Around Town

Watertown Fire Department to Hold 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on 20th Anniversary

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The Watertown Fire Department will mark the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 on Saturday at the Main Fire Station. The Town of Watertown sent out the following information about the ceremony:

The Watertown Fire Department will be conducting a brief remembrance ceremony for the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 9:55 a.m. at Fire Station Headquarters, 99 Main St., Watertown, MA. Everyone is welcome to attend. Plan of Events

9:55 a.m. – Apparatus roll out of bays to appropriate location in front of station.

Real Estate

Thirty Open Houses to Check Out This Weekend Around Watertown

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Watertown home seekers have a wealth of choices this week. $499,000 – 53 Aldrich Road Unit A, Condo – Low-Rise, 744 Living Area Sq. Ft., 4 Room, 2 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom, Open House: Saturday 11-12

$1,299,900 – 23 Everett Ave., Single Family – Detached Colonial, 2,719 Living Area Sq. Ft., 7 Room, 4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 1-3 Sunday 1-3

$925,000 – 24-26 Wilson Ave., Multi-family Home – 2 Family, 2,463 Living Area Sq. Ft., 2 Units, 12 Total Rooms, 4 Total Bedrooms, Open Houses: Saturday 11:30-1 Sunday 11:30-1

$525,000 – 13 Circuit Lane Unit 13, Condo – Townhouse, 1,474 Living Area Sq.

Commenting

New Rules for Commenting on Election Stories and Candidates

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown residents cast their ballots at Watertown Town Hall in 2020. Watertown has a big election coming up on Nov. 2, 2021, with several contested races as well as the proposed Charter changes. The discussion about the candidates and the issues has already become contentions, so in order to provide some accountability when it comes to commenting a new policy will apply to comments on election stories, or those about candidates on other stories. Candidates have put themselves out there and express their opinions and platforms. While it is fair game to question and oppose those things, to make it a level playing field, commenters should also stand behind their opinions by signing their comments.

Election 2021

Town Charter Changes Going on the Ballot, Info to be Sent to Residents

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The proposed changes to the Town Charter, the document that lays out how Watertown’s government operates, will be on the November ballot in the form of two questions. The items will appear as summaries on the ballot, but voters will receive detailed information about all the changes. On Sept. 2, the Town Council ironed out a few issues the Attorney General’s office had with the proposed Charter changes, and also discussed how the items should be on the ballot. Number of Ballot Questions

Initially, the proposal was to have three separate items: one on changing the official name from the “The City Known as the Town of Watertown” to “The City of Watertown,” one about the preamble proposed to be added at the beginning of the Charter, and a third covering “everything else,” or all the other changes to the document.

Government

Watertown Town Hall Hours Change After Labor Day, See When It’s Open

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Watertown Town Hall

The hours for the Town’s offices returned to the typical schedule after being altered over the summer. The Town of Watertown sent out the following updated Town Hall hours:

Watertown Town Hall hours are Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The following town departments are open until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday evenings:

Assessor’s OfficeTown Clerk’s OfficeTreasurer/Collector’s Office

There is a Watertown Board of Health Order mandating the wearing of face coverings indoors throughout Watertown. Please bring, and wear a face mask, if you come to Town Hall. Thank you.

Police/Fire

Two-Family Home in Watertown Heavily Damaged in Two-Alarm Fire

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Five residents of a two-family home on Spruce Street have been displaced by a two-alarm fire that Firefighters from Watertown and four other communities battled on Monday night. Smoke detectors in the second floor unit of 143 Spruce St. woke up the residents, who were able to get out and wake up the residents of the first floor. Five people and a dog all got out safely, said Watertown Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson, but the house was significantly damaged. “The fire got a good head start.

Entertainment

Guitarist Featured in Summer Concert Has Played with Jazz & Rock Greats, His Music Has Been Used by TV Shows

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Watertown’s John Baboian has played guitar with the stars of rock and jazz, and will be performing at the Watertown Summer Concert series. Wednesday’s Watertown Summer Concert features guitarist John Baboian, who has played with some of the greats in rock and jazz, and his music has been used on television soundtracks. “Although best known for his work in the jazz & swing idioms, John has performed in the Classical, Blues, Rock, R&B, Latin and World music genres,” Baoboian’s bio on his website said. The concert is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 8, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Saltonstall Park, next to Town Hall (149 Main St., Watertown).