Around Town

Our History: One of Watertown’s Oldest Houses Now Home to Law Office

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134 Main Street, photo taken in March 2004 (Courtesy of Joyce Kelly)

This article is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Joyce Kelly, Board member of the Historical Society of Watertown. Joyce writes articles for the newsletter and is the newsletter editor. This was published in our April 2004 newsletter, “The Town Crier”. 134 Main Street

Although many of the old houses of Watertown have been demolished to make way for “progress,” a few of these treasures have been saved by caring individuals with a soft spot for days gone by and an interest in what happened in the past.

Around Town

Gore Place’s New Home for Sheep Being Built With Historic Method

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Charlie BreitroseA new barn is going up at Gore Place for the estate’s herd of sheep. It is being built using a historic method. A new building going up at the farm at Gore Place will provide a new home for the flock of sheep at the historic estate, but it will also embody the architecture of the 19th Century, when the home and farm were built.

The beam and post method is being used to build the barn, where pieces are cut to fit together and are held together with wooden pegs. During construction, workers use only hand tools, besides the crane that lowered the beams into place when the frame went up in mid-December. The building is a reproduction of an English-style threshing barn which would have been used for threshing wheat, housing animals, and other purposes, said Thom Roach director of interpretation at Gore Place.

Around Town

Watertown Recycling Center Closed During Cold Spell

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Watertown’s Recycling Center will be closed this weekend due to the frigid temperatures, according to the announcement from the Department of Public Works. See info below. Due to inclement weather, the Recycle Center will be closing today, Friday, February 3, 2023 at 1pm and will remain closed all of Saturday, February 4, 2023. The Recycle Center will reopen Tuesday, February 7, 2023. Thank you and stay warm.

Around Town

Fewer Home Sold in Watertown in 2022, but Prices Rose & See Who Ranks as the Top Agent

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The number of home sales in Watertown in 2022 dropped from the previous year, as well as the total sales. However the average price rose. And the same agent topped the list for the second straight year. In 2022, 383 homes in Watertown sold for a combined $296.78 million. The number of sales went down from 2021, when there were 424 sales for a total of $316.63 million.

Around Town

Chamber’s Love Local Effort Supports Restaurants & Residents in Need

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The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Regional Chamber:

The Charles River Regional Chamber is launching a month-long campaign in February designed to support the restaurant community in Newton, Needham, Watertown and Wellesley, while also helping those in need. The Love Local: Supporting Our Restaurants & Our Community campaign is designed to encourage dining locally at a time when restaurants continue to struggle in a challenging economy. In addition, about 30 area chamber member restaurants are organizing a clothing drive to give back while visiting their favorite restaurants. “While Valentine’s Day may be a traditional day to dine out – the Love Local campaign runs all month long with multiple ways to support our restaurants and the community during this short, cold month when all could use a little bit of a boost,” said Chamber President Greg Reibman. Donation boxes at participating restaurant locations spread throughout all four communities will be accepting NEW sweatshirts, sweatpants, t-shirts and other items to help in the cold winter months.

Around Town

Watertown Seeks to Fill Opening on Planning Board

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The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking residents to serve on the Planning Board. The Planning Board makes recommendations on all special permits, variances, site plan reviews, and Zoning Ordinances-Map amendments. Conducts other land-use planning studies as needed. Candidates should have background in architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, land-use planning, construction, or any related fields. Board meets 2nd Wednesday of each month.

Around Town

Watertown Recreation Accepting Applications for Part-Time & Seasonal Positions

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Recreation Department:

The Watertown Recreation Department is now accepting applications for the following positions for the 2023 calendar year. This includes immediate employment as a part time member of the staff throughout the year or seasonal work during different seasons of the year. Applicants must be entering the 9th grade (Fall 2023) or older to be considered. Positions Available: Program Directors, Program Supervisors, Program Staff, Program Counselors, Counselor in Training, Nurse, Specialists, Pequossette Staff, Park Instructors, Park Rangers, Tennis Supervisor, Coaches and Scorekeepers. If you are looking for employment to begin before the summer season, please complete your application and an interview will be scheduled with the Director of Recreation as soon as your application is completed.