Tufts Health Plan Drive Brings in Gifts for Hundreds of Children

Employees of Tufts Health Plan donated nearly 300 gifts to give out to those in need. 

Each year, the names, ages and requests of children and adults in need are strung on Wish Trees at Tufts Health Plan, giving employees the chance to grant those holiday wishes. This year, the nearly 300 gifts donated by employees were given to clients of three local service organizations: the Cambridge Salvation Army, the Malden Salvation Army and Fernald Center of Waltham, according to the Tufts announcement. In addition, the estimated value of the gift contributions was matched with a cash donation by the Tufts Health Plan Foundation.

Several Homes Sold in Watertown This Week

See which homes sold in Watertown and the sales price. $649,900 – 11-13 Lyons Ct., 2 unit, 10 total room, 4 total bedroom, 2 Family – 2 Units Up/Down multi-family home

$490,500 – 115 Holt Street, 7 room, 3 bedroom, 1 full & 1 half bathroom, Colonial single-family home

$410,000 – 106 Franklin Unit B, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse

$386,500 – 106 Franklin Street Unit A, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, condo/townhouse

$325,000 – 64 Grant Ave Unit 64, 6 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

$420,000 – 125 Coolidge Ave Unit 804, 3 room, 1 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, Mid-Rise condo/townhouse

LETTER: Watertown Gridiron Club Thanks Business Supporters

To the Watertown Business Community:

The Watertown Football Gridiron Club, coaches, and players would like to thank you for your generosity and support during this football season! Many of our local businesses paid for an ad in our Program Book—we thank you and hope you had an opportunity to see your ad displayed. Others donated items, food for our players’ lunches, or for our snack shack on game nights: Boston House of Pizza, The Chateau Restaurant, Donohue’s Bar & Grill, Gerry’s Italian Kitchen, Friendly’s Restaurant, Home Depot, McDonald’s, Supercuts, The Talk Restaurant, Tri-City Restaurant, and” W” House of Pizza. Your generosity was truly appreciated. The Watertown Raiders had a great 9-2 season this year and part of that success is due to the support you and the Watertown community has given them.

Planning Board’s Vote a Blow to East Watertown CVS Proposal

The East Watertown CVS proposal did not pass muster with the Planning Board, but the Coolidge Square project is not dead. Wednesday night, the Planning Board heard from developers about changes made to the proposed 13,300-square-foot pharmacy at the corner of Mt. Auburn and Arlington streets. Architect Kevin Patten of BKA Architects showed drawings of the new facade which included a scaled down front entrance that would not protrude as much above the roofline, and the glass split up by glazing so they do not look like such large panes of glass. Another alteration was the addition of more landscaping and a wall that curves to “blur the line” between what is CVS and what is the public sidewalk, Patten said.

Memorial Service for Quinn Centola, 64, Watertown Native

Quinn “Querino” Philip Centola, 64, passed away after a very courageous battle on Nov. 7, 2014. He was the devoted husband of Carmen (Gardea) Centola – who was present when he passed – loving father of Trina Lee Centola, dear brother to Peter R. Centola and his wife Karen of Watertown. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, brother in law of Anthony, Ronald, James Gardea and Mary Dalby of Santa Ana who were also present and supportive during his illness. He was the son of the late Philip and Anna Centola.

Hockey Season Starts Soon – See When Watertown Plays

The Watertown High School boys’ and girls’ hockey teams hit the ice soon. See when you can catch the Raiders. Both teams had runs in the MIAA state tournament last year, and look to return. The teams play their home games at John Ryan Arena, 1 Paramount Place, off of Pleasant Street. The girls share a team with Belmont, and will play some of their games at Belmont High School.

Town Council Rejects Watertown Firefighters Contract

Despite pleas from firefighters to end the long standing contract dispute and an award decided by a neutral arbitrator the Town Council rejected the Watertown Firefighters contract on Tuesday. Members of Local 1347 have worked for more than five years without a contract. When negotiations failed, the town and the union went to mediation and finally they took the process to a state arbitrator. The arbitrator’s award came out in October, and called for $2.74 million in back pay for raises, longevity payment and for EMT qualifications. The firefighters had plenty of backing from the Watertown Fire Department – which filled the room at Town Hall, along with labor leaders from the local, state and national level.