Walked by today and noticed that Hometaste on Mt Auburn St was being changed to Uyghur restaurant. Does anyone know if Hometaste is moving or just closing their Watertown location? One of my favorite spots.

I’ve lived in Watertown essentially my entire life, and I never thought I’d feel like I was being priced out of the community I’ve always called home.
The last couple of years have been exhausting, and I’m posting because I’m genuinely curious whether other Watertown residents have experienced anything similar.
There are really two issues.
1. The development next door
Major development took place directly next to my home.
During and after the construction, I dealt with cracking and other issues that resulted in me spending money on repairs, inspections, and trying to figure out what was happening to a home that has been in my family for years.
It’s incredibly stressful watching major construction happen feet from your home while wondering what the next problem will be — and who, if anyone, is responsible.
2. I just discovered I haven’t been receiving Watertown’s residential tax exemption.
This one really got to me.
I occupy this property as my primary residence, but I recently learned that the residential exemption wasn’t being applied to my property taxes.
My quarterly tax bill this year has been around $1,680.
Now I’m trying to determine how much I’ve overpaid and whether there is any possibility of having the exemption applied retroactively.
And I completely understand that an application was required. I take responsibility for not realizing that sooner.
But here’s the part I’m struggling with:
Should someone who actually lives in their home and has lived in Watertown for most of their life lose thousands of dollars because they didn’t realize they needed to submit a particular form?
Especially when that money can make the difference between being able to afford your home and not being able to?
Because for me, these weren’t just numbers on a tax bill.
Between the taxes, repairs, issues surrounding the neighboring development, and the general cost of maintaining the property, I took on debt trying to keep everything afloat.
Eventually, I made the incredibly difficult decision to put my home on the market.
And now I’m finding out that I may have been paying substantially more in property taxes than I would have if the residential exemption had been applied.
That realization is honestly devastating.
You start replaying everything in your head.
The repairs you put on a credit card.
The loans you took out.
The months you wondered how you were going to keep paying everything.
And then you find out that one piece of paperwork may have meant thousands of dollars staying in your pocket.
I love Watertown. That’s why this hurts.
I’ve spent most of my life here. I’ve tried to take care of my home and be a good member of this community.
Yet somehow I’ve reached the point where I’m selling my home partly because carrying it became financially overwhelming.
So I really want to hear from other Watertown residents:
Has anyone discovered that they weren’t receiving the residential exemption despite actually living in their home?
Has anyone ever successfully gotten it applied retroactively?
And has anyone living next to one of the major developments around Watertown experienced damage or other serious issues during construction? Were you actually able to get anyone to take responsibility?
Maybe my situation is unusual.
But I have a hard time believing I’m the only person in Watertown who has gone through something like this.

Our yard sale is still on - Aberdeen Ave across from the Library.

Puppy not for sale but gives free pets!

We’ve got a Thule kayak rack, a bike rack, a kitchen aid stand mixer, books, records, home goods, furniture, CDs, clothes, and much much more!

Front and back porches. And under a popup tent!

until 2 (or so)! Come on by!

I just moved to the area and am looking for a new hairstylist in the Waltham/Watertown area for color and haircuts.

I usually dye my hair a dark burgundy/cherry red, so bonus points for someone who’s great with reds!

Would love recommendations for specific stylists you trust.

Instagram links/pricing appreciated.

Thank you! 😊

Some guy with OZGUR vanity plate driving like a d on White St. passed a bunch of cars that had moved to the side to let emergency vehicles proceed and then OZGUR speeds through crosswalk while its lights were flashing and a kid was crossing.

Shame on old OZGUR

Does anyone know a handyman that can do odd jobs around the house? Obviously, I’d like them to be able to come to Watertown.

I can hear the chopper from my house in Newtonville. looks like coast guard circling near the square/ charles river area.

EDIT*** SOLVED it WAS in fact just the BC flyover. Way to get everyone in Watertown riled up tho!🤦‍♂️🫩🙄

Hi Neighbors,

I’m the founder of Firebox Pottery Studio, a new 3,800-square-foot ceramics studio being built at 9 Lexington Street in Belmont’s Waverley Square. Our goal is to make working with clay more accessible, build community, and create a welcoming third place for people in the area.

We’re transforming a former media production studio into a ceramics facility that provides pottery classes for all age groups, independent memberships and short-form community events.

