Around Town

Watertown Square Plan Approved by Council & Planning Board; Zoning & Design to Occur This Fall

By |

City Manager George Proakis addresses the City Council and Planning Board at the Watertown Square Area Plan hearing on July 16. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

After three meetings, and nearly 10 hours of discussion and public comment, the City Council and Planning Board approved the Watertown Square Area Plan on Tuesday night. The plan was amended by the Council, but retained the major goals of the version first discussed by the boards at the first meeting on June 13: a by-right housing unit capacity of 3,133; and the Four Corners reconfiguration of the Watertown Square roadways, which removes Charles River Road from the intersection. The details of the zoning and design to make the plan a reality will take place this fall, including some public meetings. During the public comment period, multiple people suggested the vote be postponed, and/or that the City should only allow for the minimum housing capacity required by the state, 1,701.

Entertainment

Wednesday’s Summer Concert Postponed Due to Heat

By |

With temperatures expected to get into the 90s on Wednesday, July 17, City of Watertown officials announced the postponement of the Summer Concert. “Due to the extreme heat advisory and potential for thunderstorms, the Summer Concert featuring the Squeezebox Stompers has been postponed to 9/4,” the City announced in an email. Summer concerts are held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8 p.m. at Saltonstall Park, next to City Hall. See the lineup here: https://watertown-ma.gov/761/Summer-Concert-Series

Around Town

Watertown Cancer Survivor Riding the 2024 Pan-Mass Challenge

By |

Theresa Welsh, right, and her partner Andrea. Welsh will be riding the 45th Pan-Mass Challenge to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in August. Theresa first rode the PMC in 2011 in honor of a friend, and Andrea started in 2023 to support Welsh. (Contributed Photo)

On Aug. 3 and 4, 2024, Watertown’s Theresa Welsh will join more than 6,500 riders who take on the 45th annual Pan-Mass Challenge, a bike-a-thon that raises money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Government

New Fire Boat, Welcoming New Police Pup, Search for Chief Information Officer

By |

Raider, the Watertown Police Department’s new comfort dog, and Officer Anna Margaryan. (Courtesy of the City of Watertown)

The City Council had a special visitor at last Tuesday’s meeting, and also approved funding for the Fire Department’s new boat, and discussed how to replace the outgoing director of information technology. Fire Boat

The City Council approved transferring $54,000 from other Fire Department accounts into the Fire Department Equipment Capital Account to pay for a new boat that will be used on the Charles River. The boat, known as Marine 1, will replace one that dates back to 2000, said Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. “In the summer months we put Marine 1 in water at the Watertown Yacht Club,” Nicholson said.

Schools

Watertown Students Earn Academic Honors at 11 Colleges

By |

Watertown students had a successful spring 2024 semester, and earned honors at MassBay, Quinnipiac, Hamilton College, Champlain College, Holy Cross, Dean College, University of Hartford, St. Olaf, Roger Williams, Fort Hays State, and Bucknell. The following information was provided by the colleges:

MassBay Community College

The following local students have been named to the MassBay Community College President’s List. They have achieved this outstanding academic honor for the spring 2024 semester. Margaret Sheehan of Watertown, who studies Liberal Arts

* Rachel Kpogo of Watertown, who studies General Business

* Shone Madapurakkal of Watertown, who studies General Business

* Derek Lanham of Watertown, who studies Criminal Justice

* Lena-Marie Sebugwawo of Watertown, who studies General Business

* Resty Nabiryo of Watertown, who studies Nursing

* Evan Foun of Watertown, who studies Computer Information Systems

The following local students have been named to the MassBay Community College Dean’s List.

Government

Reconstruction of Morse Street Approved by City Council

By |

One of the longer streets on Watertown’s Southside will soon begin to be reconstructed after the City Council approved funds for the project on Tuesday. The City Council approved the borrowing of $2 million to cover a portion of the $2.6 million project, said City Manager George Proakis. The rest will be covered by funds set aside by the City for other street and sidewalk capital projects. The Morse Street project is part of the Long Streets and Connector Road Program. Morse Street will be totally reconstructed, with a new 24-foot-wide roadway and 5-foot-wide sidewalks on both sides, said Watertown Public Works Superintendent Greg St.

Around Town

Dozens of Open Houses Around Watertown This Week

By |

A mix of properties, from condos to two-families, will be holding open houses this weekend in Watertown. 19 Garfield St., $2,750,000, 6 bedroom 6 bathroom 6,274 sq. ft. Single Family, Open house: Saturday, July 13 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

72 Bradford Road #2, $629,000, 2 bedroom 1 bathroom 1,140 sq. ft.