said she was there because her boyfriend lived in the area. She was unable to tell police in which house he lived. When speaking with her, Police learned that there was a warrant for her arrest from the Brockton District Court for reckless endangerment of a child.

Real Estate

Two Single Family Homes and a Condo Sold in Watertown This Week

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A pair of Watertown properties were sold this week. $885,127.60 – 456 Belmont St. Unit 14, Watertown, MA, Condo – Other, 1,488 Living Area Sq. Ft., 5 Room, 2 Bedroom, 2 Full & 1 Half Bathroom

$766,500 – 46 Quincy St., Single Family – Detached Colonial, 1,675 Living Area Sq. Ft., 6 Room, 4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathroom

$795,000 – 22 Myrtle St., Single Family – Detached Colonial, 1,815 Living Area Sq.

Government

Watertown’s Town Clerk Retires After 26 Years, Oversaw Challenging 2020 Elections

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John Flynn, right, retired after 26 years serving as Watertown’s Town Clerk. Here he swears in members of the Town Council at the Watertown Inauguration on Jan. 2, 2018. A fixture in Town Hall whose smiling face welcomed many to the Town Clerk’s office has retired after more than a quarter century serving the residents of Watertown. Watertown Town Clerk John Flynn stepped down after 26 years in the position that oversees elections and Town records among many duties.

Around Town

More Than a Dozen Open Houses to Visit in Watertown This Weekend

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Plenty of open houses to choose from in Watertown this week. $600,000 – 24 Morse Unit 1, Condo – 2/3 Family, 1,262 Living Area Sq. Ft., 6 Room, 2 Bedroom, 1 Full & 1 Half Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$489,000 – 8 Phillips St U:2, Condo, 1,132 Living Area Sq. Ft., 5 Room, 3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom, Open House: Saturday 11-12:30

$485,000 – 40 Bigelow Ave. Unit 19, Condo – Low-Rise, 765 Living Area Sq.

Entertainment

Town Council Approves Creation of Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee

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The Town Council approved the creation of the Public Arts and Culture Committee, which will make recommendations for public art similar to the mural painted at Uncommon Grounds, as well as cultural events. A Public Arts and Culture Committee will be appointed by the Town Council to make recommendations on public art and cultural programs in Watertown. The Town Council approved the committee’s creation on Tuesday night. It will have nine members and will make recommendations that must be approved by the Town Manager and Town Council. The Public Arts and Cultural Committee’s recommendations will fall into two areas, according to the Town Council’s resolution:

Art in Public Places: Permanent, semi-permanent, temporary, and ephemeral artworks and activations that create a vibrant, welcoming, inclusive, and connected public realm.

Development

Zoning for Central Business District Changed to Allow Labs, Light Industry in Historic Buildings

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The Town Council approved a change to Watertown’s Zoning Ordinance that would allow life science labs as well as light industrial uses in the downtown area near Watertown Square, but only in structures built 84 years ago or before. The amendment was proposed by Berkeley Investments, the new owners of the building now occupied by Sasaki at 64 Pleasant St., which plans to create life science lab space and preserve the historic mill building, said Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon. The Zoning amendment changes allowable uses for structures built before the Zoning Ordinance was adopted in 1937, and would allow light industry, non-nuisance manufacturing, laboratory/research, and renewable research. It only applies to the Central Business (CB) zone, which is around Watertown Square. The uses would be allowed by right in the qualifying buildings under 4,000 sq.