Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/author/cbreitro/page/2/)
A single family, a townhouse, and a condo were sold this week. 17 Templeton Pkwy. #1, $580,000, 2 bedroom 1 bathroom 1,005 sq. ft. Condo
30 Merrill Road, $1,550,000, 3 bedroom 4 bathroom 2,700 sq.
Two dozen open houses to choose from this weekend for Watertown homebuyers. 84-86 Boylston St., $1,075,000, 5 bedroom 2 bathroom 2,100 sq. ft. 2 Family, Open houses: Saturday, Nov. 15 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Sunday, Nov.
Charlie BreitroseA lot of money was raised and spent on the 2015 Watertown Election. Watertown homeowners will see their property taxes rise nearly 7 percent after the City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Tax Classification on Wednesday night. The average residential tax bill is $11,328, which is up $734 or 6.9 percent, according to the presentation by Earl Smith, the chair of the Watertown Board of Assessors. The Council also adopted the residential exemption at 35 percent, which provides a savings of $3,965. The average tax bill with the residential exemption is $7,363, which is up $476 or 6.9 percent.
When we moved to Adams Avenue 26 years ago, one of the most appealing aspects of the property were the tall trees, many of them 100 years old, providing delicious shade in summer while housing our furry and feathery friends. This week, our neighbors announced to us that in order to rebuild their garage, they intend to remove the black cherry tree that stands taller than our three story house. It is rooted on our property line, along with a crab apple tree, which they also intend to remove. Ever since we heard the news, we have been coping with the impending doom of losing such a vital part of our immediate natural surroundings. The tree has been the place where our bird feeders hang, where raccoon families forage for berries, where the squirrels fly from branch to branch, where the woodpeckers search underneath the bark for tasty morsels. Our cities rely on the mature neighborhood tree canopy to mitigate the effects of climate change. They provide the shade that is needed to prevent the heat beating down in summer from radiating back at us. The roots are vital in preventing the soil from eroding, and instrumental in preventing flooding. As a society, we are beginning to understand how vital it is to care for our trees. Those focused on expanding the built environment have been too flippant in eliminating shade trees from our city. Nature takes decades to build them up, only to be chain sawed from a cherry picker in a single day.
Six body works businesses in Watertown have been closed indefinitely after being found to be in violation of the City’s new body works regulations. The inspections aimed at not only ensuring that the businesses were in compliance with the updated regulations, but also “to safeguard residents, legitimate businesses, and potential victims of human trafficking,” according to an announcement on the Watertown Police Department’s social media. “All six were found to be in violation of regulations set by the Watertown Board of Health, the Building Department, and the Zoning Department, as well as the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure. These establishments will not be permitted to reopen until they meet the required standards established by these agencies,” the Watertown Police announcement said. The inspections were conducted by the Watertown Health Department, in coordination with Watertown Police, Watertown Zoning and Building Departments, and the Occupational Licensing Division of Massachusetts.
John Airasian
This week, Watertown said goodbye to a man who devoted his life to three things: family, business, and the community. Thousands lined up in the cold weather for his wake on Tuesday, and on Wednesday hundreds sat in the pews at St. Patrick’s Church for the funeral of John S. Airasian. While he served on many community organizations through the years — the Watertown-Belmont Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Watertown, the Arsenal Reuse Committee, and the Traffic Commission — many they will remember Airasian for his friendly demeanor, desire to help others, and his love of his hometown. His three sons — Pete, Bob, and John — remembered their father during Wednesday’s funeral service.
The Water Mills residential and retail complex on Pleasant Street will be sold at auction. An apartment building on Pleasant Street will be sold at auction on Dec. 10, 2025. The 99-unit complex at 330–350 Pleasant St., known as Water Mills, also has nearly 18,000 sq. ft.
Watertown Veterans Services Officer Jay Terminiello introduced veteran and Council on Aging member Russ Arico, the featured speaker at the Senior Center’s Veterans Luncheon. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
The Senior Center hosted dozens of veterans and other guests on Monday to pay tribute to Watertown’s current and former military servicemen and women the day before Veterans Day. The featured speaker at the event was a member of the Army Corps of Engineers in the Vietnam War, Russ Arico, who is currently serves on the Watertown Council on Aging. “Watertown residents have served this country from its inception, creating this country and right up until today,” said Arico. He highlighted one Watertown family, the Ovoians, who had members who landed at Normandy in World War II, two brothers who served in Vietnam, and a member of the next generation who took part in the first Gulf War.