Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/author/cbreitro/page/134/)
A mix of different types of properties are holding open houses over the weekend. 32 Whites Ave. #E111, $450,000 2 bedroom 2 bathroom 1,050 sq. ft. Condo, Open Houses: Saturday, July 15 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Sunday, July 16 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
20 Putnam St.
Watertown City Hall
The City Council did not pass two citizen petitions seeking to change Watertown’s zoning rules, but Councilors said they heard the frustration expressed by the supporters and signers and said they support many of the ideas contained in the petitions. The first petition called for reducing the floor area ratio (FAR) allowed for new buildings in the Watertown Square area, while the second called for more protections for residential neighborhoods located next to areas where large commercial or residential projects could be built.
While the Council rejected the petitions — the first not going to a vote after receiving no second, and the second unanimously voted against — City Council President Mark Sideris said he has heard the signers of the petitions concerns. “I want to take a moment to thank the 600 people who signed the petitions because I think there is some frustration — and we noticed that this evening — with the process. I think we can always do a better job with process, and I think the Manager’s FY24 budget had proposed additional ways that we can communicate with the citizens and we approved that, ” Sideris said. “There is clearly a sense of frustration and I am not sure that any actions that we are going to take are going to satisfy those frustrations until, as somebody pointed out, that we come together and talk about things comprehensively.”
Petition 1: Watertown Square Building Size
The Council heard from people supporting and opposing the petitions.
The second Walk N Talk of the summer will take place Thursday, July 13 at Perkins School for the Blind. The events take place monthly and are co-sponsored by the City of Watertown’s Live Well Watertown program and the Watertown Business Coalition. Walk N Talks last about an hour. “The WALK N’ TALKS are designed to get us outside and walking while learning a bit more about our city! Bring a friend or meet someone new,” said the announcement from Live Well Watertown. Visit the historic Perkins School for the Blind campus to Move, Walk and Talk!
Police seek suspects connected to a string of car break-ins in a Watertown neighborhood that resulted in two vehicles being stolen. Overnight from July 7 to July 8, several residents of Standish Road, Lovell Road, Poplar Street Walcott Road and Merrill Road reported that their vehicles had been broken into, and two said their vehicles were missing. Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor said that a Nissan SUV was taken from Lovell Road, and later turned up on Merrill Road. And, a resident of Merrill Road reported that his Audi Q7 had been taken out of his driveway. The first report of a break-in came on July 8 at 2:37 a.m. Police responded to a Standish Road home, where a homeowner got an alert from her doorbell cam that there had been some movement in front of her home at 1:30 a.m. The video shows a suspect fleeing, and the resident discovered that her car’s center console and glove box had been rummaged through, but nothing was missing.
Dawn Evans Scaltreto’s watercolor, “Peonies and Chives.” The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:
The Mosesian Center for the Arts will highlight the work of its talented staff in two events in July. On Thursday, July 13, the arts center will open Impressions, the first showcase of artworks by Mosesian Arts staff and teaching artists. A reception open to the public will be held on July 13 beginning at 5:30 PM in the arts center galleries. Impressions will include work spanning from painting, prints, drawings, photographs, and collages to mixed media pieces, music videos, and recordings. In addition, some of our talented designers will exhibit costumes created for various productions, and the script of a play will be available to read for all theater enthusiasts.
The artificial turf has been removed from Victory Field, and will be replaced over the summer. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
This summer some of Watertown’s fields and recreation facilities have been filled with construction crews and equipment, instead of residents and athletic equipment. The football and baseball fields at Victory Field, the courts at Moxley Field, and the spray pad at Filippello Park all have ongoing construction projects. Recreation Director Peter Centola thanked City Manager George Proakis for placing a priority on completing some delayed park and field projects. “One thing I am very appreciative of Mr. Proakis and leadership and the City Council is for really just understanding that you can’t continue to have projects on the backlog and not do it,” Centola said.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
July 1, 12:07 a.m.: An officer spotted a vehicle stopped facing the wrong way on Baptist Walk. The Jeep Grand Cherokee had its engine running and was facing toward Mt. Auburn Street, on the road which is one way the other direction. The driver appeared to be sleeping behind the wheel, and the officer had to knock several times to wake him.
A single family home and a condo were sold this week. 221 Arlington St., 4 bedroom 2 bathroom 1,608 sq. ft. Single Family, Sold: $755,000
804 Mount Auburn St. #804, 2 bedroom 1 bathroom 771 sq.