Charity

See Which Groups Got Grants from the Marshall Home Fund

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The Marshall Home Fund awarded more than $40,000 in grants to groups providing services to Watertown residents age 55 and over ranging from healthcare to music to transportation. The Board of Directors pledged $42,275 to nine local organizations. A ceremony was held on May 8 at the First Parish Church of Watertown. See what the grants will be used for below:

Arsenal Center for the Arts: The Open Door Project allows many more older residents to enjoy studio art classes, films, music, and theater events that might otherwise be out of their reach financially. Perkins School for the Blind: Thriving with Vision Loss provides older adults with access to the resources of the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library.

Police/Fire

Police Chief Sees Heroin as a Growing Concern in Watertown

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From overdose deaths to drug dealing and car break-ins, Watertown first responders have seen an alarming increase in the use of heroin in town and problems associated with the drug. Last year, Watertown had eight deaths from overdoses on heroin, Town Councilor Tony Palomba said Wednesday night. Police Chief Edward Deveau said his officers and other departments have seen an rise of use and overdoses. “Last year in Middlesex County there were 53 deaths (from heroin overdoses),” Deveau said. “There have been 40 in the first two months of this year.”

Around Town

Tufts Health Plan Emphasizes “Health” for its Employees

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Last Friday, the parking lot at Tufts Health Plan seemed more like fair or gym as employees enjoyed the annual Field Day. The company set up a climbing wall, ping-pong tables, massage chairs and mini-golf. The 1,850 Tufts workers could also grab a jump rope or hula hoop, or organize a game of volleyball, basketball or even take part in a home run derby. They could also relax with a massage. This is just one of the efforts focusing on the health and fitness of the employees by the company, which has its headquarters on Mt.

Business

See Inside Watertown’s Newest Apartment Complex

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The Watertown Mews apartment complex have risen quickly on Pleasant Street, and residents have started to move into the complex across from Russo’s market. Even while construction continues on the second building, the first building already has its first residents, said Trenda Wallace, property manager at Watertown Mews. The complex was built next to the Repton Place condominium complex, but units at Watertown Mews will be rented. Originally the land was to be used for an addition to the Repton Place complex, but it was sold. The two complexes share an entrance.

Business

Owner of Arsenal Project Buys Another Property in Area

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Boylston Properties, one of the owners of the Arsenal Project, has purchased property down the street from the mall. The group has agreed to purchase a 10-acre parcel at 480 Arsenal St., according to a report on Banker & Tradesman. It is currently used by biotech company 480 Biomedical, but it could be rezoned for residential use, Boylston Properties President William McQuillan told Banker & Tradesman. Along with the mall, the group has purchased the former Charles River Saab dealership and has plans to build a six-story Residence Inn by Marriott hotel in that location. (See details here).

Police/Fire

Truck Driver Trapped by Live Wires After Knocking Down Poles

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A garbage truck driver was trapped after he knocked down poles, and had live electrical wires fall on his truck Wednesday morning. Around 10 a.m., a driver knocked down poles in the area of Templeton Parkway and Mt. Auburn Street. Firefighters responded and, according to scanner reports, put out a transformer fire. Traffic has been closed in Coolidge Square in East Watertown while the poles are being repaired and the area cleaned up.

Business

Watertown Belmont Chamber Hosting Business Breakfast Round Table

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The Watertown Belmont Chamber of Commerce will will host an event at Eastern Bank in Watertown about loan programs to grow your business. The speaker at the Business Breakfast Round Table will be Charles Smith of Eastern Bank. He will talk about the SBA Loan Program which provides entrepreneurs with access to capital, including the 7a and 504 programs.

Bring your business cards so you can network, too. The event is on Wednesday, May 28, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Eastern Bank, 1 Church St. in Watertown.

Government

UPDATED: Watertown Dog Park Opening Soon!

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UPDATED May 25: The dog park is now open. Watertown Recreation Director Peter Centola announced that the new dog park at How Park had a soft opening on Saturday, May 24. Original Story:

The long awaited dog park will soon be open in Watertown, town officials said Monday night. The enclosed area is being built at How Park on Pleasant Street in Watertown. The 200-foot by 100-foot fenced in enclosure should be done soon, Recreation Director Peter Centola told the Town Council during his budget hearing Monday night.