Development

Town Council Splits on Zoning Change for Self Storage Facilities

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A change in the number of parking spots required for a self-storage facility in Watertown received the Town Council’s approval Tuesday night, but concerns over whether such a facility was wanted in town and where it should go led to some votes against the zoning change. The proposal called for changing the formula for determining the number of spots needed at a storage facility from one spot for every three storage units, to two spots per every 10,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area. Steve Magoon, Assistant Town Manager and Director of Community Development and Planning, said under old standard a 50,000 sq.

Donald Trump

Former Watertown Council President Wants Trump to Commit His Own Money to Building Border Wall

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Former Town Council President Clyde Younger wants to make sure that Watertown taxpayers, and all Americans, are not left on the hook for paying for a wall along the border with Mexico. He proposed a resolution requiring President Donald Trump to commit half a billion dollars of his own money toward getting the project started. Younger brought his resolution to the Town Council Tuesday night. He noted that the national debt is projected to grow by trillions of dollars over the next decade, and that there are less costly alternatives to protecting the United States’ southern border. While he proposes that the President use some of his own money, Younger’s resolution to the U.S. Congressional Budget Committee adds that the money would be matched by taxpayers money, with a condition.

Schools

Schools Seek Input on Decisions on High School Site, PreK/Preschool Programs

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As the Watertown Public Schools move full speed ahead on rebuilding or renovating the town’s schools, school officials must soon make some decisions which would impact the designs of both the elementary schools and Watertown High School. There are three key questions that must be answered in the next month, or so, in order for schematic designs of the school projects to continue, School Committee Chairman John Portz said at Monday’s School Committee meeting. A meeting has been scheduled for Monday, Jan. 29, 2018 at 7 p.m. at a site to be determined. The first question, Portz said, is whether the Lowell Elementary School site off Orchard Street should be considered as possible site for a new Watertown High School building.

Caroline Bays

LETTER: Open Letter from Town Councilor About Kneeling During Pledge of Allegiance

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Dear Watertown resident,

I wanted to say a few words to you before the town council meeting tonight. As many of you know I knelt during the Pledge of Allegiance at the inauguration. I did so because I can not say “with liberty and justice for all” while that is not true in our country. People of color throughout our nation do not experience the same rights and privileges as white Americans. From the disproportionate punishment young children experience in schools to the disproportionate arrests, convictions, and sentences adults receive in the criminal justice system, people of color live with discrimination and persecution that people who are white do not experience.

Around Town

Meeting about Watertown Fifth-Grade Trip to Sargent Camp on Wednesday

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Fifth-graders in Watertown to go Sargent Camp in New Hampshire each year and there will be an informational meeting on the trip on Wednesday, Jan. 10. The meeting is in the Community Room at the Watertown Police Station. There will be a presentation for all fifth graders and families about Sargent Camp where Larry Chambers from Nature’s Classroom will have a slide show for all interested in participating in Sargent Camp this year. See more information about the camp here: http://www.naturesclassroom.org/sargent.htm

WHEN: January 10, 2018, at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Community Room at Police Station, 552 Main St., Watertown

Business

Pair of Dentists Bringing New Life to East Watertown Dental Office

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Two dentists have purchased a practice in East Watertown and have plans to bring new life to the dental office which had been only open a couple days a week. 

Dr. M. Zakkoom and Dr. M. Kamel took over the Professional Dental Image practice on Bigelow Avenue and seek to become part of the community. The office has been run by Dr. Juan Jose Graham for many years, but he is retiring in a few months. When they saw that a dental practice was available, Zakkoom and Kamel jumped at the chance. The office has the latest technology, Zakkoom said, including a machine that makes crowns the same day that a patient comes in. “Usually the dentist takes an impression of a tooth, sends it away and wait two weeks.

Real Estate

See Which Real Estate Agents Sold the Most Watertown Homes in 2017

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In a hot housing market, housing prices continue to climb in Watertown and more than 100 homes sold this year. See which agents sold the most properties in 2017. According to the real estate sales in Watertown from the multiple listing service (MLS), the top agent for 2017 was Ari Koufos of Realty Executives, who sold 29 properties for $25.7 million. In 2016, Koufos, broker/owner of Realty Executives in Watertown, also was the top agent in town. He sold 29 properties, but the total sales was under $20 million (see more details here).

Real Estate

See the 3 Watertown Homes that Sold This Week

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These Watertown homes sold this week, see more below. $255,000 – 26 Carey Ave. Unit 5, 4 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, Mid-Rise condo/townhouse

$485,000 – 38 Waltham St Unit 38, 6 room, 3 bedroom, 1 full & 1 half bathroom, condo/townhouse

Sponsored by:

$552,000 – 10 Locust Lane Unit F, 6 room, 3 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse