Government

Watertown Wants Residents’ Opinions on AirBNB and Other Short-Term Rentals

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Town officials have started to discuss creating rules about short-term rentals in Watertown, such as AirBNB, and have put up an online survey to get people’s opinions on the issue. 

At a meeting in February, the staff of the Community Development & Planning Department held a meeting about short-term rentals to discuss whether they should be allowed in Watertown and, if so, under what circumstances. Technically short-term rentals are not allowed under the current Watertown Zoning Ordinance, but it has been going on. By some estimates there are dozens or even hundreds of places available in Watertown on sites like AirBNB, HomeAway or VRBO. The town has rules for hotels and for renting out rooms in an owner-occupied home, but those do not fit all the types of short-term rentals. Some people rent whole condos or homes, others just a room.  The Planning Board asked the Department Community Development and Planning to come up with an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance covering short-term rentals.

Basketball

Watertown Earns Trip to State Final with Comeback Win over Burke

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BURLINGTON – Trailing for most of Wednesday’s MIAA Div. 3 State Semifinal, Watertown got contributions from a number of players to nail down the 66-61 victory over Burke and clinch a trip to Springfield for the State Final. 

After a shaky first quarter, the Raiders trailed the Bulldogs 17-12, but then senior center John Korte took control of the game. He scored nine of his 28 points in the second period, which ended with Watertown trailing by just a single point, 32-31. “I think that it was just no one was hitting shots and I took it on myself that I needed to step up and win this for my team and that’s what I try to do,” Korte said. Also hitting some key first-half baskets was senior Wenston Rodriguez.

Drama

Watertown High School Students Putting on the Musical “Pippin” This Week

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While the elements have not cooperated, Watertown High School’s production of the musical “Pippin” will go on this week as scheduled. Monday afternoon the 30 plus members of the cast fine tuned their numbers while the crew worked on the scenery and lighting at the WHS Auditorium. Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 15; Friday, March 16; and Saturday, March 17. The show is a bit of a mind bender for the actor who are putting on show within a show, said WHS junior Daniel Vanryn. “It is really cool, it is almost a show within a show.

Basketball

Watertown Plays Burke in the State Semi: Follow Live Wednesday

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BURLINGTON – The Watertown High Schools boys basketball team returns to the State Semifinals for the second straight year but this time the Raiders have their sights set on something bigger – the State Title. Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m. Watertown (18-6) tips off against Burke High School (24-2) out of Dorchester. Live Updates
Raiders win 66-61

Fulcar makes 1. 64-61 Raiders 30 secs left

Watertown up 2 with ball 38 seconds left and shooting free throws. 63-61 Watertown 142 left

Hamad 3 makes it 61-58 Watertown with 3:50 left

Raiders led by 2 briefly.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Faces OUI Charge After Hitting Pole, Car Found With No Wheels

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
Feb. 28, 12:03 p.m.: Staff at the Super 8 Motel heard someone yelling for help, and the voice was coming from one of the motel rooms. Police were called and knocked on the door but no one answered. Motel staff let officers into the room and they found a man lying on the bed. They asked if he was OK, and found he was not in danger.

Entertainment

Watertown Author to Read from Her Book Based on Her Family’s Experience as Refugees

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Award-winning local author Kathleen Spivack, who lives in Watertown, will read from her debut novel Unspeakable Things, which uses magical realism to tell the stories of refugees fleeing the Holocaust and relocating in New York City. Spivack has had many books of poetry and has published short stories, but her first novel was published in 2016. She spoke with Watertown News about her book and said that it is based on her family’s experience as refugees moving to America (read more here). The book is now available in paperback. The reading will take place 0n Sunday, March 18, 2018 – 3:00 p.m. in the Watertown Savings Bank Room at Watertown Free Public Library.

Sports

Watertown’s State Semifinal Basketball Game Postponed by Snow

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The MIAA has postponed Watertown High School’s state semifinal basketball game scheduled for Tuesday due to the snow storm. 

The Boston area could get 12 inches of snow or more. The game had been scheduled to be at the TD Garden at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. The Raiders will take on Boston’s Jeremiah Burke in the semifinal. The game has been moved to Burlington High School at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March. 14, according to WHS Athletic Director Michael Lahiff.