Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/aroundtown/page/603/)
A slew of residents came out to ask for upgrades to Watertown Cable’s antiquated infrastructure during a public hearing with Comcast. Click here to see details in a story I wrote for the Watertown Tab.
Check out the story that I wrote for the Watertown Tab on the presentation by VHB Inc., the consultants hired to put together Watertown’s Comprehensive Plan. Click here to view the story on the Tab site.
A group representing local, independent groups spoke to the Town Council on Tuesday and asked them to consider adopting measures to support local businesses, but their request was denied. Members of Watertown-Belmont Local First include locally-owned businesses and while the group is modeled on other similar groups, spokeswoman Rena Baskin said the group is independent. Members must be located in town, owned locally (headquartered in Massachusetts), must not be publicly traded and must be independent – not franchised, Baskin said. Supporting locally-owned businesses can have benefits, Baskin said. “They are the largest employer and provide the most employment to town residents,” Baskin said.
Deaths from overdoses caused by heroin and other opioids has risen in Massachusetts, and has even impacted Watertown. The Watertown Fire Department is one of the first departments to have access to an antidote for overdoses. Starting on Feb. 20, all Watertown fire vehicles began carrying Nalaxone, a drug that can be given as an antidote to a person suspected of suffering from an opioid overdose, said Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio. Opioids also include prescription painkiller medicines codeine and oxycontin.
The Massachusetts Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild will hold the fourth in a series of meetings looking at the lockdown in Watertown during the hunt for the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects last April. On March 5 at 7 p.m., the group will hold a meeting to provide a safe space for people to address concerns over how the lockdown was conducted, according to the announcement from the group. Some issues brought up include whether the lockdown was necessary, the effect on people who were searched and whether the U.S. Constitution was followed. It will also look at how the lockdown impacted the Fourth Amendment – The Right To Be Secure In One’s Home And Person From Unreasonable Searches and Seizures. The meeting will be at the First Parish Church of Watertown, 35 Church St., from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Parking is available at lots on Summer Street and in the Watertown Square municipal lot.
The Town Council opened the way for a multi-story hotel to be built in town, but only in a small area on the east side of town on Arsenal Street by unanimously voting to change a town zoning ordinance. The change of the zoning ordinance allows a hotel of up to 79 feet and seven stories tall, and it will be limited to the Industrial 1 (I-1) Zone. The Council also considered extending the changes in the zoning to I-2 and I-3 zones. One such hotel has been proposed at the former Charles River Saab site which is in the I-1 zone. Other changes to the zoning include a reduction of parking requirements to .75 cars per room and one for each employee at peak times, and allowing employees to park one behind another blocking them in.
Brides and grooms-to-be can find caterers, photographers, entertainers and more for their big day at the ninth annual Wedding Faire at the Commander’s Mansion in Watertown. Meet the top wedding professionals from the Boston area and see the latest bridal fashions at the event on March 1 and 2 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sample food and prizes will also be given out during the event. Vendors include caterers, florists, photographers, bakeries, entertainment, transportation and more. Different vendors will be featured each day. Tickets cost $5 and is good for the whole weekend.
Snow covers the road at the Arsenal on the Charles in front of athenahealth. Photo: Charlie Breitrose. By Charlie Breitrose
[Updated 4:02 p.m.] The snow has turned to rain. Watch out for downed branches and power outages. The snow may return later.