Business

Citizens Bank & NECN Honoring Non-Profit Groups That Close Social Equity Gaps

By |

The following information was provided by Citizens Bank and NECN:

Citizens and NECN announced that they will be accepting applications under the bank’s Champions in Action®program from local non-profit organizations that are focused on closing Social Equity & Inclusion gaps within local communities through education, advocacy and relevant programming. The winner for the second half of 2021 will be announced in July. 

Organizations selected for inclusion in the program will receive financial, volunteer and public relations support to help further extend their reach and impact. Areas of focus for the program change twice-yearly. Eligible nonprofits typically work in collaboration with partners, neighborhood groups, schools, or other organizations to address issues related to the chosen focus area that affect local communities. The non-profit applying for the award should include specific and measurable goals for their program.

Development

School Budget to be Presented, 2 Projects at Planning Board & Police Exam

By |

An illustration of the plans for the former Mount Auburn Club at 99 Coolidge Ave. A community meeting will be held Monday about the project. One of the first steps in the making of the Watertown school budget will be presented Monday night, a community meeting will be held about the redevelopment of the Mount Auburn Club site, and the Planning Board will discuss two major projects. Watertown Public Schools administrators will present the Fiscal Year 2022 level services budget at Monday’s School Committee meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. That budget shows how much it would cost to preserve the district’s current staffing and programs, with no additions or cuts. It is typically the first major step in the school budget process.

Biotech

Former Watertown Flag Company Turned into Life Science Space

By |

A former flag factory in Watertown has been transformed into life science lab space. The former New England Flag and Banner building at 165 Dexter Ave. has been renovated and prepared for life science labs. The following information was provided by Ebbrell Architecture + Design:

Enticed by an open floor plan flooded with natural light, executives at startup Via Separations knew they found the perfect home in a former Watertown flag factory. Massachusetts-based Ebbrell Architecture + Design, a certified Woman-owned Business Enterprise, worked closely with Via Separations in rolling out a phased plan for the new headquarters, complete with a state-of-the-art wet lab that houses eight fume hoods — six benchtops and two walk-ins — as well as extensive prototyping space for the company’s revolutionary membrane filtration research.

Real Estate

Several Open Houses Around Watertown This Week

By |

Homebuyers have a variety of properties to visit in Watertown over the weekend. $899,000 – 9 Maplewood St., Multi-family Home – 2 Family – 2 Units Up/Down, 2,463 Living Area Sq. Ft., 2 Units, 10 Total Rooms, 4 Total Bedrooms, Open House: Sunday 11-12

$424,900 – 55 Pierce Road Unit 55, Condo – Townhouse, 874 Living Area Sq. Ft., 5 Room, 2 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom, Open House: Friday 4:30-6 Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$429,000 – 88 Pierce Road Unit 88, Condo – Townhouse, 874 Living Area Sq. Ft., 5 Room, 2 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$1,499,000 – 87 Summer St.

Real Estate

Six Homes in Watertown Were Sold This Week

By |

Five condominiums and a multi-family home sold this week in Watertown. $720,000 – 13 Church Hill St. Unit 13, Condo – Townhouse, 1,923 Living Area Sq. Ft. (Includes Finished Basement), 6 Room, 3 Bedroom, 2 Full & 1 Half Bathroom

$592,500 – 17 Woodleigh Unit 2, Condo – 2/3 Family, 1,709 Living Area Sq.

Business

Galen Street Biotech Development Approved by ZBA

By |

A view of the life sciences building at 66 Galen St. approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals. This view is from Galen Street. The following piece was provided Boston Development Group:

Following months of planning discussions and community meetings, Boston Development Group (BDG) has received approval from the Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)  Thursday for a proposed life sciences development at 66 Galen Street in Watertown, Massachusetts. Boston Development Group (BDG), a multifaceted investment management and real estate development firm, plans to build a major life science campus comprised of two phases totaling nearly 450,000 SF of Class A Office/ R&D LAB.

Business

Athenahealth to Pay $18.25 Million for Taking Kickbacks

By |

The following release was provided by the U.S. Department of Justice:

A national electronic health records (EHR) technology vendor based in Watertown, Massachusetts, athenahealth Inc. (Athena), has agreed to pay $18.25 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by paying unlawful kickbacks to generate sales of its EHR product, athenaClinicals, the Justice Department announced today. In a complaint filed in conjunction with today’s settlement, the United States alleged that Athena violated the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute through three marketing programs. First, Athena invited prospective and existing customers to “Concierge Events,” providing free tickets to and amenities at sporting, entertainment, and recreational events, including trips to the Masters Tournament and the Kentucky Derby with complimentary travel and luxury accommodations, meals, and alcohol. Second, Athena paid kickbacks to its existing customers under a “Lead Generation” program designed to identify and refer new prospective clients to Athena. Under this program, Athena paid up to $3,000 to existing customers for each new client that signed up for Athena services, regardless of how much time, if any, the existing customer spent speaking to or meeting with the new client. Finally, Athena entered into deals with competing vendors that were discontinuing their EHR technology offerings to refer their clients to Athena.