Airplane Noise

Noise from Airplanes Increasing Over Watertown, There is Hope on the Horizon

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If it seems like the noise from airplanes flying over Watertown has increased over the past few years, you are not just hearing things. However, a regional group is working on dispersing the noise so Watertown and other communities do not take the brunt. Last week, State Sen. Will Brownsberger and State Rep. Jonathan Hecht hosted an information night on the impact of noise from planes going to and from Logan Airport. The presenters gave some hope that the problem, which is a national one, could dissipate in coming years. The problem began in 2013 when the R-NAV (aRea NAVagation) system was introduced at Logan to guide planes more precisely to the airport, said Watertown Senior Planner Andrea Adams. The routes before R-NAV, Adams said, were more like a bowling ball going down a lane.

Real Estate

Check Out This Weekend’s Watertown Open Houses

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Here are this week’s open houses in Watertown. $828,888 – 97 Edenfield Ave. Unit 97, 7 room, 3 bed, 4.5 bath townhouse, Open House: Sunday 11:30-1

$759,000 – 30 Pequossette St., 2 unit, 10 total room, 4 total bedroom 2 family, Open House: Sunday 12-2

$759,000 – 30 Pequossette St., 10 room, 4 bed, 3 bath cottage, Open House: Sunday 12-2

$539,900 – 57 Green St. Unit 57, 4 room, 2 bed, 1.5 bath townhouse, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$589,900 – 478-480 Main St. Unit 478, 9 room, 4 bed, 2 bath townhouse, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12-2

Sponsored by:

$775,000 – 11 Capitol St., 8 room, 4 bed, 2 bath colonial, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12-2

$589,900 – 478 Main St., 9 room, 4 bed, 2 bath colonial, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12-2

$869,000 – 54 Merrill Road, 8 room, 3 bed, 2.5 bath colonial, Open Houses: Saturday 12:30-2:30 Sunday 11:30-1:30

$359,000 – 31 Aldrich Road Unit 2, 4 room, 2 bed, 1 bath low-rise, Open House: Saturday 11:30-1

$649,900 – 14 Maplewood St.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Warn Residents to Lock Cars After String of Break-Ins

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As a reminder that the days that people could leave their cars unlocked in Watertown are gone, the Police Department sent out a reminder to residents to make sure to lock their vehicles. On Thursday, the Watertown Police Department released the following statement:

Last evening [Wednesday], during the overnight hours, six vehicles were reported to have been broken into in the area of Piermont St. / Bennett Rd. If anyone has any information please call 617-972-6500. We would like to remind our residents to please remove valuables and lock your car doors, even if they are parked in your driveway!

Government

Watertown Shuttle Could Start Running in Fall, or May Wait Until Spring

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Watertown’s first shuttle will likely run down Pleasant Street to Watertown Square and could start as soon as this fall, but may have to wait until the nice weather arrives in 2018. On Wednesday night, members of the Town Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Transportation were eager to find out when they could see Watertown’s first shuttle. The Watertown Transportation Management Association (TMA) will run the shuttle, and if all goes right the first shuttles could start rolling this fall, said Allison Simmons, a consultant from Ease Consult hired by the Town to form the TMA. However, it may have to wait until spring. To get the shuttle started this fall, Simmons said, the Watertown TMA board would have to approve the shuttle pilot at its August meeting and get members to agree to fund it soon after.

Entertainment

A Concert, Corn Roasts and More at Gore Place in August

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Gore Place is full of activities in August from concerts to corn roast to moonlight tours events. Gore Place sent out the following information:

CORN ROAST AT GORE PLACE

On three consecutive Fridays in August (August 11, 18, and 25), 5-7pm

You can enjoy delicious roasted corn and baked potatoes, freshly picked from local farms, and drink herb-infused lemonade in front of the farmer’s cottage at Gore Place. Along with your corn or baked potato, you can choose from a variety of toppings. This is a great way to enjoy local produce on an historic farm! PROGRAMS & TOURS

Moonlight Tours

Fridays, August 11 and 25 @ 7:30pm
$15, $10 members and ages 5-12.

Environment

Teen Tree Stewards Care for Town’s Trees, Learn About More Than Just Nature

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Half a dozen young nature enthusiasts have taken to the streets of Watertown this summer with a mission of caring for the town’s street trees and spreading the word about the importance of urban trees. 

The six teens are part in the Watertown Teen Tree Stewardship Program, which is sponsored by Trees for Watertown, a citizens group committed to protecting and promoting trees in town. Each day, the group has an activity. Sometimes it is looking around town for street trees that are in need of help, other times it is learning about trees and nature, and sometimes they are promoting their program, said David Meshoulam, founder and coordinator of the program. As Meshoulam drives the group around town, the former Newton North High School science teacher points out a “beautiful beech” or a tree that has not been properly planted. The teens have been keeping track of trees around town.

Election 2017

Councilor Dushku Struggled With Decision Not to Run for Reelection

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Having successfully run for Town Council twice, and getting the most votes in the At-Large race both times, Aaron Dushku will not to run for a third time – but the decision was not an easy one. 

With children growing up and parents growing older, Dushku said that felt he should to spend time with his family rather than on the Council. “My kids and this time with them – and my father has some problems – I would never get these years back,” Dushku said. “It was a really hard decision. I really like being a Town Councilor. I love being a Town Councilor.”

Election 2017

6 Running for Council, But Second Incumbent Out; School Comm Race Draws 6

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Half a dozen people will run for both Town Council and for School Committee, but a second incumbent Councilor has decided not to run for reelection. There will also be a race for Board of Library Trustees, but several will not have contested races including Town Council President and the two-year School Committee seat. The Town Council At Large race will have six candidates for the four seats, but there will be at least two new faces on the board after Aaron Dushku decided not to run for a third term. Earlier, Susan Falkoff announced she would not seek another term. On Monday, challenger David Stokes got his papers certified and Michelle Cokonougher turned in her papers and Flynn said he is confident she will have the 100 signatures of Watertown residents necessary get on the ballot.