Arrests

Police Log: Driver Hits Fence at Boys & Girls Club, Woman Strikes Library Employee

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrest

Jan. 15, 3:05 a.m: An officer patrolling on Main Street near Prescott Street saw a vehicle on the side of the road with its engine running and the turn signal on. When the officer came back 20 minutes later the vehicle was still there with engine and turn signal still on. The officer went over to check on the well-being of the driver, who was slumped in the driver’s seat and appeared to be asleep behind the wheel.

Affordable Housing

Six Watertown Residents Wanted to Serve on Affordable Housing Trust Board

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City Manager Michael J. Driscoll is seeking six (6) Watertown citizens interested in serving on the Watertown Affordable Housing Trust. The Housing Plan adopted by the City of Watertown on March 23, 2021 documented the need to create and preserve more affordable housing within the City. The Watertown Housing Partnership recommended the formation of a municipal affordable housing trust under M.G.L. c. 44, §55C to establish a trust to facilitate the creation and preservation of affordable housing within the City of Watertown for the benefit of low-to-moderate-income households and for the funding of community housing. The Honorable City Council adopted Ordinance 2021-89, An Ordinance to Accept the Provisions of M.G.L. C. 44, §55c to Establish a Trust to Facilitate the Creation and Preservation of Affordable Housing Within the City of Watertown at their November 23, 2021 meeting. Composition: The Trust shall be governed by a Board of Trustees (the “Board”) in accordance with M.G.L. c. 44, § 55C, as revised from time to time, and the authority granted by the City Council.

Around Town

Local Pastor Honored with Award at Unity Breakfast, He and Others Reflect on Teachings of Martin Luther King Jr.

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Charlie BreitroseA mural created by Watertown High School students for the 2020 Unity Breakfast. The 2022 Watertown Unity Breakfast honored a pair of people who have contributed to their communities, and featured the words of two young residents who shared their winning pieces in the Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest. For the second year in a row, the annual MLK Day event had to be held virtually. The broadcast of the ceremony debuted on Monday, and this year’s theme was “choosing courage.” Unity Award

The annual Unity Award went to a pastor of a Watertown church who has made a difference since he arrived in town a few years ago.

Business

Watertown Real Estate Market Remained Vibrant in 2021, See the Top Agents & Offices

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Watertown’s residential real estate market remained strong during 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, finishing stronger than 2020. In 2021, 424 properties in Watertown sold for a total of $316.63 million. More homes were sold than in 2020, when 413 properties were purchased, but the total amount was lower than 2020’s $586.21 million. In 2019, 429 homes sold for a total of $590 million

Top Agents

The agent with the most sales in Watertown was Bob Airasian of Coldwell Banker in Belmont. The Watertown resident sold 25 properties for $22.82 million.

Around Town

Developer to Discuss Plans for Watertown Mall at Community Meeting

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Alexandria Real Estate EquitiesA rendering of the conceptual plans for the Watertown Mall property and adjacent properties. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc. will discuss conceptual plans for the Watertown Mall property and adjacent properties. Meetings are planned for Thursday, Jan. 27 and Tuesday, March 1 and will be held virtually. The plan calls for keeping the Target store, and building a campus on the properties that will include life science, retail and community uses.

Around Town

Car Fire Spreads to Become 2 Alarm Blaze, Damages Watertown Home

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Several Watertown residents were displaced by a fire that started in a car. On Saturday, Jan. 15 at 8:15 a.m. a car fire was reported on Flint Road. A working fire was declared at 8:30 a.m.

“Upon arrival companies found a fully involved vehicle fire with extension into the home,” said the post on the Watertown Fire Department’s Facebook page. Deputy Chief Robert Iannetta ordered a second alarm for the fire, which damaged the 2.5 story two-family home.

Around Town

LETTER: Former Watertown Middle School Teacher Looks to Heal, Rebuild Relationships in Spirit of MLK Jr.

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The following letter was written to you, my Watertown community, almost a year ago. It was written upon Watertown News’ request for a statement from me on March 5th, 2021. As an employee of the Watertown Public Schools, I was not permitted to make such a statement at any time over the past year. Having now resigned from WPS, I would love the opportunity to share my thoughts with you and hopefully work towards some healing and rebuilding of the fractured relationships that last year’s incidents engendered. I can’t think of a better time to do this than Martin Luther King Day 2022.