Government

Council Upset That Property Taxes Will Rise Despite Big Increases in Commercial & Industrial Tax Revenue

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Watertown Assessor Earl Smith had some good news for the City Council Tuesday night that new development has brought in several million in new tax dollars. However, what stood out most was the bad news that he had for homeowners — a property tax increase for Fiscal Year 2022. The new life science developments in Watertown will bring in millions of dollars of new tax revenue for the City but due to the restrictions of the state law regarding shifting the tax burden away from residential properties, the average residential tax bill will rise by $287 or 4.3 percent, Smith said. The total tax levy for the City of Watertown in Fiscal Year 2022 will be $134.4 million, Smith said. The increase would have been more if the Council did not approve an increase in the amount of the Residential Exemption, given to owner-occupied properties.

Government

Council to Decide on Watertown Property Tax Rates at Meeting Tuesday

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Charlie Breitrose

Tuesday night, the City Council will hear the tax rate presentation from the Town Assessor, and recommendations for tax breaks for residential properties and owner-occupied homes. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber in City Hall, 149 Main St. It will also be broadcast on Watertown Cable Access’s Government Channel (Comcast Channel 9, RCN Channel 13, and on wcatv.org). On Tuesday, Chair of the Board of Assessors Earl Smith will present the Fiscal Year 2022 Tax Classification Hearing to the Council. The members of the Council will then decide on the rate, and on ways to ease the burden on residential property owners.

Business

New Restaurant on Arsenal Street Packs Flavors from Around the Globe into Takeout Dishes

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Flavor Boom!Six of the 10 entrees served up at Flavor Boom!, which opened recently on Arsenal Street. A pair of foodies have opened up their own restaurant in Watertown that serves up bold dishes from around the world which are designed to be taken out and enjoyed at home or work. Flavor Boom! began about three months ago in a space in a commercial block on Arsenal Street, and now has a menu with 10 entrees inspired by the cooking of places like China, Spain, Indonesia, France and Thailand. Owner Jim Tao said he came up with about half of the dishes and the others were the creation of his cooking partner Harry Liao, or “Chef Harry.”

Around Town

Shop Watertown Week Features Special Offers From More Than 25 Stores, Businesses

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Starting Nov. 26, you can shop locally and take advantage of special offers from stores, dance studios, restaurants and other businesses during Shop Watertown Week. As of Nov. 22, 27 businesses have joined Shop Watertown. The first such event is sponsored by the Watertown Business Coalition in an effort to promote local businesses during the holiday season, the WBC announcement said.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Business Broken Into, Man Faces Charges After Road Rage Incident

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

None

Incidents

Nov 8, 4:30 p.m.: A Watertown woman was shopping with her child at CVS on Main Street. She put her purse and wallet in the bottom of her baby stroller and walked around the store for about half an hour. When she went to pay for her items she realized her wallet and purse were gone. Later that day the woman’s credit cards were used in multiple places in Boston.

Field Hockey

CHAMPS! Watertown Field Hockey Team Wins Overtime Thriller Against Sandwich to Claim Program’s 19th Title

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Charlie BreitroseThe Raiders celebrate after scoring the winning goal in sudden death overtime in the Div. 3 Field Hockey State Final. HANOVER — Patience and hard work paid off for the Watertown High School field hockey team, Saturday. It took more than 77 minutes of play, but the Raiders prevailed 1-0 over Sandwich in the State Final. After a deadlocked hour of regulation play, Watertown and Sandwich went to overtime to decide who was the best team in MIAA Div.

Government

New Councilor Sworn In, Will Serve the Remainder of the Term Representing District D Before Serving Full Term

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Charlie BreitroseEmily Izzo was sworn in as District D Councilor on Thursday night. She will fill the remainder of the term for the vacant seat representing the westside of Watertown before starting her first full term. Westsiders have a Councilor again with newly elected District D Councilor Emily Izzo’s swearing in on Thursday evening. Unlike the other new City Councilors, Izzo will start serving before the start of the new term in January because she is filling a vacant seat. Her predecessor, Ken Woodland, stepped down from the Council in April to take a position with the state that prohibits him from serving on the council.

Police/Fire

SUV Crosses Mt. Auburn Street, Runs into Building After Driver Has Medical Incident

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A car drifted across three lanes of traffic on Mt. Auburn Street, went up onto the sidewalk and ran into the side of a building, later Thursday morning. Watertown Police said that the driver had a medical issue, that led to the accident. Police received a report of the accident at 11:12 a.m. on Thursday. The SUV had just crossed Watertown Square from Galen Street and went eastbound on Mt.