Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/author/cbreitro/page/440/)
An MBTA bus in Watertown. Watertown public transit riders will soon see some changes to bus routes as part of the MBTA’s Better Bus Project. Beginning Dec. 22, 2019, the 70 and 70A buses will see changes in its service to north Waltham,, and the 71 bus will have shortened routes during the morning and evening rush hours. Also, stops will be eliminated on the 52 bus, which runs out of Watertown Yard.
School Committee member Eileen Hsu-Balzer left the board after serving for nearly a quarter century. Few people have touched the lives of as many Watertown children as retiring School Committee member Hsu-Balzer. Last week, the School Committee honored her during her final meeting on the board on which she served six terms.
“Eileen is stepping down after 24 years — an amazing commitment to the Town’s Schools.,” said School Committee Chair John Portz. “You have to go back to 1896 to find anyone who served as along as Eileen has on the Watertown School Committee.” Former School Committee member Tony Paolillo served 12 years with Hsu-Balzer.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
Dec. 3, 3:46 a.m.: An officer spotted a vehicle in the municipal parking lot in Watertown Square, the owner of which was known by police to have a revoked license. Officers saw the owner come out of CVS and enter the vehicle along with a friend. The vehicle was stopped after police confirmed the driver had a revoked license.
A Town Council subcommittee narrowed down the applications for two marijuana dispensaries in town to operators seeking to open in locations in Watertown Square and on Pleasant Street. While the ballot question that legalized recreational marijuana dispensaries in Massachusetts prevents communities from banning pot from being sold, communities can limit the number of facilities. The Town Council has limited the number to three in Watertown. One dispensary has been approved to open at 23 Elm Street in the East End, and Town officials accepted applications for the other two dispensaries in town. Thursday evening, the Council’s Economic Development and Planning Committee reviewed the four applications, ultimately asked two to start the approval process: one at 48 North Beacon St.
Buttons created at the first Watertown Arts Master Plan meeting. Watertown residents can take part in a workshop where they can shape and inspire the kinds of public art program that will take place in town. The event on Jan. 9, 2020, is the second meeting hosted by the Watertown Public Arts Master Plan Advisory Committee. The workshop will take place from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., in the Watertown Savings Bank Room.
Home seekers have several options to look at this weekend in Watertown. $995,000 – 30 Church St. Unit 30, Condo – Townhouse, 2,317 Living Area Sq. Ft., 7 Room, 3 Bedroom, 2 Full & 1 Half Bathroom, Open House: Sunday 1 PM – 3 PM
$995,000 – 28 Church St. Unit 28, Condo – Townhouse, 2,305 Living Area Sq.
Four Watertown homes sold this week. $430,000 – 16 Waltham St., 7 room, 3 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, Cottage single-family home
$470,000 – 111 Pleasant St. Unit 12A, 4 Room, 2 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathroom, Mid-Rise condo
Sponsored by:
$924,550 – 64 Standish Road, 8 Room, 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathroom Single Family – Detached Colonial
$550,000 – 60 Everett Ave., 6 Room, 4 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom, single Family – Detached Cape
Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll. Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll will be getting a raise after the Town Council approved his pay hike following a recent job evaluation. Driscoll’s pay rises $9,500 to $205,000, and the increase is retroactive to the beginning of Fiscal Year 2019 (July 1, 2018). The increase is the first for the Town Manager since 2017. Salary Comparison
When determining the new salary, a review of other Watertown public employees was conducted, as well as the salaries of other communities with Town Managers, Sideris said.