Around Town

Citizen Petition Calling for Buffers Between Developments and Residential Zones Submitted to Council

By |

A photo of the petition sent to the City Council on April 27. Another citizens’ petition has been submitted to the City Council seeking to change zoning rules. This one seeks to reduce the impact of developments on abutting residential districts. The petition calls for “discretionary” transitions for new developments next to residential zones, which could include considerations for height, setbacks, and screening, among other things. It was signed by 439 people and submitted to the City Clerk on April 27.

Schools

Tour of Temporary High School Wows School & City Officials

By |

Charlie BreitroseParker Helwig of J&J Contractors shows City and School officials around a classroom at the modular high school at Moxley Field. Ooos, aahs, and genuine surprise were the reactions of the Watertown School and City officials this week when they got a look inside the temporary high school going up at Moxley Field. Right now, the area between Main Street and Watertown Middle School has a bit of a barren feel, with the grey modulars in a large U on top of bare earth. Inside, the building feels much more like a typical school. The walls and ceilings are complete, except for the seams between the modules and the ceilings, which will be installed after the lights, electrical wires, fire sprinkler system and other systems are installed.

Around Town

City Will Distribute $10.5M in ARPA Funds, Several Groups Have Ideas for How to Spend It

By |

The kitchen at the Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church — the site of the Watertown Food Pantry, needs upgrading. The church is applying for some of the City of Watertown’s ARPA funds, with which Pastor Gary Richards hopes to create a space open to the community. Photo by Maya Shwayder. Watertown has $10.5 million to spend, and the clock is ticking! The City Council will be the ones divvying up the dollars, but Councilors will have to choose from a long (and growing) list of proposals:

The Department of Public Works needs around $5 million to replace Watertown’s crumbling water and sewer infrastructure.

Around Town

One of Watertown’s Oldest Houses Has Quite a History

By |

Charlie BreitroseThe Edmund Fowle House has been in Watertown for 251 years, though not always at its current spot on Marshall Street. It played a role in the American Revolution, including the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in Massachusetts (re-enacted here in 2016) and was where the first treaty was signed by the United States. It is now home to the Historical Society of Watertown which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Living in a house dating back to the time of the American Revolution can be an adventure, with bouncy floors, water coming through the ceiling, and evidence of superstitions of times past. Former Historical Society President Paul Brennan recalled his years spent living in the Edmund Fowle House on Saturday when he returned for the Society’s 100th anniversary and the celebration of 251 years for the home that played a role in the American Revolution.

Around Town

Mount Auburn Cemetery Celebrates Arbor Day, Seeks to Become Carbon Neutral

By |

Courtney Lucas / Mount Auburn CemeteryMount Auburn Cemetery’s newest tree, a Yoshino Cherry, is planted with the help of Jonathan Webb, the Cemetery’s Director of Horticulture and Landscaping Operations, State Rep. Steve Owens, and Mount Auburn President and CEO Matthew Stephens. Already home to thousands of trees, Mount Auburn Cemetery added to its urban forest by planting a tree on Friday as part of its Arbor Day Celebration. At the event, President and CEO Matthew Stephens also discussed steps the cemetery is taking to become carbon neutral by 2050. On Friday, Stephens put one of the first shovels of dirt on the newly planted Yoshino Cherry. That is the same species as can be seen during the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.

The Yoshino is just one of about 6,000 trees at the cemetery, Stephens said.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Car Stolen Off Street, Handgun Found in River

By |

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

April 14, 12:13 a.m.: Witnesses called police after seeing a silver and black SUV driving down Main Street with a flat tire and being driven erratically. The vehicle swerved a few times and almost lost control. Police located the vehicle on Prescott Street, and the driver was in the front seat slouched forward and asleep. It took several attempts for officers to wake the man in the car.

Government

Comprehensive Plan to Include Focus on Local Business, Diversifying New Developments

By |

The revised draft of Watertown’s Comprehensive Plan will include some new additions and points of emphasis about supporting small businesses and seeking to diversify the local economy after the input provided by residents earlier this year. On Thursday afternoon, he Planning Advisory Committee heard about the public input from the open house in March, as well as online surveys and emails sent to the project team. They also learned about the process for the final approval of the Comprehensive Plan. Phil Schaeffing, the project manager with Stantec, said the input came from a room full of people during the March 9 open house at the Watertown Library, which was also attended by several people online. They received both spoken and written comments at the event.

Around Town

Watertown’s First Sculpture Walk Being Installed, Grand Opening Planned

By |

Liz HelferThe first piece of the Watertown Community Sculpture Walk arrives on Monday. Installation of Watertown’s newest public art installation, the Community Sculpture Walk, began this week when the first of four pieces was erected in Saltonstall Park. The other three sculptures will be installed next week, said Liz Helfer, Watertown’s Public Arts & Culture Planner. Two of the sculptures will be along the path through Saltonstall Park (near City Hall and the Watertown Boys & Girls Club). The other two will be along the section of the Community Path between Whites Avenue and Waverley Avenue.