New Life Added to Nearly-Century Old Two-Family Home in Watertown

The two-family home at 21-23 Springfield St. has been renovated by a pair of developers. (Contributed Photo)

A two-family home on Springfield Street has undergone a major transformation that preserved the bones and most of the structure, while creating a pair of modern living spaces. The home at 21-23 Springfield St. was built in 1927 and recently completed a major renovation and expansion.

Watertown Fire Department’s Busy Week Included Battling Blazes in a Home & on a Boat

Watertown Firefighters put out a fire on a boat at the Newton Yacht Club on Oct. 10. (Courtesy of Watertown Fire Department)

The Watertown Fire Department had a very busy few days: helping to save a woman from a burning house, putting out a boat blaze, responding to a flipped vehicle, as well as welcoming the public at an Open House. Boat Fire

On Thursday, Watertown Firefighters put out a fire on a boat on the Charles River, said Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. The original report was for a fire at the Watertown Yacht Club.

Watertown Field Hockey Coach Named MIAA Coach of the Year

Watertown Head Field Hockey Coach Eileen Donahue celebrates the 2023 State Championship with Raiders captains, from left, junior Adrianna Williams, senior Molly Driscoll, and senior Aislin Devaney. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Longtime Watertown Field Hockey Coach Eileen Donahue will collect another honor in December when she receives the 2023-24 MIAA Coach of the Year Award. Last season, the Raiders went undefeated and won their third straight State Championship. Watertown capped the season with a 4-3 win over Newburyport in the State Final. The team is undefeated this season, and has amassed a winning streak of 88 games.

Watertown Police Officer Saves Woman from Burning House

Watertown Police Officer Michael Grzelcyk

The Watertown Police Department posted the following announcement on its Facebook page. Friday, October 11, 2024, Officer Michael Grzelcyk demonstrated extraordinary bravery during a working house fire on Winsor Ave. Upon arrival, he learned that a second-floor tenant, an elderly woman, was still inside. With Watertown Fire en route, Officer Grzelcyk entered the burning building alone, facing intense smoke and flames. Despite zero visibility, he made verbal contact with trapped woman.

City Won’t Need a Redevelopment Authority to Transform Parking Lots in Watertown Square

The area of the Watertown Square Municipal Parking Lot, shown in grey and the adjacent yellow buildings, can be redeveloped under the powers given to the City Council in 1987. The graphic is from the Watertown Square Area Plan meetings. Watertown will be able to redevelop the municipal parking lot in Watertown Square without creating a Redevelopment Agency, City Manager George Proakis told the City Council this week. On Tuesday, Proakis confirmed that the City Council has been given the powers of a Redevelopment Agency (sometimes called Authority) through a special act of the Legislature. He first brought up the potential at a meeting of the Economic Development and Planning Committee on Sept.

UPDATED: City Taking Applications for Rental Assistance & Other Expenses

(UPDATE: All of the funds have been awarded, and no more applications will be accepted)

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown is pleased to announce that a COVID-19 Direct Assistance Program is now accepting applications. This program, which includes rental assistance and other common household expenses (PDF), is aimed at helping those who still face challenges in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is funded through the City of Watertown’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and is administered by Metro West Collaborative Development for the City. The Direct Assistance Program (DAP) is available to households with income at or below 60% of the Area Median Income for the greater Boston area. The income limit for a single individual is $68,520, for a two-person household is $78,360 and for a three-person

household is $88,140.

City Will Not Impose Fines for Not Clearing Snow in 2024-25 Season

Watertown residents will have another year to get used to the new snow and ice removal requirements. City Manager George Proakis recommended only issuing warnings for properties not clearing snow and ice from the sidewalk within 24 hours of the end of a snow storm. This will allow the City to inform residents with the education program about how the fines will work. The City Council approved the new Snow Ordinance in January 2024. “Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, we were unable to realize the benefits of the program.

Naming of New WHS Gym & Auditorium Put on Hold, List of Nominations Released

Ai3 ArchitectsA rendering of the designs for the new Watertown High School viewed from Columbia Street. The School Committee voted to take more time to make the decision about after whom the gymnasium and auditorium at the new Watertown High School should be named, and will come up with criteria to judge the nominations submitted by the public. The original timeline called for having nominations in by Oct. 7 and the final vote on Oct. 21.