Business

Watertown Belmont Chamber Hosting State of the Towns Event

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The Watertown Belmont Chamber of Commerce will host the State of the Towns event on Thursday, April 2. During the event, representatives from Watertown and Belmont will make presentations. The event will be at the Oakley Country Club, 410 Belmont Street, Watertown, on April 2 from 8-9:30 a.m.

Tickets are $35 for WBCC members, $45 for non-members. RSVP by March 25. To register and for more information contact the WBCC at 617-926-1017, info@wbcc.org or WWW.WBCC.org.

Development

Special Meeting Planned on Changes to Pleasant Street Zoning, Signage Rules

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Two major changes to the Watertown Zoning Ordinance will be discussed by the Town Council at a special meeting. The public hearing on changes to the Pleasant Street Corridor District zoning and the lighting and signage ordinance will be held on Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall, 149 Main Street, Watertown. The changes were proposed by the Town Council, have been discussed by the Planning Board and now comes back to the Council. (See details about the changes here.)

Here is the notice on the Pleasant Street Corridor District Zoning:
The proposed amendments to Section 5.16 would incorporate sub-districts within the Pleasant Street Corridor District to define two new areas where a commercial component is required in new development and another where new development would not allow residential.  The language would also modify the build-to-line, clarify the maximum façade length, and require further step-backs for buildings.  The amendments would also update the Table of Uses and Notes to the Table of Uses to reflect the new zoning.  The amendment also includes a zoning map with the new districts (PSCD-1, PSCD-2, & PSCD-3), and the boundary with adjoining T zone. Signage and Lighting Changes
The Town Council will also consider changes for signs and illumination to create a new ordinance for hotel and motel signs.

Business

Watertown Savings Banks Wants Your Pics for its Photo Contest!

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Watertown Savings Bank seeks submissions for its 14th annual photography contest.  
The Neighborhood Photo Contest invites all amateur photographers to submit up to three pictures. Photographs should depict scenes of Watertown, Waltham, Belmont, Arlington, Lexington, or Newton. Submissions may be made via the WSB website:  www.watertownsavings.com/photo
Twelve winning photographs will be selected, and will comprise the bank’s 2016 calendar, which is distributed free to thousands of WSB customers annually. The deadline for all submissions is April 19, 2015.  In addition to appearing in the 2016 calendar, all winning photographs will be exhibited throughout the WSB branch network on their lobby digital screens. 
The bank holds an annual award ceremony to recognize the winners and distribute the awards. All winners will receive an Amazon gift card. First place winner receives $500; second place $300; third place $200; and the nine honorable mentions each receive a $100 gift card. For instructions on entering the contest, please visit the WSB website:  www.watertownsavings.com/photo. For more information, please contact the Marketing Department at 617-928-2336.

Business

East Watertown Office Building Purchased, Eyed for Life Science & Tech Firms

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A building on Coolidge Avenue has been purchased by a firm that has plans to renovate it for office and research & development space. 

Edgwater Properties LLC bought the 27,000-square-foot building at 150 Coolidge Ave. in East Watertown for $4.3 million, according to a report by Banker & Tradesman. The owner said he seeks to attract the type of life science and technology firms that currently reside in Kendall Square in Cambridge and the Seaport in Boston. Edgewater Principal Mitchell Kassler has an extensive capital improvement program planned for the property, including a new glass front entry feature, a modern facade and build-to-suit office/R&D space. Edgewater has retained CBRE New England E as the property’s exclusive leasing agent.

Real Estate

A Plethora of Open Houses in Watertown This Weekend

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Take your choice of which open house to look at this weekend in Watertown, there are plenty. $399,000 – 33 Bromfield St. Unit 33, 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom townhouse, Open Houses: Saturday 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday 2-3:30 p.m.

$630,00 – 32 Bacon St., 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom colonial, Open Houses: Saturday 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

$599,000 – 612 Belmont St., 4 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom colonial, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 p.m. Sunday 12-1:30 p.m.

$349,900 – 93 Franklin St. Unit 1, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 3 family, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 p.m. Sunday 12-1:30 p.m.

Sponsored by:

$259,000 – 14 Riverside Unit G-3, 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom low-rise, Open House: Sunday 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

$254,900 – 32 Whites Ave. Unit F7701, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom mid-rise, Open House: Sunday 12-1:30 p.m.

$799,000 – 34 Woodleigh Road, 2 unit, 12 total room, 6 total bedroom 2 family, Open House:
Sunday 1-3 p.m.

$409,000 – 36 Woodleigh Road Unit 36, 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath 2 family, Open House: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

$429,000 – 69-71 Chapman St.

Business

Town Council Votes to Request More Liquor Licenses from the State

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The Town Council approved a request to the State Legislature to add more liquor licenses in an effort to attract more economic development in Watertown. Last week, the Council voted to request 15 new liquor licenses. The town has 34 licenses allotted by the state based on the town’s population, but communities can request additional licenses by submitting special legislation and have it approved by lawmakers at the State House. The members of the Rules & Ordinances, Economic Development & Planning, and Public Safety subcommittees recommended 15 new licenses, including five for designated projects or locations. One of those – the Arsenal on the Charles complex – was removed.

Business

See Which Groups Received Grants from Watertown Savings Bank

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Watertown Savings Bank recently handed out $75,000 in grants to 28 local community organizations as chosen by customers of the bank in the annual Customer Choice Awards. During the awards ceremony, a representative from each of the winning organizations had the opportunity to speak about the work they do and how they will use the funds. It is a unique event that celebrates the efforts of the hard-working people who do so much to add to the quality of life in the local communities. “Letting our customers’ votes determine how the funds are distributed creates a wonderfully diverse group of winners each year,” said vice president Carole Katz, emcee for the event. For further information about WSB’s Customer Choice awards program, contact the coordinator at (617) 928-2336.