Government

Deadline to Apply for Residential Property Tax Exemptions Coming Up

By |

Some Watertown resident qualify for residential tax exemptions, but to take advantage they must apply by April 1. There are several exemptions or reductions for qualifying veterans of the military, as well as for the blind and qualifying seniors. All owners of residential property in Watertown who make it their primary residence can qualify for the residential exemption of more than $3,000. Some of the exemptions are:

Seniors 65+, $1,000

Seniors 70+, surviving spouse or minor child of deceased parent, $350

Blind, $1,000

Community Preservation Tax Exemption, low or moderate income, entire surcharge

Disabled veteran, 10% disability letter, $800

Disabled veteran, letter for permanent loss of one hand, foot or eye, $1,500

Disabled veteran, letter for permanent loss of two hands, feet or eyes, $2,500

Disabled veteran, total disability letter, $3,000

Veteran, died in combat, all property taxes

Veteran, 100% disability letter, $2,000

Senior Tax Work off, up to $1,500

Veteran Tax Work off, up to $1,500

Click here to see the exemptions offered by the City of Watertown with basic qualifications. 

Exemption applications can be submitted to the Watertown Assessor’s office online by clicking here

City Council

City Council Wants to Talk to DCR About Closing of Greenough Blvd.

By |

City Councilors have invited representatives from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to talk about the status of Greenough Boulevard in 2022, and whether it will once again be closed to traffic for several months. City Council President Mark Sideris said he would like the Council to have discussions with officials from the State agency that owns the roadway known as “Little Greenough,” which runs along the Charles River from Arsenal to North Beacon streets. “A year ago, this came before Council and we wrote a letter saying we want to have discussions, and DCR basically closed Little Greenough without any further talks with the City,” Sideris said. “I have spoken to (state) Sen. (Will) Brownsberger and he thought it was appropriate that we ask that they come talk to the Committee.” 

A screenshot of a Google Map showing the section of Greenough Boulevard closed by the DCR for recreation use in 2021. It stretches from North Beacon Street to Arsenal Street.

Around Town

Hatch Maker Space: YardArt Extended, April Workshops

By |

The following information was provided by Hatch Makerspace:

Hatch Makerspace is located at 20 Summer Street in Watertown, MA. An extension of the Watertown Free Public Library, we are a free public workshop with space, equipment, and materials available for your use. YardArt

YardArt is a citywide exhibit of whimsy and ingenuity on our front yards, open to anyone living or working in Watertown. Follow the map on foot, bike or car to view the installations: https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1aAqn1TWJgVQqFAGvRdv4jx0aZwyoBUWS&ehbc=2E312F

Latecomer? No problem! There is still time to register to get a yard sign and appear on the YardArt 2022 map.

Government

Council Approves $2.5 Million for Road Projects, See Which Roads Are on the List

By |

Funds to repair road in 2022 were approved by the City Council this week. The $2.5 million will go toward reconstructing four roadways in Watertown. Department of Public Works Superintendent Greg St. Louis said the streets on the list for repairs this year are: Boylston Street (from Fairfield Street to Porter Street), Chester Street, Locke Street, and Chapman Street (from Main Street to Highland Avenue). The work will include fully replacing the roadway surface, installing granite curbing and replacing sidewalks.

Government

Funding to Renovate, Expand Lowell School Approved by Council

By |

Ai3 ArchitectsA view of what the renovation to the Lowell School, including the addition seen on the right, which has tall windows, including on the corners. The funds for Watertown’s third elementary school project got approval from the City Council Tuesday night. The Lowell Elementary School project, unlike the first two, will not be a brand new school. Instead the historic building will undergo a major renovation and will have some additions. The approval for borrowing $48.895 million for the Lowell project on Tuesday came on the same night that the Council approved borrowing $198 million to construct the new Watertown High School.

Entertainment

Watertown Movie Theater Hosting International Film Festival Screenings

By |

The Majestic 7 cinema in Watertown. Watertown’s Majestic 7 will hold two screenings during Belmont World Film 2022, including the closing night show. This year’s festival will have eight films, with three available in-person and online, four only online only, and one only in-person. Other in-person films will be hosted by the West Newton Cinema. The Majestic 7, located in Arsenal Yards, will host the opening movie, A Change of Heart, on March 27 (which is also available online), and the closing night film on May 16, Silent Land, which is only in-person.