Government

Watertown Looks Around at Other Towns for Ideas to Improve Transportation

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Local efforts to improve transportation when Watertown officials have little influence on the MBTA can be tough, but they looked at what some neighbors are doing for inspiration. Transportation directors from Newton and Waltham, as well as a consultant who works on transportation plans, came to a forum on June 16, organized by the Watertown Pubic Transportation Task Force, the Town Council an the Department of Community Development and Planning. Both Waltham and Newton have completed extensive transportation planning efforts and are close to making recommendations a reality. Watertown will be embarking on such a transportation planning effort soon. Ralph DiNisco, principal of transportation planners Nelson Nygaard, gave some advice to Watertown. “Plan for things you want, not the things you are afraid of,” DiNisco said.

Police/Fire

Watertown Gun Buyback Collects 50 Guns, Plus Ammunition

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The first ever Watertown gun buyback brought in many weapons – including an assault rifle – along with some ammunition on Saturday. 

Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn was pleased with the event, which took place at First Parish Church, in conjunction with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police. “It went very well,” Lawn said. “We collected 50  guns and a bunch of ammunition. One of the guns was a AR-15 assault rifle.” The AR-15 is similar to the one used in the nightclub shooting in Orlando.

Entertainment

See the Lineup for the 2016 Watertown Summer Concert Series

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It’s almost time for the Watertown Summer Concert Series, so grab your blankets and dancing shoes. All concerts are free and will be held at Saltonstall Park (next to Town Hall). As in the past, the first concert is for the kids. Some favorites will return and there are some new additions. 2016 Summer Concert Schedule

June 30 – Ethan Rossiter and The Jamnberries (a children’s concert sponsored by the Watertown Family Network)

July 14 – Sonny and Her Joy Boys

July 21 – The Peter Cicco Project

July 28 – The Tom Nutile Big Band

Aug.

Real Estate

Million Dollar Townhouse Among Homes That Sold in Watertown

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See all the homes that sold this week, including a $1 million townhouse. $1,040,000 – 16 Hudson St. Unit 16, 9 room, 4 bedroom, 3 full & 1 half bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

$450,500 – 89 Templeton Parkway Unit 1, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse

$500,000 – 110 Coolidge Hill Road Unit 6, 6 room, 3 bedroom, 3 full & 1 half bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

$590,000 – 44 Bradshaw St., 7 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, Cape single-family home

Sponsored by:

$599,000 – 50 Watertown St. Unit 202, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, Mid-Rise condo/townhouse

$500,000 – 50 Watertown St. Unit 214, 4 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, Mid-Rise condo/townhouse

$340,000 – 31 Aldrich Road Unit 1, 4 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, condo/townhouse

$537,000 – 56 Olcott St., 7 room, 3 bedroom, 1 full & 1 half bathroom, Colonial single-family home

$551,000 – 16 Fuller Road Unit 16, 7 room, 3 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse

Arrests

Police Log: Man Caught Breaking into Liquor Store, Car Stolen Off Street

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
June 7, 1:45 a.m.: A man broke a glass door at Arsenal Wine and Spirits and went inside and stole two pints of Smirnoff vodka. A witness saw the man break in and come out. Police were able to locate a suspect who matching the witness’ description. The man had fresh cuts on his hands.

Around Town

Abandoned Trolley Tracks Discovered Under Arsenal Street

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A construction crew doing work along Arsenal Street found something surprising under the roadway – abandoned trolley tracks from days gone by. Watertown News reader Rachel Jacobs photographed the rails as she drove along Arsenal Street on Thursday. The rails had been paved over and were left from a defunct trolley line that linked Watertown Square with Central Square in Cambridge, and went over Western Avenue in Brighton. The rails will likely be removed. The trolley line pre-dated the MBTA, according to Town Councilor and transportation buff Vincent Piccirilli after a meeting that – appropriately – discussed the future of transportation in Watertown Thurday night.

Girls Lacrosse

Watertown High School Athletes Honored by School Committee

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Watertown High School athletes completed a very successful year, and more than a dozen seniors completed a busy high school career. 

Watertown’s teams claimed one state championship (field hockey), two North Section titles (field hockey and girls basketball) and three Middlesex League titles (field hockey, girls basketball and girls lacrosse), said Watertown Athletic Director Michael Lahiff. He added that the football and boys hockey teams made it to the section finals, and football team beat Belmont on Thanksgiving Day, plus the track team has a relay competing at the Outdoor Nationals. Girls Lacrosse Has a Banner Year
The girls lacrosse team received plaques from the School Committee on Tuesday for their league championship. They also showed off the banner that will go up in the WHS Gym. This is the team’s fourth straight league title it its six year history.

Government

UPDATE: Parts of Municipal Lot in Watertown Square to Close for Construction

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UPDATED at 12:15 p.m.: The start of the construction on the municipal lot behind CVS has been delayed, according to the Department of Public Works. Follow Watertown News for more updates on the project. Some of the municipal parking lot behind CVS in Watertown Square will be closed while it undergoes construction. The Watertown Department of Public Works announced that portions of the municipal lot will be closed for construction of stormwater management and drainage improvements. It was slated to start on June 20, but the start has been delayed.