Business

Watertown Insurance Agency Helping Cancer Patients Through Livestrong

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The LIVESTRONG foundation at the Framingham, Mass YMCA will be opening up registrations for their next course with the help of Watertown’s H&K Insurance Agency. The opportunity to donate $1,000 is important for H&K Insurance, who wants to support local businesses who make a difference in the lives of local cancer patients. Every year the MetroWest YMCA runs a campaign to raise funds for their community programs, including LIVESTRONG. LIVESTRONG is a physical activity and well-being initiative for cancer survivors which has helped 6000 participants nationwide. The program helps cancer patients rebuild strength and regain abilities they may have lost.

Boston Marathon Bombing

Report Gives Mixed Reviews of Police During Search for Marathon Bomber

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A study of efforts to stop and capture the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects had mixed reviews of law enforcements’ use of force, and other practices of police in Watertown. The report led by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), was released this week, according to a report on Boston.com. See the full report by clicking here. The first officers on the scene, all Watertown Police officers, “practiced appropriate weapons discipline while they were engaged in the firefight with the suspects.”

Some of that followed quickly afterward from a variety of departments however, fired without identifying the suspect and a times without first aiming, the report found. In one incident that night, plain clothed State Police troopers were fired on when their SUV was misidentified as being stolen.

Business

Zoning Board Rejects Appeal of Snow Lot in East Watertown

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The owner of a lot that had truck loads of snow piled up more than 30 feet high on a lot on Elm Street lost its appeal that they violated the town’s zoning rules, will be fined and may have to pay for an environmental study. The lot had hundreds of truck loads of snow delivered in late February. Eastside Town Councilor Angeline Kounelis said she received complaints from residents and she reported the snow dump to the town, including Zoning Enforcement Officer Michael Mena. Mena sent a order to cease the dumping and remove the snow on Feb. 23. The manager of the site, Bill Dillon, appealed the ruling.

Government

Watertown’s Kaprielian as Head of Regional Federal Department

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Former Watertown State Rep. Rachel Kaprielian continues to rise higher in government, with her latest post as head of the Northeast Regional Office of the Federal Department of Health and Human Services. In her new post, Kaprielian will be based out of Boston and will oversee the HHS in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, according to a report in the Boston Business Journal. “Rachel’s work in state and local policy will surely be an asset to our Region I office,” said Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell in a release. “We look forward to Rachel joining her fellow Regional Directors as they continue their work delivering impact in communities around the country.”

Most recently, Kaprielian served as the state’s Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development under Gov. Deval Patrick, but was replaced when Charlie Baker took office. Prior to that she severed as the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

Real Estate

Here Are This Weekend’s Watertown Open Houses

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Find out where the open houses will be around Watertown this weekend. $399,000 – 8 Summer Unit 2, 3 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, 3 family, Open Houses: Saturday 11 a.m.-1 p.m Sunday 12-2 p.m.

$425,000 – 93 Spring St. Unit 27, 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom townhouse, Open Houses: Friday 5-6:30 p.m. Saturday 1-2:30 p.m.

$279,000 – Aldrich Road Unit B, 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom condo, Open Houses: Saturday 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday 1-2:30 p.m.

Sponsored by:

$499,000 – 36 Falmouth Road, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom cape, Open House: Friday 5-6:30 p.m.

$775,000 – 700-702 Belmont St., 2 unit, 12 total room, 5 total bedroom, Open House: Sunday 12-1:30 p.m.

$899,900 – 75 Summer St. Unit 75 Watertown, 3 bedroom, 3 full 2 half bathroom townhouse, Open House: Saturday 12-1:30 p.m.

Development

Planning Board Gets Look at New Rules for Developments in Watertown

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After several months work, the Planning Board got to look at the new rules that could shape how future building projects will look in Watertown. The design standards will not just determine what is built inside the box that makes up a building, said Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon, it will also impact how it influences surrounding areas and environments. The proposed design standards were presented to the Planning Board Tuesday by the consultant hired to come up with the alterations to the town’s zoning, David Gamble of Gamble Associates. “Planning works and this is what should be doing,” Gamble said. “You are ahead of the game compared to other towns not under development pressure.”
The Town Council requested the design standards after the town went through development booms on Pleasant and Arsenal streets.

Schools

Federal Grant ‘PEP’-ing Up Physical Ed Classes in Watertown

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A Federal grant has pumped more than $500,00 into physical education in Watertown’s schools, and has allowed gym class to be more than just sports and has branched outside the gym. The Watertown Public Schools is in the second year of the three-year Carol M. White Physical Education Program (or PEP) grant. The district received $391,269 the first year, another $126,034 the second year and is expected to get another $116,936 the third year, said Director of Wellness and Extended Services Donna Ruseckas. This is the second time Watertown has been awarded the PEP grant. “It’s voted on every year by Congress and only so many districts get it,” Ruseckas said.

Business

Watertown Real Estate Agency Hosting Business Networking

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The Mike DelRose Team would like to extend an open invitation to our community to join us in our office for networking and social hours every Tuesday from 4-7 p.m.

Enjoy refreshments while discussing our town, current events, and meeting new professionals in our area. We offer free parking in our lot (access off of Maple Street) as well as on-street parking. Mike DelRose Team is located at 142 Galen St., First Floor Suite, Watertown, MA 02472

To RSVP for any of the Mike DelRose Team events, let them know you will be joining via MeetUp by clicking here.