Government

Watertown Real Estate Prices Likely to Rise Again Next Year

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Last year, most areas of Watertown saw an increase in real estate values, Town Assessor Francis Golden told the Town Council, and the trend will likely continue. During his property tax presentation, Golden said 75 percent of neighborhoods appreciated last year. This resulted in an increase of property taxes of about 3.25 percent, he said (click here to read more details). Some of the additional value came from the new apartment complexes being built on the west side of Watertown, but a lot comes from appreciation of existing properties. Golden said Watertown has become a very attractive place to live.

Schools

Watertown Before, After School Program Fees Rising Jan. 1

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Monday night, the School Committee voted to raise fees for the district’s Before School and After School programs so they can qualify for state reimbursements. Starting Jan. 1, 2015, the rates for the Watertown Community Education Before and After School Out-of-School-Time Programs will rise. “We have to raise some of our rates to get the maximum voucher from the state,” said School Committee member John Portz. Programs that receive state reimbursement must charge a rate equal to or greater than the state subsidized rate for the same service, Portz said.

Government

Council Puts Firefighters’ Contract on Hold

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After years of negotiations, mediation and finally arbitration the Firefighters appeared to have a contract ready to be voted on by the Town Council, but the board instead decided to postpone the vote. The arbitration agreement would have ended nearly six years the Firefighters Local 1347 have been without a contract, and would provide 2.5 percent increases in Fiscal 2012 and 2013, along with other other increases. In total the town would have to pay $2.74 million in back pay and other incentives as a result of the arbitration. Town Manager Michael Driscoll proposed using $2 million from the Fiscal 2015 Town Council Reserve and the $739,759 from Fiscal 2015 Town Health Insurance Fund. The biggest increases come from:

$992,000 in base pay for the past three years
$955,000 for EMT certification – a 3 percent increase beginning in 2009
$244,500 for overtime for the past five years
$220,000 for longevity payments
$144,800 for holiday pay

Fire Union President Rob Mannix said that the firefighters gave up items in the agreement too.

Government

East Watertown Dog Park Gets Preliminary Approval

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A dog park in East Watertown took a step closer to becoming a reality when the Town Council voted to the include the facility in the new entrance to Filippello Park. The Public Works subcommittee considered three locations, including one at Arsenal Park and one on land owned by the Arsenal Project. They decided to go with the location near Grove Street in Filippello Park (see more details here). East End Councilor Angeline Kounelis said she has some concerns about the location of the dog park in the park. “The Grove Street area of the park is isolated,” Kounelis said.

Police/Fire

Car Drives Into Watertown Starbucks

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A driver drove into the Starbuck’s on Mt. Auburn St. Causing some damage on Sunday morning. According to WVCB TV there were two minor injuries but no one was taken to hospital. A building inspector has been called to look at the building.

Government

Town Council Approves Improvements at Church Street Intersection

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The intersection of Church and Palfrey streets will get a new look after the Town Council approved improvements to the intersection which has had more than its share of accidents and near misses. Tuesday, the Council voted to implement the recommendations of World Tech – the town’s traffic engineering consultants – and do it “as soon as possible.” One change will be a raised traffic table, like the ones installed recently near Watertown Middle School on Waverley Avenue. Recommendations include:

Construct a raised intersection with textured pavement
Relocate crosswalks closer to the intersection
Install “Raised Intersection Ahead” warning signs
Conduct limited tree trimming

Residents living near the intersection, about five blocks off Main Street, came to the Public Works subcommittee earlier this year to ask about changes to the intersection because it has become so dangerous. (Click here to see more).

Real Estate

Check Out the Latest Watertown Home Sales

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Home sales continue to be healthy in Watertown even in late November. $308,000 – 85 Bradford Road Unit 85, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse

$237,500 – 2 Winthrop Street Unit 3, 4 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, Low-Rise condo/townhouse

$490,000 – 194 School Unit 194, 8 room, 3 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse

$361,000 – 22 Homer St Unit 1, 4 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse