Watertown Has Several Open Houses This Weekend

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.

Watertown May Build Two New Elementary Schools Instead of Renovating Them

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.

WHS Girls Basketball Team Works with Youth Players, Comes into Season with New Attitude

Members of the Watertown High School girls basketball team spent their Sunday morning at a special team building event, one in which they look to improve this year’s squad and hopefully pay off in future years. 

WHS Head Coach Pat Ferdinand dubbed the event Media Day, but for the team, the focus of the clinic was working with youth basketball players who came to the event at the WHS Gym. The morning was filled with much more than shooting, dribbling and passing. The youth players, most of whom are currently at Watertown Middle School, worked with high school players on the drills and plays run by the Raiders, said junior Annabella Beck. “We get the girls here and give them a feel of what we do here,” Beck said. “It is just so great to have the chance to work with them.”

Watertown Cable’s ‘Inside Watertown’ Receives Award from Alliance for Community Media

A local talkshow produced by Watertown Cable Access won an award at the recent Alliance for Community Media Northeast Region Conference. The producers of “Inside Watertown,” Samantha Dudley and Ashley Hardy received the second place award in the Budget II General Talkshow category at the in ACM Northeast Region Conference in Schenectady, New York, in October. Watertown Cable announced the award on Wednesday. The show highlights groups and people who make a difference in Watertown. The show is co-hosted by Charlie Breitrose, editor of Watertown News, and Paul Airasian, a local business and community leader.

Filippello Park’s Grove Street Project Adding Green Area, Dog Park & Hard Courts

Planning for the renovation of the Grove Street entrance to Filippello Park began six years ago, and discussions for what to do with the section of the former Watertown Landfill date back to 1984, so Recreation Department officials are excited to that construction is nearly complete. The area used to be the location of the incinerator at the landfill. While the rest of the land was turned into Filipello Park, the property near Grove Street had largely been paved over and used for parking, basketball courts and, in the winter, the Town’s snow dump. Recently, Recreation Director Peter Centola met with Glenn Howard, project designer from CDM Smith to go over some of the last details in the project. Discussions about how to reinvigorate the area began in 2012, Centola said, and morphed over the years. The Grove Street entrance will have a large dog park, two gazebos, a hard court playing area, and additional parking.

Watertown First Community in State to Adopt Solar Requirements for Projects

Watertown became the first community in Massachusetts to require developments to have solar panels on their roofs. 

Last week, the Town Council approved changes to the town’s Zoning Ordinance that requires developments of 10,000 sq. ft and more, or 10 or more housing units, to devote at least half the roof to solar energy system. The new regulation applies to new developments and renovations requiring a site plan review. The Town Council unanimously approved the zoning amendment on Tuesday night. The amendment started as a proposal from resident Jocelyn Tager in 2016. Councilor Susan Falkoff said that Tager was persistent.

Five Homes Sold in Watertown This Week

Multiple homes sold this week in Watertown. $740,000 – 8 Thurston Road, 2 unit, 12 total room, 4 total bedroom, 2 Family – 2 Units Up/Down multi-family home

$450,000 – 120 Westminster Ave., 6 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, Bungalow single-family home

$610,000 – 53 Dexter Ave. Unit 53, 8 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

Sponsored by:

$750,000 – 6 Derby Road, 2 unit, 10 total room, 4 total bedroom, 2 Family – 2 Units Up/Down multi-family home

$690,000 – 34 Gleason St., 8 room, 3 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, single-family home