Around Town

Resident Group’s Survey Finds What People Like, Want Improved in Watertown

By |

Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Dam near Watertown Square slows the flow of the Charles River. People like the community and diversity in Watertown, but would like to see improvements in the schools and affordability, according to the preliminary results of a survey being conducted by a resident group called Watertown Forward. The group started as an effort to help people understand the Town Charter and the once-a-decade Charter Review, but the group seeks to keep people engaged, said Nicole Gardner, a member of Watertown Forward. “We want to encourage them to get engaged. (Watertown Forward is) at this moment hyper-focused on charter review.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Arrest Waltham Man Who Had an Illegal Firearm, Variety of Drugs

By |

Watertown Police arrested a 25-year-old Waltham man found to have an unlicensed firearm and drugs. On the evening of April 27, a Palfrey Street resident called Police because he suspected two men had been attempting to break into his home. When Police arrived, the homeowner pointed out two men walking down Palfrey Street, away from the house, and officers were able to stop them, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. One was identified as Ernest Russo of Waltham. “While they were speaking with the two men, one of the officers observed Mr. Russo clutching something in his waistband,” O’Connor said.

Government

Watertown Community Preservation Plan Released, Committee Wants Public’s Reactions

By |

A shot of the cover of the Community Preservation Committee’s Draft Five Year Plan, released in late April. Watertown has several million dollars to spend on projects to acquire land for open space and outdoor recreation, create affordable housing and preserve the Town’s historic structures and resources. The Committee that will make recommendations on how to spend the money recently released a draft of the plan that will guide which projects will get funded. Last week, the Community Preservation Committee made the draft of a five-year plan available for the public to read (see it here). The Committee wants to know what Watertown residents think about the plan, and will host a meeting on May 20 at 7 p.m. to gather input.

Homepage Featured

Police Log: Man Scammed Out of Nearly $250K, Shoplifter Caught in Home Depot Parking Lot

By |

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

None

Incidents

April 21, 8:31 a.m.: An Oliver Street resident reported someone had opened a Sprint cell phone account in 2015 in his name, but he did not know about it until his credit was impacted in 2020. Someone got access to his personal information, including his Social Security Number, in order open the account. There was a balance of $376 on it. The account has been closed, and the resident is working with Sprint to sort out the issues.

Real Estate

A Single Family Home and Two Condos Sold in Watertown This Week

By |

See details of the three homes that sold this week in Watertown. $800,000 – 41 Prospect St., Single Family – Detached Colonial, 1,476 Living Area Sq. Ft., 7 Room, 3 Bedroom, 1 Full & 1 Half Bathroom

$526,000 – 25 Melendy Ave. Unit 3, Condo – 2/3 Family, 1,100 Living Area Sq. Ft., 4 Room, 2 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom

$312,475 – 20 Riverside St.

Council Vacancy

Council to Create Process to Appoint Person to Fill District D Vacancy

By |

Watertown Town Hall

A vacancy in the District D Council spot will be filled by someone appointed by the remaining members of the Town Council. The opening was created when West End Councilor Ken Woodland resigned in early April to take a job that would not allow him to serve on the Council. This week, the Council discussed options for how to fill, and whether or not to fill, the open seat until the November Town Election. Because the vacancy occurred during the second year of the two-year term, the Council can appoint a replacement with a vote of six of eight members. They could also vote to hold a special election (also requiring a six-vote majority), said Town Attorney Mark Reich from KP Law.

Homepage Featured

Community Foundation Offering High School Internships, Adding New Ones Focused on Philanthropy

By |

For the seventh year, the Watertown Community Foundation will help high school students from Town get internships, and in 2021 it will launch a new type of internship where interns will learn about philanthropy by serving on a board. The Community Foundation will welcome up to 18 interns this year. Most will be summer internships with local businesses and groups, and two will be the year-long internships where students will join the Foundation’s board. Watertown Community Foundation Executive Director Jan Singer said she believes the WCF will also benefit from the new program. “It’s definitely a two-way street,” Singer said.

Real Estate

Open Houses Around Watertown This Weekend

By |

Several open houses around Watertown to visit this weekend. $775,000 – 62 Lowell Ave., Single Family – Detached Bungalow, 1,309 Living Area Sq. Ft., 7 Room, 3 Bedroom, 2 Full & 1 Half Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12-2

$899,000 – 74 Walnut St., Single Family – Detached Colonial, 1,843 Living Area Sq. Ft., 11 Room, 4 Bedroom, 1 Full & 2 Half Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12-2

$469,000 – 290 Pleasant St. Unit 201, Condo – Mid-Rise, 778 Living Area Sq.