Around Town

Watertown Savings Awards More Than $20 Million in PPP Loans

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A lot of money was raised and spent on the 2015 Watertown Election. One of the key parts of the Federal CARES Act, passed by Congress in response to the economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, was the program to prevent layoffs, called the Payroll Protection Program or PPP. Loans were granted to businesses who applied through their banks. Locally, one of the institutions used by many in town is Watertown Savings Bank, which announced it handed out more than $20 million in PPP loans. The program allows for forgivable loans of up to $10 million, but the average amount of the PPP loans approved by Watertown Savings was close to $35,000.

Business

Recently Formed Business Group Highlighted on Watertown Cable Show

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The Watertown Business Coalition recently came on the scene to take over some of the roles of the former Chamber of Commerce, and the group has already made a mark. The group was the focus of the most recent episode of the Inside Watertown show on Watertown Cable. The subject was a familiar one for co-hosts Charlie Breitrose and Bob Airasian, who have been involved in the Business Coalition’s leadership group. The group has hosted three in-person events, and recently held a virtual coffee connect. The guests on the episode (recorded remotely) were WBC co-founder Doug Orifice and Watertown Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon, who talked about a project the Business Coalition worked on with Town of Watertown officials on a project to inform people about which restaurants are open during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Real Estate

A Trio of Watertown Homes Sold This Week

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See the three homes that sold this week in Watertown. $810,000 – 39 Piermont St., Single Family – Detached Colonial, 2,126 Living Area Sq. Ft. 9 Room, 3 Bedroom, 2 Full & 1 Half Bathroom

$580,000 – 56 Bigelow Ave. Unit 18, Condo – Garden, 1,110 Living Area Sq.

85 Walnut St.

Life Science Building With Garage & Park Approved by Zoning Board

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A rendering of what the life science building at 85 Walnut St. will look like from Arsenal Street. The Zoning Board of Appeals gave final approval to a life science building on the former Doble Engineering property. The four story building near Arsenal Street will also have a parking garage and a park along Walnut Street. The project came before the board for the second time Wednesday night, and the board approve the project with some additional requirements.

Development

Zoning Board Asserts Safe Harbor to Stop Proposed 40B Apartment Project

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A rendering of the proposed apartment complex at 148 Waltham St., the former Sterritt Lumber site. The 253-unit residential project proposed for the former Sterritt Lumber site on the Westside of town was stopped by the Zoning Board on Wednesday night when it asserted that the Town has met the state requirements for subsidized housing. The developers of the project at 148 Waltham St., Nordblom Development Company, submitted the request for a comprehensive plan under the Chapter 40B law, which allows for denser housing developments in communities that have not met the minimum standards for subsidized housing. The project would have had more than a quarter of its units, 64, rented at below market rate. The ZBA, however, asserted “Safe Harbor” which allows towns with more than 1.5 percent of the land zoned for residential, commercial or industrial use is being used for subsidized housing, said ZBA member Kelly Donato when she made the motion.

Around Town

Find Out More About Pandemic Unemployment Benefits

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Massachusetts State House. The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance provided the following Q&A about Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, the program that was created by the Federal CARES Act. The new program provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are not eligible for other types of unemployment, including gig-workers, self-employed, those who have lost work hours and people who had a job offer rescinded due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Find out more information and how to apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program by clicking here. Frequently Asked Questions

Does the CARES Act provide benefits to workers who have been ineligible for regular or extended benefits until now?

148 Waltham St.

85 Walnut St., Old Sterritt Lumber Site Projects on Zoning Board Agenda

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A rendering of the proposed apartment complex at 148 Waltham St., the former Sterritt Lumber site. The project proposed for the former Doble Engineering property at 85 Walnut Street, and the apartment building proposed for the former Sterritt Lumber site on Waltham Street will be heard by the Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals Wednesday night at 7 p.m. The board will meet using the Zoom app, and will also be televised by Watertown Cable. The meeting will be held remotely to comply with orders related to the COVID-19 outbreak. The public will have remote opportunities for participation by joining the Zoom meeting, by phone or by sending emails. Developers of the former Sterritt Lumber site have filed for a comprehensive permit for the proposed apartment which was initially proposed as a Chapter 40B project.

Real Estate

Several Watertown Homes Sold This Week

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See the six properties sold in town this week. $742,800 – 383 School St. Unit 383, Condo – 2/3 Family, 1,908 Living Area Sq. Ft., 7 Room, 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathroom

$429,000 – 81 Pierce Road Unit 226, Condo – Townhouse, 874 Living Area Sq. Ft., 5 Room, 2 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom

$410,000 – 258 Lexington St.