Government

Plastic Bag Ban, Commercial Snow Shoveling Rules Remain Up in the Air

By |

The Town Council’s Rules & Ordinances subcommittee discussed a possible plastic bag ban and reviewed the rules for the commercial snow shoveling rules, but did not make a recommendation on either issue. At the meeting on March 3, the possibility of creating an ordinance to ban plastic bags being used at some or all stores in town was discussed, but questions remain, said subcommittee chairman and Town Councilor Ken Woodland. “The committee decided to seek additional language changes in the potential plastic bag ordinance so are in the process of consulting with the Town Attorney to finalize changes for discussion at the next meeting,” Woodland said. The evening’s discussion of the town’s snow shoveling ordinance was tabled, however, when the meeting was ended early because of (that’s right) snow! Another subcommittee, the Committee on Public Works, will discuss the possibility of having a residential snow shoveling requirement.

Business

East Watertown Office Building Purchased, Eyed for Life Science & Tech Firms

By |

A building on Coolidge Avenue has been purchased by a firm that has plans to renovate it for office and research & development space. 

Edgwater Properties LLC bought the 27,000-square-foot building at 150 Coolidge Ave. in East Watertown for $4.3 million, according to a report by Banker & Tradesman. The owner said he seeks to attract the type of life science and technology firms that currently reside in Kendall Square in Cambridge and the Seaport in Boston. Edgewater Principal Mitchell Kassler has an extensive capital improvement program planned for the property, including a new glass front entry feature, a modern facade and build-to-suit office/R&D space. Edgewater has retained CBRE New England E as the property’s exclusive leasing agent.

Real Estate

A Plethora of Open Houses in Watertown This Weekend

By |

Take your choice of which open house to look at this weekend in Watertown, there are plenty. $399,000 – 33 Bromfield St. Unit 33, 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom townhouse, Open Houses: Saturday 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday 2-3:30 p.m.

$630,00 – 32 Bacon St., 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom colonial, Open Houses: Saturday 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

$599,000 – 612 Belmont St., 4 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom colonial, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 p.m. Sunday 12-1:30 p.m.

$349,900 – 93 Franklin St. Unit 1, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 3 family, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 p.m. Sunday 12-1:30 p.m.

Sponsored by:

$259,000 – 14 Riverside Unit G-3, 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom low-rise, Open House: Sunday 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

$254,900 – 32 Whites Ave. Unit F7701, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom mid-rise, Open House: Sunday 12-1:30 p.m.

$799,000 – 34 Woodleigh Road, 2 unit, 12 total room, 6 total bedroom 2 family, Open House:
Sunday 1-3 p.m.

$409,000 – 36 Woodleigh Road Unit 36, 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath 2 family, Open House: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

$429,000 – 69-71 Chapman St.

Government

First Sign of Spring – Watertown’s Emergency Parking Ban is Over!

By |

The emergency parking ban in Watertown is over! Town officials announced the on-street parking ban ended at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, according to an email sent out by Town Councilor Cecilia Lenk. The ban was put in place after the record snows fell on – and stayed – on Watertown’s streets and sidewalks. “Spring is coming!” Lenk added in her note.

Schools

Watertown High School Students Get a Lesson in Self Defense

By |

With a swift upward thrust of their knees accompanied by a loud “No!” a group of girls at Watertown High School practiced how to fight off an attacker. 

On a recent Friday, a group of more than 30 female students spent several hours learning a variety ways to fend off someone who threatened them. The self-defense class was taught by IMPACT Boston, and paid for with funds the Watertown Public Schools received through the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant. The opportunity to learn about self defense was offered to the girls in the senior class, said PE teacher Tina Taylor, and when some spots remained juniors were invited to participate. “The hope is we get money to fund this in the future and we can teach all the students self-defense before they leave (WHS),” Taylor said.

Entertainment

BeBop Guitars Performing During Jazz @ The Arsenal

By |

JAZZ @ The Arsenal returns on Tuesday, March 24, with the fan-favorite, Be-Bop Guitars, presented by the Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown. Led by John Baboian, the Be-Bop Guitars features 5 guitarists from the renowned Berklee guitar faculty, plus vibes, bass, drums and trumpet for this concert of originals and standards (Gershwin, Jobim and others), with specialized arrangements for 5 guitars. Baboian has performed worldwide with his band and other musicians, including a performance with the Be-Bop Guitars at the Cape Town Jazz Festival in South Africa and has shared the stage with Frankie Avalon, Sergio Franchi, Al Martino, Ben Vereen and many more. Baboian is the director of the JAZZ at the Arsenal series. Tickets are $20; $18 for members; $15 for students, plus fees.  For tickets or more information, call the box office at 617-923-8487 or visit www.arsenalarts.org

The Jazz @ The Arsenal series features a wide variety of jazz styles performed by the best jazz ensembles in the Boston area with many headed up by Berklee’s world- renowned faculty.  The performances are held in the intimate Black Box Theater at the Arsenal Center for the Arts located at 321 Arsenal St.

Sports

America’s Best Climbers Coming to Watertown for National Championships

By |

The 2015 SCS Open National Championships will take place at Central Rock Gym Watertown March 27-28. This competition features the best adult climbers in the United States competing in disciplines of Lead and Speed climbing for a spot on the U.S. Climbing Team and a share of the $20,000 prize purse. This is the largest and most prestigious climbing competition in the U.S., featuring the nation’s 100+ top climbers and drawing over 1,000 spectators to the two day event, according to an announcement for the event. Central Rock Gym Watertown, with over 28,000 sq. ft.

Business

Town Council Votes to Request More Liquor Licenses from the State

By |

The Town Council approved a request to the State Legislature to add more liquor licenses in an effort to attract more economic development in Watertown. Last week, the Council voted to request 15 new liquor licenses. The town has 34 licenses allotted by the state based on the town’s population, but communities can request additional licenses by submitting special legislation and have it approved by lawmakers at the State House. The members of the Rules & Ordinances, Economic Development & Planning, and Public Safety subcommittees recommended 15 new licenses, including five for designated projects or locations. One of those – the Arsenal on the Charles complex – was removed.