Business

Watertown Company Ranked Best in the Nation

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A national group named Watertown-based Tufts Health Plan the top health insurance provider in two categories. Tufts received the No. 1 ranking among both private insurance plans and Medicaid health insurance plans, known as Network Health. “Being recognized for offering the nation’s top-ranked private and Medicaid health plans is tremendous recognition that reflects our unwavering commitment to providing affordable, high-quality health care coverage to our members no matter their age or life circumstance,” said James Roosevelt Jr., chief executive officer, Tufts Health Plan. “It’s a shared accomplishment for our entire community of members, employees, providers, employers and brokers.”

The Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2014-2015 were announced by the National Committee for Quality Assurance this week.

Real Estate

Watertown Home Sells for $1.1 Million, See That and More!

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Four home sold in Watertown this week, including one for more than $1 million. $420,000 – 16 Morrison Road 4 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, Ranch single-family home

$483,500 – 649 Main St., 6 room, 3 bedroom, 1 full & 1 half bathroom, Colonial single-family home

Sponsored by:$1,100,000 – 74 Russell Avenue, 13 room, 7 bedroom, 3 full & 1 half bathroom, Victorian single-family home

$745,000 – 169 Standish Road, 7 room, 3 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom, Colonial single-family home

Development

Details of New Arsenal St. Development Revealed by Developer

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A new project proposed for the corner of Arsenal and Irving streets will serve as a guinea pig for the town’s new zoning rules and regulations. Developers Greystar Real Estate, which is working with local partners Oaktree FX, met with the general public for the first time on Monday at the Police Station and presented their current vision for the 5.79 acre project that will include 278 apartments and 15,000 square feet of retail space. Brandon Henry, who runs development for Greystar in the Northeast, thanked the town for inviting Greystar to be the “demonstration project” for the new zoning rules. “We want your feedback and ideas so we can incorporate it into the development. I have seen a lot of developments and in my opinion this site is the best one in Watertown,” Henry said.

Development

LETTER: Former ZBA Member Opposes Greystone Project

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Enough is enough! I oppose:

As a resident of Irving Street for over 58 years and property owner, I am convinced that this plan will exacerbate the Irving Street/Arsenal Street corridor. Irving Street provides important access for emergency vehicles so they can quickly get to emergency situations, as it did during the “Marathon Bombers” terrorist attacks in Watertown. In the first place, the location surrounding the proposed housing of 300 units, a market, a restaurant and retail shops is already an overly dense area, and not suitable for the Greystar development project. I am convinced that the project will definitely have an adverse affect on the neighborhood.

Development

Town Hiring Consultant to Create New Design Standards, Guidelines

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The Town Council agreed to hire local architect to put together a new set of design standards and guidelines in an effort to protect residential neighborhoods from new developments. 

The town will work with David Gamble of Gamble Associates to will put together the new set of rules, Director of Community Development and Planning Steve Magoon said. The work will be done in three phases, Magoon said. During the first phase Gamble will gather information and documents about design standards and guidelines on the local, regional and national levels. He will also meet with stakeholders and reach out to others to find out issues face Watertown. In the second phase, a draft of the design standards and guidelines will be created, and Gamble will look at what changes would result and what problems might arise.

Around Town

Watertown Named One of Top Places to Live in New England

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Watertown wound up near the top of the best places to live in New England list made by Movoto.com. Coming in at third in the Top 10 Best Places in New England, the list noted Watertown’s historic and cultural amenities and low crime and unemployment rates. The food offerings at restaurants and markets in town were also pluses in the town’s favor. The criteria examined were amenities, quality of life, crime, tax rate, unemployment, commute time and weather. See the entire list by clicking here.

Real Estate

Home Sales for the Week in Watertown

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A couple of homes sold in Watertown this week. See the details here. $590,000 – 126 Winsor Avenue, 2 unit, 10 total room, 4 total bedroom, 2 Family home

$335,000 – 107 Lexington St. Unit 2, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, 2 Family condo

Business

Council Looking at Allowing BYOB at Watertown Restaurants

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While Watertown officials look at adding more liquor licenses, they will also consider whether restaurants can have bring your own alcohol licenses. Councilor Aaron Dushku, who sits on one of the three subcommittees looking at liquor licenses, said he also wants to consider allowing people to bring their own wine or beer to enjoy with their meal. One of the reasons for having BYOB is so people can have wine and avoid the markup on the wine, Dushku said. “Residents who want to enjoy a fine wine, they can pay the value of the wine which they perceive the price to be,” Dushku said. Restaurants would still be able to charge a corkage fee.