Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/author/cbreitro/page/6/)
Watertown Police are investigating a stabbing that occurred on Tuesday that sent one person to the hospital. The WPD sent out the following announcement on Facebook:
At 5 p.m. (Tuesday), the Watertown Police Department responded to a stabbing at the intersection of Mt. Auburn St. and Boylston St. The victim was approached by three males, which led to an altercation during which the victim was stabbed in the lower back.
A Vote No on Question 5 T-shirt worn by an employee at Donohue’s Bar & Grill (Contributed Photo)
Local restaurants have spoken out against Question 5 on the State Election ballot, saying that if the ballot measure passes servers and bartenders would make less money, and diners would see higher prices to cover the $15 per hour wages. Employees at Donohue’s Bar & Grill have been wearing T-shirts saying “Protect Tipped Workers: Vote No on Question 5.” Branch Line sent out a letter to customers urging them to vote no on the ballot measure entitled “Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers.” The Watertown Business Coalition and the Charles River Regional Chamber also announced they support voting No on 5. Passage of the ballot measure has been endorsed by Progressive Massachusetts and Progressive Watertown.
Massachusetts State House
The following announcement was provided by Progressive Watertown:
WBUR characterized the end of the 2023-2024 MA legislative session as “a showcase of dysfunctional governance that was [as] demoralizing as it was infuriating to witness.” “Deeply broken” was a headline in the Boston Globe. Activists are boiling over with frustration! What’s going on? Why does the MA legislature pass so few bills? Why couldn’t MA pass a climate bill after the hottest summer on record?
(Updated Oct. 29: ADUs are limited to single family properties in districts that allow them by right.)
When the zoning changes proposed to make the Watertown Square Area Plan a reality were presented last week, the City Council and Planning Board didn’t get to dig down on a few areas, including accessory dwelling units (i.e. in-law units), what constitutes a household for residential units, and the new Neighborhood Mixed Use zones. City Council President Mark Sideris said he would like to have more discussions about those areas when the public hearing on the Watertown Square zoning continues on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. in City Hall. Another area that Sideris wanted to have discussion about is what happens when a property falls in two different zones including one of the new Watertown Square zones.
Two single family houses, a pair of condos, and a townhouse were sold this week. 63 Bradford Road #A, 3 bedroom 3 bathroom 1,222 sq. ft. Townhouse, Sold: $926,000
69 Boylston St., 3 bedroom 2 bathroom 1,699 sq. ft.
The City of Watertown is considering creating a City Logo that could be used on official documents and presentations. The logo would not replace the City Seal. This week, the City sent out a survey to residents seeking opinions of what they think of the proposed logo. Voting and comments can be made by participating in the City’s Flash Vote system. In March, the City Council saw the the logo, which were created by graphic design company Nahi.
Homebuyers have many, many options in Watertown this week. 19 Garfield St., $2,750,000, 6 bedroom 6 bathroom 6,274 sq. ft. Single Family, Open house: Sunday, Oct. 20 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
63 Bradford Road #B, $930,000, 3 bedroom 3 bathroom 1,289 sq.
Wednesday night, the City Council and Planning Board began to dig into the details of the zoning that will make the transformation of Watertown Square a reality. The zoning includes areas where City officials seek to create areas with a vibrant street front, make the area more friendly for walkers and bicyclists, promote affordable housing, and a section where multi-story residential buildings will be allowed by right to comply with the state’s MBTA Communities Law. The two boards must approve the dozens of Zoning amendments in the Watertown Square Area Plan proposed zoning so that City officials can submit them to the State by December, said Assistant City Manager Steve Magoon. Added to the zoning changes are zoning to allow Accessory Dwelling Units by right, which would allow Watertown to comply with recently approved State legislation by the February deadline. See a bigger version of the proposed zoning map by clicking here.