Business

Watertown Savings Bank Donates to Homeless Veterans

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Watertown Savings Bank (WSB) made a $5,000 donation to the New England Center for Homeless Veterans (NECHV). The bank presented the check at WSB’s annual Club 50 holiday party, on behalf of the more than 3,500 Club 50 members, according to the bank’s announcement. NECHV President and CEO Andrew McCawley was on hand to accept the donation. “Veterans are an incredibly important asset to this country, our society and to business; they bring a wealth of leadership, selflessness and commitment to mission to everything they undertake,” McCawley stated. “Your generous giving is essential to our providing the best and most effective aid to those who have served this country.”

The NECHV is dedicated to ending homelessness for our Nation’s Veterans.

Development

Town Looking to Buy Small Piece of Land in Watertown

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The Town Council approved purchasing a small piece of former railroad property near Arsenal Street that could be key to nearby new developments. 

The Council approved spending $35,000 for the 3,300-square-foot parcel located at the end of Phillips Street. The state got the first right of refusal when the Pan Am Systems/Boston & Maine Corp. placed the right-of-way for a the former Watertown Branch of railroad up for sale. On Dec. 2, the town received a letter saying that the state did not intend to purchase the land, and notified officials that “The Town of Watertown has been designated as the purchaser for the [railroad] parcel.”

Business

Tufts Health Plan Drive Brings in Gifts for Hundreds of Children

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Employees of Tufts Health Plan donated nearly 300 gifts to give out to those in need. 

Each year, the names, ages and requests of children and adults in need are strung on Wish Trees at Tufts Health Plan, giving employees the chance to grant those holiday wishes. This year, the nearly 300 gifts donated by employees were given to clients of three local service organizations: the Cambridge Salvation Army, the Malden Salvation Army and Fernald Center of Waltham, according to the Tufts announcement. In addition, the estimated value of the gift contributions was matched with a cash donation by the Tufts Health Plan Foundation.

Real Estate

Several Homes Sold in Watertown This Week

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See which homes sold in Watertown and the sales price. $649,900 – 11-13 Lyons Ct., 2 unit, 10 total room, 4 total bedroom, 2 Family – 2 Units Up/Down multi-family home

$490,500 – 115 Holt Street, 7 room, 3 bedroom, 1 full & 1 half bathroom, Colonial single-family home

$410,000 – 106 Franklin Unit B, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse

$386,500 – 106 Franklin Street Unit A, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, condo/townhouse

$325,000 – 64 Grant Ave Unit 64, 6 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

$420,000 – 125 Coolidge Ave Unit 804, 3 room, 1 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, Mid-Rise condo/townhouse

Business

Planning Board’s Vote a Blow to East Watertown CVS Proposal

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The East Watertown CVS proposal did not pass muster with the Planning Board, but the Coolidge Square project is not dead. Wednesday night, the Planning Board heard from developers about changes made to the proposed 13,300-square-foot pharmacy at the corner of Mt. Auburn and Arlington streets. Architect Kevin Patten of BKA Architects showed drawings of the new facade which included a scaled down front entrance that would not protrude as much above the roofline, and the glass split up by glazing so they do not look like such large panes of glass. Another alteration was the addition of more landscaping and a wall that curves to “blur the line” between what is CVS and what is the public sidewalk, Patten said.

Business

Watertown Insurance Agency Brings in Big Haul for Toys for Tots

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The H & K Insurance Agency set a goal and accomplished it – they broke their own record for the amount of items they could collect for the Toys for Tots Drive. 

For the past several years the Watertown Square insurance agency has hold the drive that benefits the U.S. Marine Corps effort to collect toys to distribute to less fortunate children during the holidays. This year they tried to spread the word so they could up the ante and bring in more toys. “So far each year has been a little more successful than the last. But this year, thanks to the kindness of everyone involved, we have pretty much doubled our haul for the kids,” said Paul Perry, CISR, AAI Treasurer/General Manager of H & K Insurance. Even after the drive had officially ended, people were still coming in to drop off toys.

Real Estate

See Which Homes Sold in Watertown This Week

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Home sales continue to keep rolling in even as winter approaches. Sold – $576,000 – 170-172 Church Street in Watertown, MA
2 unit, 12 total room, 5 total bedroom, 2 Family – 2 Units Up/Down multi-family home

Sold – $300,000 – 32 Whites Avenue U:D42 in Watertown, MA
4 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, Mid-Rise condo/townhouse

Sold – $300,000 – 7 Sawin Street in Watertown, MA
6 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, single-family home

Government

Watertown Real Estate Prices Likely to Rise Again Next Year

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Last year, most areas of Watertown saw an increase in real estate values, Town Assessor Francis Golden told the Town Council, and the trend will likely continue. During his property tax presentation, Golden said 75 percent of neighborhoods appreciated last year. This resulted in an increase of property taxes of about 3.25 percent, he said (click here to read more details). Some of the additional value came from the new apartment complexes being built on the west side of Watertown, but a lot comes from appreciation of existing properties. Golden said Watertown has become a very attractive place to live.