Real Estate

Four Properties in Watertown Were Sold This Week

By |

A Townhouse, a single-family home and a two two-family homes were sold this week. $502,000 – 354 Lexington St. Unit 354, Condo – Townhouse, 874 Living Area Sq. Ft., 5 Room, 3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom

$995,000 – 24-26 Dartmouth St., Multi-family Home – 2 Family – 2 Units Up/Down, 2,254 Living Area Sq. Ft., 2 Units, 11 Total Rooms, 4 Total Bedrooms

Sponsored by:

$794,900 – 135 Nichols Ave., Single Family – Detached Ranch, 1,200 Living Area Sq.

Government

Upgrades to Softball Facilities Planned at O’Connell Field as Part of Hosmer School Project

By |

Ai3 ArchitectsA map of the proposed additions to O’Connell Field, shown in yellow. The white pathways are already in the plans. The athletic fields at O’Connell Field will likely be getting some upgrades as part of the construction of the new Hosmer Elementary School, but some neighbors are concerned about the loss of green space and other issues. At Wednesday night’s School Building Committee meeting, designers presented a preliminary design for upgrades to O’Connell Field, which runs along Mt. Auburn Street in front of the Brigham House and sits next to Hosmer’s playground.

Real Estate

Several Open Houses to Visit This Week in Watertown

By |

See this week’s open houses around town this week. $699,000 – 115 Summer St., Multi-family Home – 2 Family, 2,198 Living Area Sq. Ft., 2 Units, 8 Total Rooms, 4 Total Bedrooms, Open Houses: Saturday 1-3 Sunday 2-3:30

$865,000 – 101 North Beacon St. Unit 309, Condo – Mid-Rise, 1,028 Living Area Sq. Ft., 4 Room, 2 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathroom, Open House: Saturday 11:30-1

$549,900 – 10 Hillcrest Cir.

Schools

Watertown High School Project Design Sent to State for Approval

By |

Ai3 ArchitectsAn illustration of what the outside of the new Watertown High School will look like. The final design concept for the new Watertown High School project, and the budget of nearly $200 million, received approval from the School Committee and the School Building Committee on Wednesday night. The schematic design report, including the designs and the budget of $198.39 million, will be sent to the Massachusetts School Building Authority Board to be considered at its meeting on March 2, 2022. The project will be paid for by the City of Watertown through borrowing, but it will not require a temporary property tax override to cover the cost, said City Auditor Tom Tracy. “The Town is carrying $200 million in debt services for the high school project,” Tracy said. 

The project design has reached its goal of Zero Net Energy, said Project Designer Jordan of Ai3 Architects, including 1.4 megawatts of electricity to be produced by the solar photovoltaic array at the school.

Elections

Council Approves Changes to Watertown Voting Precincts, Some Worried About Lack of Detailed Map

By |

Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

Some Watertown residents will be moved to a different precinct, and vote in a different location, after changes to the precinct boundaries were approved by the City Council Tuesday night. Precincts are changed every 10 years after the results of the Census are released. The changes were complicated by the fact that Watertown’s House districts also changed, with Precinct 9 moving from the 29th Middlesex (represented by Steve Owens) to the 10th Middlesex (John Lawn’s district). The Council had been scheduled to considered the changes at a previous meeting, but they found that the precincts didn’t match up for state and local elections, said City Council President Mark Sideris. “The first time we tried to do this there was going to be a situation where a constituent would have to vote in a city election in one place and a state election in a different place,” Sideris said.

Schools

John Portz Says Farewell to School Committee After 16 Years, Also Served on Town Council

By |

Northeastern UniversityJohn Portz retired from the School Committee in December after 16 years. He also served eight years as a Town Councilor. School Committee Chair John Portz oversaw his final meeting earlier this month, ending not only 16 years on the School Committee but more than 25 years serving the residents of Watertown. At the Dec. 4 meeting, Portz’s colleagues paid tribute to his dedication to the students of Watertown, his steady leadership, and for focusing on working as a team.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Stolen Vehicle Recovered in Georgia, Argument Between Co-Workers Escalates

By |

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

Nov. 29, 9:43 p.m.: Two employees at the UPS facility on Coolidge Avenue got into an argument about a woman while in the break room. Their break ended and one of the men headed toward his work station and the second, Jesse Romero Velasquez, followed him. The argument continued and Velasquez took out a pocket knife and made stabbing motions toward the other man.

Around Town

Entries Wanted for Watertown Holiday Lighting & Decorations Contest

By |

Enter the Watertown Holiday Decorations and Lights Contest and win money for yourself and your favorite local charity. Which house in Watertown has the best holiday display? If you think it is your home, enter the Watertown Holiday Lighting & Decoration Contest. The winner will receive a $250 American Express gift card and $250 for your favorite Watertown charity or non-profit organization. Homes will be judged on the following criteria:

Unique design and creative use of lights and decorationsStoryline or themeDisplay and placement of decorations, animated objects, etc.Overall presentation

Judges will not enter the home or walk in the yard.