Around Town

Developers Have Vision for Site at Pleasant St. & Rosedale Ave.

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Broder/CBTAn illustration of the potential designs for a project at Pleasant Street and Rosedale Avenue, which would include a life science building, a garage and retail space. A project has been envisioned for a major parcel on Pleasant Street that would add a life science building, retail and a parking garage. Broder and CBT seek a Site Plan Review application for a project on the former Cannistraro property (and the former home of the Plumbing Museum) at the corner of Pleasant Street and Rosedale Ave. The project includes multiple parcels: 275 & 313 Pleasant St., 80 Rosedale Road and 60 Acton St. Project documents were submitted to the Watertown Planning Department and posted on the City website on Nov.

Government

Council’s Budget Priorities for FY 2024 Include Watertown Square Study, Rodent Control & 311 System

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Watertown City Hall

The City Council gave City Manager George Proakis its priorities for the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which includes funds for a study of the future of Watertown Square, rodent control, and launching a 311 system. Each year, the Council’s Budget and Fiscal Oversight Committee meets in the fall to discuss the priorities for the next fiscal year’s budget. The results were presented on Nov. 22, and adopted by the full Council. Other items added include staffing to make sure the changes to the Comprehensive Plan are implemented, focusing on snow and ice removal as a possible residential requirement is considered, and implementation of recommendations coming out of plans and studies, including the Personnel Department assessment, the salary study, the Energy and Climate Plan, and the Health and Human Services Study.

Around Town

Giving Tuesday: Some Watertown Non-Profits You Can Support

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Looking for a place in Watertown to donate on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29, here are some ideas. Watertown Boy’s & Girls Club serves hundreds of children across the community. It also provides swim lessons and hosts some of the Cops and Rec programs with the Watertown Police and the Watertown Recreation Department. There are other ways to give to the Watertown Boy’s & Girl’s Club, click here to see the options http://watertownbgc.org/donate/

The Watertown Community Foundation awards grants for educational programs, health programs, revitalization of the riverfront, and provides emergency assistance for families in crisis.

Government

Council Approves Tax Rates, Cannot Shift Burden onto Commercial as Much as in Past

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A State law that allows cities and towns to shift the tax rates from residential properties to commercial and industrial properties also stands in the way of providing as much relief to homeowners as the City Council would like. Last week, the City Council adopted the new tax rate with a split tax rate and residential exemption that would increase the average annual tax bill by $309 or 4.4 percent. State Law’s Impact on Watertown Taxes

Proposition 2 1/2, which is known for limiting the overall tax levy increase to 2.5 percent per year, also allows for some relief of up to residential property owners. Watertown City Assessor Earl Smith told the City Council on Nov. 22 that the law also limits how much can be “shifted” onto CIP (commercial, industrial and personal) properties.

Entertainment

Whoville is Back and Bigger Than Ever at the Commander’s Mansion

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Charlie BreitroseThe entry to the 2021 Whoville Jubilee lit by holiday lights. The Commander’s Mansion announced the annual Whoville Jubilee and Tree Lighting on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 from 4-8 p.m.

The celebration takes place at the Mansion, located at 440 Talcott Ave., Watertown (enter the east entrance of the Arsenal on the Charles). The tree lighting will take place at 6:30 p.m.

Come by and enjoy:

Photos with Santa! Holiday Bazaar!

Entertainment

December at Mosesian Center: “A Christmas Carol,” Jazz, Comedy & More

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Dick Terhune stars in “A Christmas Carol” at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:

The Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown has announced December performances, exhibitions, and arts education programs. From theater, comedy, variety, and music to new exhibitions and arts education, there’s plenty of variety in the month’s programming. “We aimed to offer traditional holiday shows and a variety of events for everyone,” said Executive Director Darren Farrington. “We want our community to feel that December is for everyone.”

Performances

Once Upon a Time | December 2

Watertown Children’s Theatre’s youngest performers, the Junior Players (grades K-2), showcase their vocal, dance, and acting skills in a one-of-a-kind musical revue bringing the pages of favorite fairy tales to life – and telling some new stories along the way! Multiverse Concert Series presents Reef Music | December 3

This action-packed day interweaving coral science, live electro-symphonic music, large-screen video, and immersive activities for the audience is suitable for children, adults, and families.

Around Town

Runners Take to Streets of Watertown for 17th Annual Donohue’s Turkey Trot

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Charlie BreitroseRunners hit the streets for the 17th annual Donohue’s Turkey Trot on Thursday morning. The tradition continued Thursday morning when hundreds of runners and walkers gathered for the 17th time to hit the streets of Watertown during the Donohue’s Bar & Grill Turkey Trot. The proceeds from the 5K run and walk run and walk go to the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. Charlie BreitroseTurkey Trot competitors jump off the line at the start of the 5K race. The race drew a large crowd on a sunny but crisp Thanksgiving morning when temperatures hovered around freezing.