Government

This Week’s Meetings: In-Person Learning, Charter Review & WHS Project

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This week’s meetings include a discussion of reopening of the Watertown Schools to in-person learning, the Town’s Charter Review, and an update on designs for the new Watertown High School. School Committee

The School Committee meets Monday, March 1 at 7 p.m., and the agenda includes an update on the reopening and an update on student learning time. A group of Lowell PTO members have written a letter asking the Watertown schools to open to all in-person learning (see the letter by clicking here). Also, the School Committee will hear a presentation about social and emotional learning and health during COVID-19. Reports include a look at the draft 2021-22 school calendar.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities

Rumors of Sale of Watertown Mall to Life Science Developer

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The Watertown Mall — home to Target, the RMV and Best Buy — could soon be sold to a developer looking to create life science lab space, according to a Boston Globe article. The potential deal involved a sale by owners Rosen Associates Management Corp. to Alexandria Real Estate Equities, which also owns the Arsenal on the Charles and the former Mount Auburn Club. The sales price of the 18-acre-site on Arsenal Street is reportedly $125 million, according to the Globe. The property lies in the Regional Mixed Use District (RMUD) zone in East Watertown, which allows for taller buildings (up to five stories) and more dense development (75 percent building coverage) than most areas of town.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Fraudulent GrubHub Order, Catalytic Converter Stolen

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

None. Incidents

Feb 15, 1:39 p.m.: A Watertown man reported that someone tried to cash a check in his name. The check was for $498, and the person attempted to cash it in Connecticut. He was notified by his bank about the attempt, and said the check was not from his checkbook.

Real Estate

Three Watertown Properties Sold This Week

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See the trio of Watertown homes that were sold this week. $420,000 – 9 Pierce Road Unit 9, Condo – Townhouse, 1,024 Living Area Sq. Ft. (Includes Finished Basement), 6 Room, 2 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom

$630,000 – 39 Olney St., Single Family – Detached Ranch, 1,526 Living Area Sq. Ft.

Development

Zoning Board Approves Plans to Turn Former Tufts Building Into Biotech Space

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Plans to turn the former Tufts Health Plan building into biotech lab and office space was approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Zoning Board of Appeals approved the project that will renovate and add on to the former Tufts Health Care building on Mt. Auburn Street on Wednesday night. The new owners, Spear Street Capital, wants to turn the area into life science office and lab space. Plans include renovating the interior of the main building, adding a small building on the back and renovating on the property near Grove Street.

Real Estate

Several Open Houses in Watertown This Weekend

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A variety of homes can be seen during this weekend’s open houses. $659,900 – 256 Sycamore St. Unit 256, Condo – 2/3 Family, 1,601 Living Area Sq. Ft. (Includes Finished Basement), 7 Room, 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 11-1 Sunday 12-2

$699,900 – 31 Wilmot St., Single Family – Detached Ranch, 1,919 Living Area Sq.

Schools

Watertown’s Elementary School Projects to Finish Months Ahead of Schedule

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Recent photos of the construction at Hosmer (left) and Cunniff elementary schools. The construction of the new Cunniff and Hosmer elementary schools will be completed several months ahead of schedule. Students at Cunniff are projected to move into their new school three months early. At Hosmer, children and staff will return seven months early, with the entire project scheduled to be completed a year early, said Vivian Varbedian from owner’s project manager firm Hill International. The School Building Committee received the news last week, and it was shared with the Town Council on Tuesday night.

Government

Watertown Receives $80K in State Tech Grants to Improve Town’s System, Cybersecurity

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Watertown Town Hall

The Town of Watertown received two technology grants from for a total of $80,000 as part of the state’s Community Compact program. Watertown Chief Information Officer Chris McClure applied for the grants to help Town departments transitioning to a new computer software system, Office 365, as well as to help protect the Town’s computer networks. The application went in on Feb. 10, and two days later he received a letter from Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito congratulating Watertown on receiving the grants. “We applied for two Focus Areas.