Around Town

Watertown Square Zoning Changes Seek to Make More Vibrant, Bike/Pedestrian Friendly Area & Meets State Housing Requirements

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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.

Around Town

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

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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.

Around Town

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

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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.

Sports

Watertown Field Hockey Coach Named MIAA Coach of the Year

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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.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Officer Saves Woman from Burning House

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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.

Government

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

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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.

Around Town

UPDATED: City Taking Applications for Rental Assistance & Other Expenses

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(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.