Around Town

Congresswoman Clark Condemns Attacks on Armenians by Azerbaijan

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Flag of Artsakh

Recent attacks on ethnic Armenians by Azerbaijan were called “reprehensible” by Congresswoman Katherine Clark, whose district includes Watertown. The fighting began Sunday in the area known as Artsakh (formerly Nagorno-Karabakh), an area of mostly ethnic Armenians. The area was placed within the borders of Azerbaijan when it was part of the Soviet Union, but is governed by ethnic Armenians as the Republic of Artsakh. Tensions have been ongoing for three decades and there was a six-year military conflict from 1988-94, according to the Wall Street Journal. Clark called out Azerbaijan for violating the ceasefire and called for suspending military aid to Azerbaijan.

Around Town

Farmers Market Organizers Pleased with Turnout, Look to Extend Access to Fresh Produce

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With the pandemic shutdown in full force, the organizers of the Watertown Farmers Market had to consider whether they should host the weekly market in 2020 and, if so, how they could do it safely and whether people would come out. As the season nears its end, organizers are pleased with how the market turned out. Stephanie Venizelos, the Town’s Community Wellness Program Manager and Farmers Market Manager, said the market at Saltonstall Park got a good crowd every Wednesday over the summer and into the fall. “No one knew what to anticipate. We’ve been bringing in 500-700 people a week.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Pulls Knife During Road Rage Incident, 2 Mopeds Stolen

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

Sept. 16, 1:56 p.m.: A shoplifter was detained at Home Depot after being seen trying to take items without paying for them. Store security saw the man place numerous hand tools in a tool box he grabbed at the store. After he filled the tool box, he attempted to exit the store but was stopped.

Real Estate

Five Watertown Homes Were Sold This Week

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See the property that sold in Watertown this week. $1,850,000 – 22-24 Carver Road, Multi-family Home – 2 Family,4,870 Living Area Sq. Ft. (Includes Finished Basement), 2 Units, 16 Total Rooms, 8 Total Bedrooms

$535,000 – 5 Bromfield St. Unit 2, Condo – 2/3 Family, 1,143 Living Area Sq.

Around Town

Watertown Group Hosting Discussion on Charter Review Process

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The Charles River from Watertown Square

A newly formed group will host a discussion on the once-a-decade review of Watertown’s Town Charter — the document that lays out how the town’s government works. Watertown Forward will host a virtual discussion on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 3-4:15 p.m. The meeting kicks off the group’s effort, which is intended to inform and bring a voice to residents about the Charter Review process. Attendees can learn more about the group and how to get involved. Town officials review the Charter every 10 years, and the 2020 Charter Review process will begin this fall.

Cunniff School

Dirt Removal Caused Messy Streets, Increased Cost for School Projects

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A view of the design for the new Cunniff Elementary School. The old building has been demolished, and the first parts of the steel for the new school has been delivered. Dirt from excavation getting on the street has been an issue at both Cunniff and Hosmer, in East Watertown. Hundreds of truckloads of soil have been removed from the building sites of the new Hosmer and Cunniff elementary schools, which has caused a bit of a mess on nearby streets and added to the cost of the project. Last week, the School Building Committee received a report on the progress of the projects, and also approved a change order that added nearly $450,000 to the project (but was still within the total project budget).

Government

Town Conducting Fire Hydrants Leak Detection Survey, Hydrants Still in Service

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The Watertown Department of Public Works will be examining the fire hydrants in town for leaks, and while the hydrants will have a “out of service” covering on them, the hydrants will still be operational in an emergency. The leak detection survey will begin on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, and will be conducted by the DPW and contractor Liston Utility Services. The work is expected to take about three weeks. To do the survey, microphones will be placed on the fire hydrants to listen for leaks, said Town Engineer Matthew Shuman.