Around Town

Developer Defends Watertown After Globe Article Poo Poos Town as Biotech Destination

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An illustration of the biotech tower planned for Arsenal Yards. It appeared as part of an ad taken out by Boylston Properties defending Watertown as a biotech destination after a Boston Globe article that said Kendall Square is the place to be. The owners of Arsenal Yards leapt to the defense of Watertown after a Boston Globe published an article about biotech bigwigs snubbing the town as a place to set up business. The Jan. 26 Boston Globe article interviewed biotech execs and investors who said that Cambridge’s Kendall Square remains the place to be.

Real Estate

Several Open Houses in Watertown to Visit This Week

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Several properties are hosting open houses this week in Watertown. $625,000 – 37 Hunt St., Single Family – Detached Colonial, 1,711 Living Area Sq. Ft., 6 Room, 3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$599,000 – 71 Carroll Unit 71, Condo – Townhouse, 1,184 Living Area Sq. Ft., 6 Room, 3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$810,000 – 49-51 Keenan St. Unit 51, Condo – Townhouse, 1,550 Living Area Sq.

Boston Development Group

Zoning Changes Wanted to Create Galen St. Project, Councilor Wants More Community Input

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The proposal for properties on Galen Street if requested zoning changes go through. Owners of properties along Galen Street and Water Street seek zoning changes so they can build a biotech complex with a park, but the District Councilor said she wants the public to be able to weigh in before the change goes through. Tuesday night, Boston Development Group came forward requesting the zoning change. The developers have purchased a number of properties east of Galen Street, and while more than 80 percent of the land is in the Industrial 2 (I-2) zone, about 17 percent is zoned as Limited business. They have requested that all the parcels be zoned I-2.

Around Town

February at the Senior Center Includes a Valentine’s Breakfast, Tax Help and Exercise Classes

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Watertown Senior Center

The Watertown Senior Center has a variety of exercise classes, a Valentine’s Breakfast and Speed Dating this month, and much more. See details below in the Senior News, provided by the Watertown Senior Center. Greetings from the Director

Greetings! Although winter may seem cold and dreary, there is warmth and fun happening at the Watertown Senior Center and we encourage you to join us! Friday’s Chair Volleyball Team has been meeting for a few months now and invites new players each week.

Business

Watertown’s First Marijuana Dispensary Gets Approval from ZBA

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Watertown’s first recreational marijuana dispensary received approval from the Zoning Board, but Town officials will be keeping an eye on lines and traffic at the facility in East Watertown. 

On Jan. 22, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved the special permit requested by Natural Selections to make changes to prepare for adult-use marijuana sales. 

When sales will begin at the dispensary in a building at the rear of the 23 Elm St. is not certain. Chief Operating Officer Aidan O’Donovan said medical marijuana sales will begin when the state’s Cannabis Control Commission gives approval. The group hopes to be on the CCC’s agenda in February.

Schools

Three High School Principal Finalists Coming to Watertown This Week

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The three finalists to fill the Watertown High School principal position will be visiting the school this week, and the public can meet them and attend the interviews. The three finalists are Jennifer Hamilton, a dean at Cambridge Rindge & Latin; Joel Giacobozzi, assistant headmaster at Boston Latin, and Matthew Poska, principal of Beverly Middle School, said Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston. Longer bios of each candidate can be seen below. The finalists were chosen from 16 candidates that were interviewed by the WHS Principal Screening Committee last week, Galdston said. The 17-member committee was led by Assistant Superintendent Theresa McGuinness and included parents, teachers, two School Committee members and a pair of students.

Business

Network at the Watertown Business Coalition’s Coffee Connect

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The recently formed Watertown Business Coalition invites those interested in connecting to the local business community to its Coffee Connect. Learn more about the newly formed Watertown Business Coalition, network with local professionals, and enjoy some free coffee and snacks. The Watertown Business Coalition invites the following groups to the Coffee Connect:

• All in the Watertown Business Community • Watertown Residents who own a business in or out of town • Entrepreneurs seeking Networking Opportunities • Former Members of Watertown-Belmont Chamber of Commerce • Those looking to connect with business owners in Watertown

The Coffee Connect will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 8 a.m.–9 a.m. at the New Repertory Theatre Administrative Offices, 400 Talcott Ave., Building 131, 3rd Floor, Watertown, MA 02472

Register to let us know you are coming by clicking here

Around Town

Assisted Technology Lab Opens at Carroll Center for the Blind

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The new device lab at the Carroll Center for the Blind features popular devices ranging from Apple’s iPad Air to iRobot’s Roomba Robot Vacuum. Through a partnership with the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, The Carroll Center for the Blind in Newton recently launched an assistive technology device lab to help individuals with vision loss to better understand and learn how to effectively use various devices that have the power to help them retain their independence. The open-concept device lab offers access to a wide spectrum of over 18 different popular devices for use by all of the Center’s program participants. Most smartphones and other devices now come with several built-in accessibility options. Plus, there are a wide assortment of other mainstream and specialized applications available to download which support independence for people with low vision or blindness. Both free and paid mobile applications like Aira or Microsoft’s Seeing AI provide the ability to narrate the world through your smartphone camera—reading out street signs, printed text, and identifying objects and people.