Development

LETTER: Resident Calls for Resignation of ZBA After CVS Vote

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Councilors,

On January 28, a discouraging event in town governance occurred here in this chamber. Against the wishes of 400 hundred Watertown residents who signed a petition; in disregard of the testimony of approximately 40 East End neighbors; against the advice of the Planning Board; contrary to the expressed goals of the Comprehensive Plan; but in accordance with the advice and counsel of Town Planning staff, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5-0 to approve a special permit for a proposed CVS project that a preponderance of Watertown residents feel detrimental to Coolidge Square and the East End in general. This decision is one in a long history of poor development decisions in Watertown that can fairly be described as acts of municipal self-mutilation. Many residents feel that the character of Watertown is being destroyed project by project. This dysfunction must end now.

Business

Watertown Bank Wins Award for Watertown Strong Campaign

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Watertown Savings Bank won First Place in the Public Relations-Events category at the New England Financial Marketing Association (NEFMA) Awards Night. NEFMA is an independent organization consisting of over 300 marketing professionals from banks, credit unions and financial service companies throughout New England. The awards were held in January at the Crown Plaza Boston-Natick. WSB submitted their Watertown Strong campaign, which was developed in reaction to the successful capture of the Boston Marathon bombing suspect that occurred in Watertown in April 2013. WSB Vice President of Marketing Carole Katz was honored to accept the award on behalf of the Bank and its employees.

Real Estate

Here are This Week’s Open Houses in Watertown

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Find out where this weekend’s open house in Watertown. $334,500 – 38 Pierce Road Unit 38, 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom townhouse, Open House: Saturday 12-1:30 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

$425,000 – 118 Hillside Road Unit 118, 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom 2 family, Open House: Saturday 12-2 p.m., Sunday 12-2 p.m.

$799,000 – 700-702 Belmont St., 2 unit, 12 total room, 5 total bedroom, Open House: Sunday 12-1:30 p.m.

$899,900 – 75 Summer St. Unit 7, 3 bedroom, 3 full 2 half bath townhouse, Open House: Sunday 12-1:30 p.m.

Development

Meeting Planned to Discuss Renovating Verizon Building in the East End

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Boylston Properties will discuss plans to renovate and expand the Verizon building in East Watertown at a public meeting. 

The building at 480 Arsenal St., which backs up to Nichols Avenue, will be turned from a warehouse to offices. It will have a total of 185,000 square feet of office space “by carving out and adding to the existing building footprint, and inserting a floor within the existing structure,” according to the announcement sent out by Boylston Properties. Additional improvements included in the project are “connections to the Watertown Greenway, large amenity and open spaces, and a reconstructed parking field with upgraded stormwater management and infiltration systems.” The main access to the building will continue to be at the signalized intersection at Arsenal Street, according to the announcement, with a secondary access and improvements along Nichols Avenue. At the meeting on Wednesday, Feb.

Business

Watertown Eatery Featured in Boston Globe’s Cheap Eats

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Looking for some take out with an Asian flare, check out one of Watertown’s newest restaurants – Cha Yen Thai Cookery. Located about midway between the Deluxe Town Diner and Sevan Bakery, the eatery opened in Coolidge Square over the summer, and features homestyle Thai cuisine. Cha Yen Thai Cookery and chef Manita Bunnagitkarn made the Boston Globe this week in the Cheap Eats column in the paper’s food section. Bunnagitkarn moved to Boston from Thailand in her teens and attended Johnson & Wales culinary school. The restaurant features a several Thai curries, grilled options, noodle dishes and a wide variety of appetizers.

Charity

Watertown Real Estate Agency Holding Food Drive

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Century 21 Commonwealth in Watertown is holding a food drive this month to help people in town. The drive will run from Feb. 8 through Feb. 21. “We are collecting non-perishable foods, paper goods and other needed items to benefit the Food Pantries in Watertown,” said the announcement from Century 21 Commonwealth.