Government

Survey Collecting Input About New Bus Priority Lanes on Mt. Auburn St.

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The new red bus priority lane on Mt. Auburn Street near the Cambridge Line. Photo provided by the Watertown Department of Public Works. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Department of Public Works:

As of Nov. 15, after several weeks of calibration, City of Cambridge staff and the Mount Auburn Street Bus Priority project partners consider the implementation of the Mt Auburn Street Bus Priority Pilot to be complete.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Assaults Police Officer, More Info on Break ins, and More

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

Nov. 26, 2:18 a.m.: An officer monitoring traffic on Galen Street saw a vehicle traveling toward Watertown Square at about 47 mph in a 30 mph zone. The car didn’t stop for a few blocks after the officer tried to pull it over. The driver showed signs of impairment, including a smell of alcohol coming from his breath.

Around Town

Santa Claus Greeted by Hundreds at Watertown Square Tree Lighting

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Hundreds turned out on a cold Friday evening for the annual Watertown Square Tree Lighting Ceremony. Photo by Charlie Breitrose

Delivered on a big red fire truck, the guest of honor at Friday night’s Watertown Square Tree Lighting Ceremony was swarmed by his many fans. The annual event on the Delta in Watertown Square drew a big crowd once again. Before Santa Claus arrived, children got a chance to say hi to Frosty the Snowman, and enjoy some cookies, hot cocoa and cider. 

Town Councilor Anthony Donato, who is also a Rotary Club member, greeted everyone, and remembered longtime community leader and supporter of the event, Paul Airasian, who passed away in September. He also thanked the veterans on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day.

Bicycle Pedestrian Path

Advocates Celebrate Groundbreaking for Path Linking Watertown to Fresh Pond

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The contingent from Watertown scoops a ceremonial shovel full of dirt at the groundbreaking for the Cambridge-Watertown Greenway Phase 2. Pictured, from left, longtime advocates Janet Jameson and Deborah Peterson, Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon, State Rep. Jonathan Hecht, Town Councilor Lisa Feltner, Senior Planner Gideon Schreiber, and Senior Transportation Planner Laura Wiener. Photo by Charlie Breitrose

People from Watertown and Cambridge gathered near Fresh Pond on a chilly morning to celebrate the beginning of construction of a path many years in the making that completes an important link between the Charles River to other path networks. Wednesday’s groundbreaking for the Cambridge-Watertown Greenway Phase 2 came 35 years after a pair of Watertown residents began advocating for the path that can be used by bicyclists, walkers and runners to get from East Watertown to Fresh Pond and link up to other major bike and pedestrian paths. The project will create a 16 foot wide, landscaped path along the former railroad bed from Fresh Pond to Arlington Street in Watertown.

Around Town

Commander’s Mansion Adds Some Holiday Cheer to Watertown

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Commander’s Mansion Facilities Manager Tammy McKenna takes a photo of a family visiting Santa Claus during the Holiday Open House. Photo by Charlie Breitrose

The Commander’s Mansion was decked out for the season Thursday evening as the historic home in Watertown hosted the annual Holiday Open House. Dozens of families visited the home to view the Christmas trees, enjoy some cookies and hot cocoa, and listen to some carols. Rooms in the historic Commander’s Mansion were decorated for the holidays, including this Christmas tree. Photo by Charlie Breitrose

Santa Claus arrived at the Mansion with a special escort from the Watertown Police Department.

Real Estate

Watertown Has Several Open Houses This Weekend

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See this week’s open houses around Watertown. $799,900 – 110-112 Cypress St., 2 unit, 12 total room, 4 total bedroom, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12-2

$649,000 – 254 Sycamore St. Unit 1, 6 room, 2 bed, 2.5 bath 2/3 family, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12-2

$799,900 – 199 Coolidge Ave. Unit 302, 5 room, 2 bed, 2 bath mid-rise, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$1,049,000 – 29 Birch Road, 2 unit, 10 total room, 6 total bedroom 2 family, Open House: Sunday 12:30-1:30

Sponsored by:

$649,000 – 256 Sycamore Unit 1, 7 room, 3 bed, 2f 0h bath, 2/3 family, Open House: Sunday 12-2

$699,900 – 232 Edenfield Ave. Unit 232 Watertown, 5 room, 3 bed, 2f 1h bath townhouse, Open House: Sunday 11:30-1

$1,269,900 – 37-39 Hillcrest Cir., 2 unit, 10 total room, 5 total bedroom, Open House: Sunday 12-2

$575,000 – 37 Hillcrest Cir.

Schools

Watertown May Build Two New Elementary Schools Instead of Renovating Them

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The option of building new buildings at two Watertown’s three elementary school appears to be back on the table, after Town Council President Mark Sideris announced that they may fit within the town’s budget during Wednesday’s School Building Committee. Originally, the School Building Committee previously went in the direction of renovating the current schools and putting on additions at Hosmer and Cunniff elementary schools to save money. However, the cost estimates for doing so has risen significantly. Sideris and Town Manager Michael Driscoll discussed other options, and decided that the possibility of building new schools may be within reach, Sideris said. The decision came after hearing from parents and neighbors of the schools, many of whom worried about the loss of green space with the proposed school expansions.