Liquor License Debate Gets Murkier for Town Council

Three Town Council subcommittees met last week to shore up the details of the town’s request to the State Legislature for more liquor licenses, but by the end of the meeting Councilors had not made a decision. At a previous meeting, the members of the Rules & Ordinances, Economic Development & Planning, and Public Safety subcommittees, discussed asking for 15 new licenses. Five would go to approved projects or existing locations. The other 10 would be divvied up among different areas of town. Last week, however, the group was not sure how to handle the forthcoming requests for liquor licenses from the Arsenal Project (formerly Arsenal Mall) for new restaurants.

Check Out the Latest Watertown Home Sales

These homes sold this week. See where they are and how much they sold for. $655,000 – 626 Belmont Street, 10 room, 4 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom, Colonial single-family home

$425,000 – 475 Arsenal St. Unit E, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, condo/townhouse

$454,000 – 20 Myrtle St. Unit 20, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full & 1 half bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

Sponsored by:

$430,000 – 30 Prospect Street, 5 room, 3 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, Cape single-family home

$460,000 – 18 Hudson Street, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full & 1 half bathroom, Colonial single-family home

East End Residents Create Survey on Development in the Area

Some significant developments have been proposed in East Watertown, and some area residents are interested in what people think about the projects. Developers seek to build a CVS/Pharmacy at the corner of Arlington and Mt. Auburn streets at the site of a gas station and the Elks Club (see more here). Another project has been proposed at the former GE Ionics site on Grove Street where an office building will be renovated and a multi-story garage is proposed (read more here). Both projects are on the agenda for the Nov.

Move to Raise Tobacco Sale Age to 21 Meets Resistance

The Watertown Board of Health is considering raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 in town, but some stores and their fans do not want to see the change. This week, the board held a hearing to discuss changes to Watertown’s tobacco regulations. Probably the biggest change would be to raise the age when it is legal to buy cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco and nicotine products from 19 to 21. Donna Moultrup, interim Director of Health said one of the main reasons for the change is to prevent youths from getting their hand on cigarettes. “Research has shown that young children 12 and 14 years old are getting cigarettes from people age 18-21,” Moultrup said.

Volkswagen Pulls Proposal for Used Car Center in Watertown Sq.

The proposed Volkswagen used car center in Watertown Square has been scrapped. Boston Volkswagen sent a letter to the Watertown Planning Department stating that the proposed project has been withdrawn, but did not give a reason, according to a report on Wickedlocal.com (click here to see the story). The plan had called for turning the former Sullivan Tire & Auto store on North Beacon Street into a used car center. VW has a dealership just down the street. The proposal drew criticism from residents and members of the Planning and Zoning boards alike.

Insurance Agency Seeks to Beat Record for Toys for Tots

Last year, H&K Insurance Agency of Watertown collected the most items for the Toys for Tots drive, and they seek to beat it this year. The toy drive has been able to distribute over 469 million toys to less fortunate children thanks to the help of generous people. In years past, CISR, AAI Treasurer/General Manager Paul Perry and his wife, Daralyn Perry, CISR Commercial Lines Manager, have donated generously to Toys for Tots from their own pockets. They hope others will join them this year. “Helping those in need is something that we really value here at H & K Insurance,” said Perry.

Watertown Mall Hosting Job Fair This Week

Attention job seekers, it is time to head to the mall to find a new job. On Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25, some stores at the Watertown Mall will be holding a job fair. Whether you are looking for part time, full time or seasonal work, you can find it there.