Development

School Budget to be Presented, 2 Projects at Planning Board & Police Exam

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An illustration of the plans for the former Mount Auburn Club at 99 Coolidge Ave. A community meeting will be held Monday about the project. One of the first steps in the making of the Watertown school budget will be presented Monday night, a community meeting will be held about the redevelopment of the Mount Auburn Club site, and the Planning Board will discuss two major projects. Watertown Public Schools administrators will present the Fiscal Year 2022 level services budget at Monday’s School Committee meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. That budget shows how much it would cost to preserve the district’s current staffing and programs, with no additions or cuts. It is typically the first major step in the school budget process.

Police/Fire

Police Log: String of Car Break-ins, Employee Theft at Target

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

None

Incidents

Jan. 25, 1:28 p.m.: Target conducted an investigation on an employee suspected of stealing products from the store. Target security found that an employee working in the online order fulfillment department was selecting additional items not on the order list and placing them into a carriage. He put the items in separate bags, and at the end of his shift he would take the bags and leave the store.

Government

See What’s in the Charter Review Committee’s Poll

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The Charter Review Committee wants to hear from the public, and has posted an online poll about several issues that have come up during the group’s meetings. Questions include whether the length of Town Councilor terms should be extended, should the Town add a public information officer position, and should the town start a 311 service for a “one-stop” number that residents can call with their questions and concerns. Also, should the Town Council’s compensation be reviewed, should the Town Manager and Council President be required to hold at least two meetings a year where residents can come to get their issues addressed, and should the Town Council be able to hire an analyst to help Councilors with their work. The final question is: “Do you think a mayor-city council would be more responsive than our current government of Town Council and Strong Town Manager?” See the poll by clicking here.

Charter Review Committee

Charter Review Committee Debates Vision for Town, Ways to Improve Government

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Watertown Town Hall

This week’s Charter Review Committee meeting covered a range of topics, from a vision for Watertown to how the charter could be changed to make the government more accountable and responsive to the public, and even the debate of keeping the Town Manger type of government or changing to a mayor. At times the discussion became heated, both between committee members and even members of the public participating in the virtual meeting. The biggest question before the group of 15 (nine Town Councilors and six members of the public) will be taken up directly in upcoming meetings. Town Council President Mark Sideris said the merits of mayor and strong manager forms of government will be on the agenda of the next meeting, and future ones. Tuesday’s agenda called for reviewing the panel discussions with at the two previous meetings with elected officials from other cities and towns.

Real Estate

Several Open Houses Around Watertown This Week

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Homebuyers have a variety of properties to visit in Watertown over the weekend. $899,000 – 9 Maplewood St., Multi-family Home – 2 Family – 2 Units Up/Down, 2,463 Living Area Sq. Ft., 2 Units, 10 Total Rooms, 4 Total Bedrooms, Open House: Sunday 11-12

$424,900 – 55 Pierce Road Unit 55, Condo – Townhouse, 874 Living Area Sq. Ft., 5 Room, 2 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom, Open House: Friday 4:30-6 Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$429,000 – 88 Pierce Road Unit 88, Condo – Townhouse, 874 Living Area Sq. Ft., 5 Room, 2 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$1,499,000 – 87 Summer St.

Schools

State Officials Have Questions About High School Project, May Delay Final Vote

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A conceptual design of the preferred option for the New Watertown High School, looking down Common Street toward Mt. Auburn Street. The date of the public vote on funding for the Watertown High School project may have to be pushed back after state officials had questions about the size and design of the proposed new school. After reviewing the preferred design of the new WHS, the Facilities Assessment Subcommittee of the Mass. School Building Authority sent back comments, and request for more investigation into other options after their meeting on Jan.

Around Town

Watertown CVS Will be COVID Vaccine Site, By Appointment Only

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CVS announced that starting next week 15 locations in Massachusetts will offer COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment to eligible people, including in Watertown. Which of Watertown’s three CVS locations, if not all, will have the vaccine is not clear. The report by Fox 25 Boston just mentions Watertown in the list of the sites to offer the vaccine. The doses will be shipped by the Federal Government directly to the pharmacies. Last week, the Mass.