Business

Watertown Insurance Agency Hopes for Record Toys for Tots Haul

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During this holiday season, the joy of giving and receiving gifts is what drives the cheer and community of Watertown, but not everyone is so fortunate. That is why Toys for Tots was created, which has been able to distribute over 469 million toys to children thanks to the help of kindhearted people all over the country. Every year, H & K Insurance Agency, Inc., in Watertown, has participated in a local Toys for Tots drive. Last year was its best toy-raising year to date, almost doubling the previous year’s donation, and with help from the community H & K hopes to increase it yet again, H & K announced. That is where the local community comes in.

Business

Lexus of Watertown Sponsors Fundraising Campaign to Fight Breast Cancer

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Throughout the month of October, Komen Massahusetts partnered with Lexus of Watertown to encourage local gentlemen to step up and become a champion for the cause. The Susan G. Komen Massachusetts inaugural Pink Tie Guys reception was held this month at the Algonquin Club of Boston, Lexus of Watertown announced. Pink Tie Guys demonstrate their commitment by raising a minimum of $1,008 for Komen Massachusetts, representing the 1 in 8 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. As a proud sponsor of the Pink Tie Guys campaign, Lexus of Watertown made a $25 donation to Komen MA for each test drive done at their dealership, and also matched any donation made on-site or online. Over 30 local Pink Tie Guys, including Vincent Liuzzi, General Manager of Lexus of Watertown, was recognized at the reception and presented an exclusive Susan G. Komen pink tie to symbolize their commitment and support.

Arsenal Project

Impact on River by Arsenal Mall Rebuild, Height of Buildings Worry Residents

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The Planning Board gave their OK to changes to zoning in the area of the Arsenal Project and Watertown Mall which could lead to a major project with commercial, residential and/or office elements including taller buildings. The issue is now in the hands of the Town Council. Residents at last week’s Planning Board meeting about the Regional Mixed Use District (RMUD) brought up several concerns about how a new complex at the Arsenal Mall site could impact the town and the nearby Charles River, and said the taller buildings would be too big for Watertown. The RMUD impacts a much larger area than just the Arsenal Project. It also includes the area on the other side of Arsenal Street where the Watertown Mall and Target are located, most of Elm Street and about half of Coolidge Avenue.

Real Estate

Real Estate Report: Homes Selling in Watertown, but Listings are Down

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Lucky 8′s! With eight new listings, eight listings with accepted offers and 8 sold listings all last week – it seems as though that was the number of the week. However, compared to last month around this time, we are way down in terms of new listings coming onto the market, according to The Madden Team’s Watertown Real Estate Market Report. Last month at this time, we had 19 new listings, so we have cut our new inventory by nearly 50 percent. The good news, especially for sellers, is that the number of properties that accepted offers has remained relatively consistent (nine last month vs.

Real Estate

It’s Fall and the Houses Keep Selling – Six Sold in Watertown This Week

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Here are the four homes that sold in Watertown this week. $759,000 – 255 Boylston St. 2 unit, 12 total room, 6 total bedroom, 2 Family – 2 Units Up/Down multi-family home

$425,000 – 47 Copeland St. 5 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, Bungalow single-family home

$480,500 – 146 Palfrey St., 8 room, 4 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, Cape single-family home

$305,000 – 227 Coolidge Ave. Unit 209, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, Low-Rise condo/townhouse

Sponsored by:

$810,000 – 29-31 Morse St.

Real Estate

Open Houses Available Around Watertown This Weekend

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More than a dozen open houses will be held around Watertown this weekend:

$249,900 – 183 Mount Auburn St. Unit 22, 4 room, 2 bed, 1 bath low-rise, Open House: Sunday 12-2 p.m.

$575,000- 263 Boylston St., 2 unit, 11 total room, 4 total bedroom, Open Houses: Saturday 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday 1:30-3 p.m.

$625,000 – 259 Boylston St., 2 unit, 11 total room, 4 total bedroom, Open Houses: Saturday 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday 1:30-3 p.m.

$995,000 – 24-26 Morse St., 2 unit, 14 total room, 7 total bedroom 2 family, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 p.m. Sunday 12-2 p.m.

$575,000 – 24-26 Morse St Unit 2, 8 room, 4 bed, 1.5 bath 2/3 family, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 p.m. Sunday 12-2 p.m.:

$495,000 – 24-26 Morse St. Unit 1, 6 room, 3 bed, 1.5 bath townhouse, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 p.m. Sunday 12-2 p.m.

$450,000 – 104 Summer St. Unit D, 7 room, 2 bed, 2 bath townhouse, Open Houses: Saturday 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

$739,900 – 130 Edenfield Ave. Unit 130, 7 room, 3 bed, 3.5 bath townhouse, Open House: Saturday 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday 1:30-3 p.m.

$399,000 – 98 Franklin St.

Development

LETTER: Resident Supports Residential Design Standards

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To the Editor:

Mr DiMascio’s letter that posits Residential Design Standards as a property rights issue and a function of big, bad government is a Red Herring. What is a Red Herring? It is a distraction, a false lead. I’d guess that the rest of us are happy that drivers, doctors, and restaurants are licensed; that zoning won’t allow a drive-through eatery on a row of two family houses; that dogs have to get rabies shots; that day care centers are inspected. It’s a trade-off when we choose to live in community, on streets with neighbors, and share civic space with others.

Arsenal on the Charles

Branch Line Restaurant Brings Together Best of Watertown Food Scene

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As a child growing up in Watertown, Andrew Holden saw the Arsenal complex as a forbidding place behind a big fence. Now, he has helped open up a new restaurant, Branch Line, which he hopes to bring many people to the Arsenal on the Charles to enjoy some food and drink – some of it from sources right in town. Holden, the owner of Branch Line, has worked with the owner of the restaurant at Eastern Standard in Kenmore Square. It offers the style of food found in places like Italy, France and Greece, featuring dished prepared on a rotisserie as well as in a wood-fired grill. To begin with, the rotisserie will be used to make chicken, but the menu will evolve over time, Holden said.