Around Town

MLK Day in Watertown: Unity Breakfast, City Facility & Trash Schedules

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseA closeup of the section of the Kingian Nonviolence Mural featuring Martin Luther King on the back of the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. Monday, Jan. 15, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and World in Watertown will hold a remote celebration with a broadcast of their annual Unity Breakfast. The holiday also impact the hours of City Hall, the , as well as trash and recycling collection. Unity Breakfast

Dr. King’s legacy will be celebrated by World in Watertown during the annual Unity Breakfast.

Around Town

Life Science Campus at Former Cannistraro Site Approved

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A view of the life science building from Acton Street in the newly approved project on the former Cannistraro property on Pleasant Street. (Courtesy of Broder)

The Planning Board approved plans to build a life science cluster on land off of Pleasant Street, but had concerns about the proximity of the project to the residential neighborhood to the north. The hearing at Wednesday night’s meeting was the second for the project, and it lasted more than 3.5 hours. The complex will have add a four-story, 133,324 sq. ft.

Around Town

Residential Snow Shoveling Requirement Approved by Council

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Watertown residents will be required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks in front of their homes within 24 hours of the end of a storm after the City Council passed the amendment to the City’s Snow and Ice Removal Ordinance. Under the new rules, residents face a fine for repeatedly not clearing sidewalks, but those will not be levied during the current winter. The vote Tuesday night was 6-3, and came after more than two hours combined public input and discussion by Councilors. Residents against the proposal brought up concerns about how the new rules would be enforced, potential liability, and even whether people should be required to remove snow and ice from sidewalks, which are owned by the City. They added that most people do shovel their sidewalks, so they don’t see the need for new regulations.

Government

Watertown Health Department Moving to New Location

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As part of a plan to reorganize Watertown’s municipal departments, the Health Department will be moving out of City Hall. The Health Department will be one of the departments moving south of the Charles River to the Parker Annex building, formerly the Parker School. The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

The Watertown Health Department is moving on February 1, 2024 to the Parker Annex at 124 Watertown Street, 3G, Watertown, MA 02472. They will still have the same phone number of 617-972-6446, all of the same contact information, and the same webpage. See the google map and get directions.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Woman Vandalizes Car, Multiple Shopliftings

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Dec. 27, 7 p.m.: An Edith Avenue resident lost a wallet and an unknown person attempted to use the person’s credit card at multiple locations in the Boston area. One was a $2,548 purchase at the Apple Store; and three at Walgreen’s for $327, $400, and $300. All were unsuccessful, and Wells Fargo notified the resident about the attempted charges.

Government

This Week: Council Considering Snow Shoveling Requirement, Project at Former Cannistraro Site

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A rendering of the proposed life science project at former Cannistraro property on Pleasant Street, Rosedale Road, and Acton Street. (Courtesy of Broder)

The City Council will be considering a requirement for residents to shovel sidewalks on Tuesday night, and Wednesday the Planning Board will hear the proposal for a biotech campus on Pleasant Street. The City Council’s agenda includes the amendment to the Snow and Ice Removal Ordinance that would require sidewalks in front of residential properties to be cleared within 24 hours of the end of a storm. The first violation would get a written warning, the second faces at $50 fine and third and later in one winter would get a $100 fine. There are exceptions for people “who are unable to meet the physical requirements of this section, particularly for low-income, elderly, or disabled residents, or for other unusual circumstances.”

The Council meets on Tuesday, Jan.