Arrests

Police Log: Drunk Driver Crashes Into Car, Man Busted for Lighting Trash Barrels on Fire

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

March 22, 12:05 a.m.: Police received reports of three fires in concrete trash barrels, two in Watertown and one in Newton. One of those in Watertown occurred on Watertown Street on March 21 at about 6 p.m. and another on Galen Street on March 22, just past midnight. Police got access to a surveillance video of the area around one of the barrels and were able to identify a suspect. The video showed him walking on Galen Street and as he passed a barrel he lit a book or box of matches and dropped it into the barrel.

Real Estate

A Pair of Watertown Homes Sold This Week

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Check out the two homes that sold this week in Watertown. $1,499,000 – 87 Summer St. Unit 87A, Condo – Townhouse, 3,045 Living Area Sq. Ft., 13 Room, 3 Bedroom, 3 Full & 1 Half Bathroom

$363,000 – 121 Warren St. Unit 4, Condo – Low-Rise, 600 Living Area Sq.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Believe Three Vehicle Thefts Linked to Town are Related

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Three stolen vehicle incidents in Watertown appear to be linked to each other, according to Watertown Police. One of the vehicles was reported stolen from Watertown, and two vehicles reported stolen from other communities were found in Town, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. The first incident was reported on March 23 at 2:03 p.m. The owner of a 2007 Chevy pickup reported the vehicle stolen. It was parked at a Dexter Avenue business at noon and when the owner came back an hour later, it was missing, O’Connor said. At about 3:50 p.m., the van was found in Newton.

Real Estate

Several Open Houses in Watertown to Visit This Week

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See the homes having open houses over the weekend in Watertown. $930,000 – 105 Holt St., Single Family – Detached Colonial, 1,990 Living Area Sq. Ft., 7 Room, 3 Bedroom, 3 Full & 1 Half Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 12-3 Sunday 1-2:30

$975,000 – 134 Cypress St., Multi-family Home – 2 Family – 2 Units Side by Side, 4,400 Living Area Sq. Ft., 2 Units, 18 Total Rooms, 6 Total Bedrooms, Open House: Saturday 12-3

$699,900 – 53 Duff St., Single Family – Detached Cape, 1,650 Living Area Sq. Ft., 6 Room, 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathroom, Open House: Saturday 12-1:30

$539,900 – 131 Coolidge Ave.

Government

Town Council Weighing How to Handle Airbnb & Other Short-Term Rentals

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Watertown appears to be headed toward allowing short-term rentals in town, such as Airbnb and Vrbo, but will create a set of regulations to require them to be registered with the Town and limit the occupants. The Town Council’s Rules & Ordinances Committee voted on March 29 to move a proposed change to the Zoning Ordinance to the Town Council. The amendment would have to be reviewed by the Planning Board which would make a recommendation to the Town Council, which has the final decision. The Committee also discussed regulations for short-term rentals, which are defined as a rental for fewer than 31 days. Currently, short-term rentals are not allowed as part of Watertown’s Zoning Board’s list of uses, but Councilor Anthony Donato said that hasn’t stopped people from operating them.

Government

Noise Ordinance Voted Down by Council, Request Made for New Effort

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Watertown Town Hall

The Town Council voted down the proposed Noise Ordinance with those opposed saying they thought the proposal was too complicated and difficult to enforce, but the issue will likely be taken up by the Council again. The Council held a special meeting Tuesday night to discuss the proposal and to hear from residents. Some residents gave examples of noises that they said impact their quality of life, including noise from amplified music at parks, loud activities at churches not having to do with religious services, and leaf blowers and other landscaping equipment. Others talked about activities on construction sites starting before 7 a.m. when it is allowed. People who opposed the ordinance worried about their ability to do yard work if they cannot finish by 5 p.m., the end of the allowable period.

Business

Zoning Board Approves Marijuana Dispensary’s New Home; Questions Parking at Proposed Biotech Building

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An illustration of the renovation of the former Monro Muffler at 390 Arsenal St. into the new home of Ethos Cannabis. The Zoning Board of Appeals approved the new location for Watertown’s first marijuana dispensary, and also that meeting a decision on a proposed project on Elm Street was not settled because of questions about whether it has enough parking for the biotech labs it would house. Natural Selections, which operates Ethos Cannabis, needs to find a new home because the current site — 23 Elm St. — has been sold and would be replaced by the biotech building that also came in front of the Zoning Board on March 26.

Around Town

Slight Increase in Watertown COVID Cases, Free Testing, Vaccine Info

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The number of COVID-19 cases in Watertown increased for the first time since January. The Town’s cases over the previous 14 days was 73 according to the Mass. Department of Public Health report of March 25, which is 14 higher than the previous week. The last time Watertown had more cases than the previous week was in the Jan. 21 report, when there were 295 cases (the highest number of cases in one week for Watertown).