Government

Charles River Path, Parking Lot Closing Briefly for Installation of Pedestrian Bridge

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The long awaited installation of the Joseph Thompson Pedestrian Bridge will happen at the end of May, and will require the closure of a section of the path along the Charles River in Watertown, as well as a parking lot near the Dealtry Pool. The Department of Conservation and Recreation sent out the following information about the closure of the path:
DCR Pedestrian and Traffic Advisory: Charles River Greenway/Dealtry Pool in Watertown
WHAT: On Wednesday, May 30, 2018, and Thursday, May 31, 2018, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will implement a closure of the Charles River Greenway along Pleasant Street between Bridge Street and Galen Street in the Town of Watertown, and the parking lot at the Dealtry Memorial Pool. The closure will accommodate the delivery and placement of the new Joseph Thompson Pedestrian Bridge. Work will be conducted from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pedestrians and bicyclists are encouraged to utilize California Street, and traffic delays are anticipated. A detour route and traffic signage will be clearly marked, a police detail will be on site, and DCR Rangers will assist pedestrians and bicyclists.

Business

Town Council Votes Down Prohibiting Self Storage in Watertown

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The Town Council split on whether to prohibit self storage facilities from operating in Watertown on Tuesday, ultimately noting not to ban the use. 

The proposed amendment to the town’s Zoning Ordinance came about after the Town Council approved a change to the parking requirements for self storage facilities in January. Some Councilors and residents opposed the parking change — which reduced the parking requirement to one spot for every three storage units to two spots per every 10,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area — in part because the amendment came from the owners of the property at 80 Elm St., a potential spot for self storage. The question of banning self-storage as a use in Watertown went to the Planning Board in April.

Government

See How Much Watertown’s Water, Sewer Rates Will be Going Up

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Watertown residents will see a slight rise in water rates in the next Fiscal Year, and sewer rates will rise even more. The average of the combined water/sewer rate increase is 2.5 percent. Tuesday night, the Town Council heard the proposed rates for water and sewer service in Watertown from Dave Fox, a consultant from Raftelis. The water and sewer accounts are self funding, and the most of the basis for the rates comes from the forecast use of water and sewer in Fiscal 2019 (which begins July 1, 2018). “It is based on the number of accounts and consumption,” Fox said.

School Buses

Watertown Schools Looking at 3 Busing Options, One Could Raise Fees $100

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Depending on which school busing option the School Committee adopts, transportation fees could remain the same as this year or increase by as much as $100, and not all students wanting to be transported is guaranteed a spot. The decision will be made with the help of college students participating in a “hack-a-thon.” The School Committee received an update on planning for busing during the 2018-19 school year on Monday night. Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Mary DeLai said the district will enter a five year bus contract if the Town Council gives its approval Tuesday night, but the schedule will change from the current year because the high school and middle school are starting later next fall. Three options will be considered, DeLai said, with different numbers of buses and possibly requiring students to wait after school for the bus to arrive after school.

Police/Fire

Police Want to Make Immigrants Feel Welcome, Cut Down on Drugs in Town

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Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn hopes to make the town welcoming to most people, including immigrants, but he wants officers to put more emphasis on enforcing traffic infractions as part of an effort to cut down on the amount of drugs in the area. 

Lawn spoke about the Police Department’s priorities during the budget hearing in front of the Town Council on Saturday. Since he became Police Chief two years ago Lawn has put an emphasis on community policing. “I want officers to get out of their car and get into stores and on the street and speak with people,” Lawn said. The Police Department has a number of programs where residents can meet police  in and participate in fun activities, such as the Cops & Rec sports activities for youngsters, the twice-monthly Coffee with the Chief at the Senior Center, and the Citizens Police Academy (which will be back this fall). Lawn wants to start offering a similar academy for youth, a program that the WPD used to offer and which Lawn himself attended.

Around Town

Registration Open for Cops & Rec Basketball, Hockey and Rock Climbing

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Children can get to know members of the Watertown Police Department and have some fun during the Cops & Rec programs.

There are three programs which are filled on a first come, first served basis. Register for the programs online by clicking here, or in person at the Recreation Office in Town Hall, 149 Main St., Watertown. Cops & Rec Basketball League

The Watertown Recreation and Police Department are collaborating to offer a summer basketball league. The general objectives of the program are to promote sportsmanship and teamwork in a fun and positive setting, while focusing on basketball fundamentals. There will be a girls league and a boys league.

Real Estate

See the Five Homes That Sold in Watertown This Week

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These five Watertown properties sold this week. $885,000 – 90-92 Burnham St., 2 unit, 12 total room, 4 total bedroom, 2 Family multi-family home

$450,000 – 35 Pierce Rd Unit 35, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, Townhouse condo

$525,000 – 94 Marshall Street Unit 94, 6 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo

Sponsored by:

$620,000 – 96 Franklin St. Unit 96, 8 room, 5 bedroom, 3 full bathroom, Townhouse condo

$1,000,000 – 52-54 Beacon Park, 2 unit, 13 total room, 5 total bedroom, 2 Family multi-family home

Arrest

Police Log: Overnight Break In at Sprint Store, Man Can’t Escape Shoplifting Charge

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
May 9, 1:18 a.m.: A man flagged down a police officer patrolling on Main Street near Town Hall. He did not have a particular problem, he just wanted to speak with the officer. While talking with the man, the officer discovered the man had a warrant for his arrest. The 35-year-old Lakeville man was arrested on the warrant from Hingham District Court for violating the terms of probation.