Around Town

Belmont Group Hosting Forum About Stormwater Issues

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A citizens group in Belmont will host the event “The Trouble with Municipal Stormwater in Belmont: Challenges and What Everyone Can Do to Help,” which is open to people from all communities. 

The group sent out the following announcement:

“According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Belmont’s municipal stormwater system has been in “significant violation” of the Clean Water Act for the last three years, based on bacteria levels recorded at storm-drain outfalls. Belmont is currently the only municipality in Greater Boston under such a warning.” Boston Globe, 8/14/2015

What can we all do to learn more about stormwater issues in our town, and what we can all do to help? The Belmont Citizens Forum is holding a free, public, educational forum on stormwater called Water Trouble: A Neighbor-to-Neighbor Dialogue about Storms, Floods, and Water Quality, on Thursday, Sept. 10, 7-9 p.m., at Winn Brook School, 97 Waterhouse Road in Belmont, with these goals in mind. Registration starts at 6:45 p.m.

We are joining with our Arlington and Watertown neighbors to have a conversation about stormwater and how it affects our towns.

Development

Officials Want to Discuss Ways of Protecting Watertown’s Neighborhoods

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With single family homes being torn down in Watertown and being replaced by two-family or larger developments, residents have pleaded with town officials to do something to preserve their neighborhoods. Wednesday night, the Economic Development and Planning Subcommittee discussed creating a set of design guidelines for residential neighborhoods and other steps that can be taken to stop what many residents see as unsightly and oversized projects replacing homes in town. Susan Steele, a member of the Watertown Historical Commission, said that several times residents have come to the commission’s hearings trying to save a home due to be demolished and replaced with a bigger project. “They were saying, ‘Can’t you help us?'” Steele said. “We are very limited in what we can do.”

Around Town

Watertown Community Gardens Has Plots Available for Town Residents

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If you have wanted to garden, but don’t have space or the right kind of spot, you can get a plot at one of the Watertown Community Gardens. 

The group sent out the following announcement:

Would you like to garden more but don’t have enough space?  enough sun? enough experience? Then consider joining Watertown Community Gardens. We rent garden plots at our two community gardens and can support new gardeners while you learn.

Entertainment

Drive-In Movie Showing of Grease Moving to a New Night

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Due to rain, the showing of Grease in the parking lot of the Arsenal Project has been rescheduled. You can pull in, tune in and enjoy the big screen from the comfort of your car on Tuesday, Aug. 25. The movie starts at dusk – about 8 p.m. The movie runtime is approximately 110 minutes. Activities for kids start at 6:30 p.m. with face painting, balloon sculptures and more. Popcorn & treats available.

Real Estate

Here are the Open Houses Around Watertown This Week

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There are nearly a dozen open houses planned around Watertown this weekend. $619,900 – 33 Forest St. Unit 33, 7 room, 3 bed, 2.5 bath townhouse, Open Houses: Saturday 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday 1-2:30 p.m.

$759,900 – 47 Prospect St., 9 room, 4 bed, 2 bath colonial, Open House: Sunday 12-1:30 p.m.

$264,900 – 8 Riverside St. Unit 3-4, 4 room, 1 bed, 1 bath brownstone, Open House: Sunday 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

$528,000 – 41 Olney St. – 8 room, 4 bed, 1.5 bath colonial, Open Houses: Saturday 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sponsored by:

$565,000 – 12 Thurston Road – 2 unit, 13 total room, 6 total bedroom 2 family, Open House: Sunday 1-2 p.m.

$599,900 – 65 Morse St.

Around Town

Big Bash Planned for Commander’s Mansion’s 150th Birthday!

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The Commander’s Mansion in Watertown is turning 150 years old this year and a big – and free – celebration is planned. The community event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 13 from 1-4 p.m. at the mansion, located in the Arsenal on the Charles Complex. The USS Constitution Color Guard will kick off our festivities, thanks to the Watertown Veterans’ Services Department. Enjoy some food, activities, games and Touch-A-Tank!

Development

Design Firm Wins Architectural Award for Watertown Design Guidelines

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The firm that put together the Watertown Design Guidelines was honored for its work by being named a finalist for an award from the Boston Society of Architects. This month, the BSA announced the Watertown Design Guidelines has been chosen as one of the finalists for the Campus and Urban Planning Awards category. The awards will be announced at the BSA’s Design Awards Gala on Jan. 28. David Gamble, principal of Gamble Associates, put together the design guidelines after holding a series of community forums, as well as working with town officials and the developer of a major project on Arsenal Street.

Sports

Tickets Available for the Watertown High School Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet

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Tickets can be purchased now for the Watertown High School Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet. The event will be held at the Hellenic Cultural Center on Saturday, Oct. 17. For the 1st time in its distinguished history, the HOF will induct 4 talented sisters from the same family – Bethany Rogers ’95, Jane Rogers ’98, Catherine Rogers ’00, and Mary Rogers ’03. The other two athletes to be inducted include dynamic point guard Casey Brackett, and track star Nick Goodman, both members of the class of ’03.