Police/Fire

Pedestrian Struck, Killed by Tow Truck in Watertown, Driver Stabbed Multiple Times

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A woman crossing the road was struck by a tow truck and killed in the intersection of Galen and Nonantum streets, then a man known to the woman attacked the driver of the truck, who was taken to hospital with injuries. The incident in the major intersection across the Charles River from Watertown Square occurred about 11:20 a.m., according to a press release from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. The accident remains under investigation and the man who allegedly stabbed the driver was taken into custody. An investigation of the incident continues this afternoon in the intersection, and drivers are encouraged to avoid the area. The Middlesex DA’s office sent out the following press release:
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Watertown Chief of Police Michael Lawn have confirmed that an investigation is underway in Watertown today following a fatal pedestrian collision and an apparent non-fatal stabbing.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Kicks off 15th Anniversary Celebration at Faire on the Square

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For 15 years the Watertown Community Foundation has given money and organized volunteer events to help the community, and Saturday the group will hold a celebration at the Town’s biggest gathering of the year — the Faire on the Square. As in the past, the Foundation will have a booth at the Faire, but this year there will be even more activities, and prizes for lucky raffle winners, said WCF Executive Director Jan Singer. She hopes to see some familiar faces, and hopefully some new ones. “We’ve been around for 15 years and for some we are still a well kept secret. We don’t want to be,” Singer said.

Sports

Arlington-Watertown Girls Swimming Team Splits First Two Dual Meets

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Now in its second year, the Arlington-Watertown Coop girls swimming team had a successful start to the season against Woburn, and then fell short against Belmont in the second meet of the year. The team includes athletes from both Watertown and Arlington high schools. Watertown has only four swimmers on the squad, but they made some contributions. Arlington-Watertown beat Woburn 87-83 on Sept. 7 in Woburn. In the meet, sophomore Niamh Murphy was on the first place 200 medley relay which finished in 2:07.89, and she also placed third in the 100 breaststroke (1:28.79) and fourth in the 5o0 freestyle (6:57.37).

Around Town

Town Council to Consider Zoning Changes for Recreational Marijuana, Solar & More

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The Town Council will consider whether to start the process to change the Watertown Zoning Ordinance for four areas, including recreational marijuana facilities and solar requirements for new buildings. On Sept. 25, 2018, the Council will consider whether to refer amendments to four areas of the Zoning Ordinance to the Planning Board. After the Planning Board makes recommendations on an amendment it would come back to the Town Council for final approval. The Council will meet at 7:15 p.m. in Town Hall.

Development

Planning Board Approves Having Biotech Companies at Arsenal Yards

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The Planning Board gave its approval to allow biotech labs to be located on the second floor of the historic building in the former Arsenal Mall where Marshall’s is located. 

The proposal by Boylston Properties, the developer of Arsenal Yards, had been delayed a month because there were questions about whether labs where biotech research should be located in the same building where retail and restaurants will be located. There was concern that the Town of Watertown did not have the same local safeguards as other area communities. Wednesday night the Planning Board heard from the developers, who also brought in consultants who work with biotech companies and outfit buildings for such lab use. Mark Deschenes from Boylston Properties said his firm did a study of biotech companies in the area and that there are already at least 23 biotech companies in Watertown, with most in East Watertown, and a few on the Westside. He added that there are several examples of biotech companies sharing buildings with retail and other businesses, and that are located near residential buildings.

Weather

Remnants of Hurricane Florence Could Cause Flooding in and Around Watertown

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Torrential rain is expected to hit the area beginning late Monday and continuing through Tuesday night. The remnants of the hurricane that struck North Carolina is expected to drop 3 or more inches of rain. A Flash Flood Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for most of southern New England, including the Boston area. The watch is in effect from late on the evening of Sept. 17 through late on the night of Sept.

Real Estate

Watertown Had Four Home Sales This Week

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Four Watertown homes sold this week. $400,000 – 71 Jensen Road U:71, 4 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse

$701,000 – 3 Quincy Unit 3, 7 room, 3 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom, Half-Duplex condo/townhouse

Sponsored by:

$645,000 – 56 Westminster Ave., 9 room, 3 bedroom, 3 full bathroom, Colonial single-family home

$570,000 – 97 Poplar St. Unit 97, 8 room, 3 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse