Government

Town Meetings: Waverley Avenue Renovations, Planning Board Hears Cases & Zoning Changes

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Watertown’s Town Hall. On Tuesday, the Town Council will hear about proposed designs for Waverley Avenue and will consider a resolution on declaring a climate emergency. Also during the week of March 8-12, the Planning Board will hear three cases, including a move by the Town’s first marijuana dispensary and changes to the Arsenal on the Charles. Town Council

On the Town Council agenda is a vote on a resolution “Endorsing the Declaration of a Climate Emergency.” See the resolution here.

Real Estate

A Two-Family and 2 Condos in Watertown Sold This Week

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See the three properties that were sold this week. $520,000 – 69 Galen St. Unit 3, Condo – Mid-Rise, 1,031 Living Area Sq. Ft.,6 Room, 2 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathroom

$975,000 – 235-237 Common St., Multi-family Home – 2 Family – 2 Units Up/Down, 2,550 Living Area Sq. Ft., 2 Units, 12 Total Rooms, 6 Total Bedrooms

$551,000 – 181 Lexington St.

Letters

LETTER: Group of Parents Calls for Reopening Schools When Safe for Student & Staff

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The following letter was signed by 60 residents, and is being sent to the Superintendent of Schools and the School Committee:

Dear Dr. Galdston,

Before addressing anything else, we want to thank you for your stewardship of Watertown Public Schools during the pandemic over the past 12 months. As we approach the anniversary of our community’s move to remote learning, we recognize your work, leadership and sacrifices,and are cognizant that the personal tolls of our circumstances not only affect our families, but yours as well. In addition, we recognize the tremendous pressure you are under to immediately, and fully reopen our schools. While we empathize with the hardships of our fellow families and community members, we unequivocally cannot support this plan. Though a vocal group of ourpeers are demanding a full return to in-person learning, there are just as many families who want to keep their children remote or hybrid for the remainder of the school year due to safety concerns.

Schools

New High School Design Fits on Current Site; Would Cost Less & be Finished Sooner

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A rendering of what the new Watertown High School could look like. The view is from Common Street. Architects unveiled a new concept for the new Watertown High School that would keep the school in one building located on its current site. It would also be cheaper and would have a shorter construction period. The new plans would include building a temporary campus, likely next to Watertown Middle School.

Business

Town Taking Application for Additional Outdoor Seating at Restaurants

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Deluxe Town Diner was one of several Watertown restaurants approved to have outdoor seating in 2020. Restaurants can apply again in 2021. Diners may have more outdoor dining opportunities in 2021 as the Town of Watertown is allowing restaurants to apply for additional outdoor space for temporary seating. Last year, the Town allowed some restaurants to have seating on the sidewalk in front of their business, or other places on their property, and 15 did so. The temporary permits were given to allow for increased capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Around Town

Half a Dozen Open Houses in Watertown This Weekend

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See this week’s open houses across Watertown. $465,000 – 164 Galen St. Unit 15, Condo – Mid-Rise, 950 Living Area Sq. Ft., 4 Room, 2 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$559,000 – 131 Coolidge Ave. Unit 323, Condo – High-Rise, 1,290 Living Area Sq.

Government

Charter Review Proposal: Work on Current Government Now, Do Deeper Dive in a Few Years

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Watertown Town Hall

The Charter Review Committee was given something to think about at the end of Tuesday’s meeting: a proposal to look at changes to the current form of government this year, but hold the next review a few years down the road to allow for an in-depth look at whether Watertown should make major changes to its government. The question was posed by Michael Ward, one of the Town’s consultants from the Collins Center at UMass Boston. He also put out the idea of removing the Town Council from the next Charter Review Committee. Town Council President Mark Sideris, who chairs the Charter Review Committee, said there would be no discussion of the proposal on Tuesday, but wanted the Committee members to have time to think about the proposal so they could discuss it at the next meeting on March 16. In the proposal, Ward suggested that the next Charter Review be held in four years (or possibly three or five) rather than waiting another 10 years.