Around Town

First Winter Storm Due to Hit Watertown Sunday, Parking Ban Starts

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A storm that will stretch from Sunday into Tuesday could drop as much as six inches of snow on the Watertown area, and make travel tough for people returning from Thanksgiving trips. At the same time, the winter parking ban begins in Watertown. A Winter Storm Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service from 11 a.m. on Sunday to 7 a.m. on Tuesday. Watertown is in the area forecast by WCVB Channel 5 to get 3-6 inches of snow, but areas of northern Massachusetts and New Hampshire could get more than a foot. The Cape, on the other hand, will get an inch or less.

Around Town

Record Numbers Turn Out for 2019 Donohue’s Turkey Trot

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Runners of all shapes, sizes and breeds took part in the 2019 Donohue’s Turkey Trot. Despite the rainy weather on Thanksgiving morning, the 2019 Donohue’s Turkey Trot drew a record number of runners and walkers for the annual 5K run and walk. Donohue’s owner John Donohue announced that the number of participants eclipsed the 1,000 mark, more participants than any of the previous 13 editions. Turkey Trot participants withstood rainy and chilly weather in 2019. Many runners huddled inside Donohue’s Bar & Grill before the race to escape the wet, chilly conditions.

Real Estate

See the Properties Hosting Open Houses in Watertown This Week

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A Colonial and two condos are having open houses this weekend in Watertown. $519,900 – 199 Coolidge Ave. Unit 302, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom mid-rise, Open House: Sunday 12:30-2

$899,000 – 8 Brandley Road, 14 room, 6 bedroom, 3 full & 2 half bathroom colonial, Open House: Sunday 12-2 

$636,500 – 199 Coolidge Ave. Unit 105, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom mid-rise, Open House: Sunday 1-2

Sponsored by:

Sports

Belmont Pulls Away from Watertown in Annual Thanksgiving Game

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Watertown senior quarterback Brennan Cook hurls a pass against Belmont in the Thanksgiving Day game. The Raiders fell 24-14 at Victory Field

Watertown High School’s football team had Belmont where they wanted, with the ball in the opposition half and a chance to take the lead. However, in the end, the Marauders were the ones to find the end zone in the dying moments the Thanksgiving Day game. Belmont extended its winning streak in the big rivalry game to two in a row, winning 24-14 at Victory Field on Thursday. The loss meant Watertown ended the season with a record of 5-6.

Belmont

Watertown Loses to Belmont, See How it Unfolded

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Watertown senior quarterback Brennan Cook has thrown nine touchdown strikes in 2019. Watertown High School’s football season started with promise, after a 2-0 start, but a five game losing streak meant no playoffs this year. However, the Raiders have a chance to finish the year on a winning note, and a with winning record, by beating their archrivals from Belmont on Thanksgiving. Watertown hosts the Marauders at Victory Field, and will be looking for some payback after losing last year’s Thanksgiving clash. The game begins at 10:15 a.m.

LIVE UPDATES

4th Quarter

Final: Belmont 24, Watertown 14

41 secs left.

MSTCA

Former Watertown Track Coach to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

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Former Watertown High School Cross Country Coach Tom Wittenhagen will be honored with the MSTCA Lifetime Achievement Award this spring. He retired this year after 47 years coaching and teaching in town. He is shown here with James Piccirilli, left, and Emily Koufos after the 2016 All-State Cross Country Meet. During his 47 years teaching and coaching in Watertown, Tom Wittenhagen impacted hundreds of students, and his commitment will be recognized by the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association. “Coach Witt,” who retired during the last school year, received word recently that he will receive the 2019 MSTCA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Government

See the Property Tax Rates Recommended to be Adopted by Town Council

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Watertown Town Hall

Tuesday night, the Town Council will hear the annual Tax Classification hearing presentation from Town Assessor Earl Smith, which calls for increasing the break given to owner-occupied homes and condos in Watertown. According to the Assessor’s presentation the recommended tax rate for Fiscal Year 2020 will see bills go up between $169 and $281 for owner occupied properties which receive the residential exemption, and three-family homes would actually see their bills go down. Smith’s presentation includes a recommendation to increase the residential exemption, which is given to homes which are the primary residence of the owner. “The Board of Assessors recommends increasing the residential exemption to 24 percent for FY2020. The Board’s intention, at this time, is to further recommend an increase in FY2021 to 25 percent.