Environment

LETTER: What Watertown Needs to Know About Stormwater

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As Watertown reviews and finalizes the Comprehensive Plan, the Stormwater Advisory Committee would like to draw your attention to stormwater management in our community. The Charles River is recognized as a key asset to our community life, and the Plan recommends restoring other water assets, such as Sawins and Williams Ponds. For the Charles and the ponds, polluted stormwater is a major, ongoing cause of contamination. Stormwater comes from rainfall and snow melt — they sound so pure, don’t they? But in a town like Watertown, not enough stormwater soaks into the ground, which would filter and clean the water.

Food

Watertown Schools Looking for Tastier Lunch Items

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In an effort to boost sales of school lunches, Watertown’s new Director of Food Services will be introducing some new, hopefully more enticing meals for students. Guy Koppe, the new director, told the School Committee he has already started testing new dishes. “We have done taste testing with students where they can sample the new items and fill out surveys,” Koppe said. “They can also say what they would call it if they had a chance to name it.” The dishes that are popular in the taste testing will slowly be introduced to the menu. Among the dishes Koppe will test are broccoli with garlic and parmesan, shepherd’s pie and lemon oregano chicken.

Development

LETTER: Former ZBA Member Opposes Greystone Project

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Enough is enough! I oppose:

As a resident of Irving Street for over 58 years and property owner, I am convinced that this plan will exacerbate the Irving Street/Arsenal Street corridor. Irving Street provides important access for emergency vehicles so they can quickly get to emergency situations, as it did during the “Marathon Bombers” terrorist attacks in Watertown. In the first place, the location surrounding the proposed housing of 300 units, a market, a restaurant and retail shops is already an overly dense area, and not suitable for the Greystar development project. I am convinced that the project will definitely have an adverse affect on the neighborhood.

Development

Town Hiring Consultant to Create New Design Standards, Guidelines

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The Town Council agreed to hire local architect to put together a new set of design standards and guidelines in an effort to protect residential neighborhoods from new developments. 

The town will work with David Gamble of Gamble Associates to will put together the new set of rules, Director of Community Development and Planning Steve Magoon said. The work will be done in three phases, Magoon said. During the first phase Gamble will gather information and documents about design standards and guidelines on the local, regional and national levels. He will also meet with stakeholders and reach out to others to find out issues face Watertown. In the second phase, a draft of the design standards and guidelines will be created, and Gamble will look at what changes would result and what problems might arise.

Around Town

Watertown Named One of Top Places to Live in New England

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Watertown wound up near the top of the best places to live in New England list made by Movoto.com. Coming in at third in the Top 10 Best Places in New England, the list noted Watertown’s historic and cultural amenities and low crime and unemployment rates. The food offerings at restaurants and markets in town were also pluses in the town’s favor. The criteria examined were amenities, quality of life, crime, tax rate, unemployment, commute time and weather. See the entire list by clicking here.

Government

LETTER: Resident Opposes Victory Field Phase II Project

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To the Editor:

On Thursday, September 11th the Watertown Recreation Department hosted the first of two required public meetings regarding Phase II of the Victory Field renovation project. Roughly 100+ project stakeholders attended the presentation, including our Town Manager, local elected officials, high school varsity coaches, Victory Field abutters, and residents from throughout the community. After hearing presentations from the Recreation Department and project consultants, attendees were invited to speak and ask questions to gain a better understanding of the draft proposal. A majority of attendees shared their concerns with the project team; most referencing the economic, environmental, and health impacts related to the proposed synthetic turf that would replace existing natural grass within the track. Several attendees did speak in favor of the proposal, citing the increasing demand for appropriate practice times by Watertown High School athletic teams.

During the forum, Recreation Department Director Peter Centola confirmed to me that the fundraising efforts of Phase I have concluded with only 20% (roughly $300,000 on a $1.5M target) being raised. The project, we were informed, is now being paid entirely for by monies borrowed by the town due to the fact that, according to Centola, “the fundraising goal was too ambitious”.

Real Estate

Home Sales for the Week in Watertown

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A couple of homes sold in Watertown this week. See the details here. $590,000 – 126 Winsor Avenue, 2 unit, 10 total room, 4 total bedroom, 2 Family home

$335,000 – 107 Lexington St. Unit 2, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, 2 Family condo

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Argues with Officer, Woman Steals Cellphone

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrest

Sept. 3, 5:41 p.m.: An officer pulled over a driver who ran a stop sign on Patten Street. When the officer asked for the man’s license and registration the driver became agitated, and began yelling and waving his arms. As the officer turned to go back to his cruiser the driver threatened the officer and swore at him. The man would not calm down after being asked to do so.