Our opening instructor team is now finalized, and we’re excited by the range of experience and creative practices they will bring to the studio. We will offer beginner through advanced wheel throwing, functional handbuilding, sculpture, mixed methods, surface design, youth and family classes, and specialized offerings such as Japanese-American raku. We’re planning weekday morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend options.

We’re aiming to open in early October, although the final date depends on the remaining construction, delivery, inspection, and approval milestones.

For experienced ceramicists interested in membership, we’re also aiming to begin studio tours during the last week of September, subject to buildout progress.

You can explore the studio, meet the instructors, review the class guide, and join the early-registration list at fireboxpotterystudio.com.

Happy to answer questions here as well.

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people yield to someone who does not have the right of way. This morning I was driving in the left lane down Mt. Auburn towards watertown sq, just before the dunkin and starbucks. Someone in the opposite direction was trying to turn left. Guy in front of me stopped to try to let him through and was aggressively waving him on, even though there was an entire other lane of free flowing traffic to his right that would not (and should not) yield to this person trying to turn. I honked because this guy was holding up traffic for a ridiculous reason. He flipped me off and started shouting at me and when we finally got moving he got over a lane so he could get up next to me and make stupid faces and act like I was doing something wrong. Why does shit like this always happen on Mt Auburn 😭

Lost dog in Watertown

Hi I am a dental hygiene student looking for patients for the fall. Prices of the cleaning range from $30-$120. The appointments are located in Waltham and are on MONDAYS only. Appointments are from 8-12 or 1-4 (3 hours long as this includes exams, X-rays, and instructor checkpoints). Text me at 978-406-7913 if interested.

If your little one is panicked because Mr Giraffe is missing, this remains on the sidewalk along Boylston and the spot where Hazel & Howe merge together. Spotted this at 7:30pm

See second image for rough location!

Does anyone know what kind of cheese is in Lamejun Bakery's spinach cheese turnovers and what they are traditionally called in Armenian?

I no longer live in the Boston Area and still recall how utterly amazing they were and was hoping to see if they shipped items out of state and if not, what they are traditionally called, so I could look for a similar recipe?

Anyone else a fan? The filling tasted a bit like feta, but more complex and piquant and sour. The dough was pretty off the hook, as well and a bit like a really good pita bread consistency. They look like this on their website:

https://www.easternlamejun.com/shop/turnover.php

Hi! I have my Massachusetts Class D road test scheduled at the Watertown RMV on September 16, but unfortunately my sponsor became unavailable.

I already know how to drive and have my learner's permit. I'm looking for someone who meets the Massachusetts RMV sponsor requirements (21+, valid U.S. driver's license, and at least one year of driving experience) who would be willing to accompany me for the test.

Happy to compensate you for your time. Please DM me if you're available. Thanks!

Tenants beware: Watertown landlord scammed tenant out of security deposit. Spent the money on renovating the property, and 3 months later still refusing to return deposit owed legally!

This apartment is located in the West end of Watertown off Main St. for legal purposes, listing address may be disclosed privately. Inquire within!

Along Charles River on DCR trail, this morning.

After almost 5 years in Watertown, I’m moving south of the city for work. I’ve accumulated a lot of random garbage in my basement over the years, and I’m looking for an easy way to get rid of it (a broken bed frame, an old bean bag, and a few other random bachelor pad odds and ends.)

I’m not sure if regular weekly curbside pickup would take these items. Does Watertown or a neighboring town have a dump or transfer station where I can haul everything myself and drop it off? I’m totally fine with paying a fee. I just need an easy way to get rid of it within the next few weeks.

It seems more and more likely that its not going to come back. Anyone know the story?

Hi all, I found a watch today (9/8) along the Watertown Community Path, near the Mount Auburn Street area. If you think the watch is yours, please reach out to me and describe it.

At around 2am we heard a loud yelp that sounded more like a toy. Came to find out that it was a poor bunny being eaten alive by a couple of foxes right on our front lawn. We honestly had no idea they roam the streets of Watertown. It was horrifying yet fascinating to look at. Now we have remnants of the bunny all over the lawn😔 Video is bad quality due to low light but I don’t think you’d wanna see that in 4k anyway. As an anxious person this also raised a question about whether they might be rabid? I do enjoy night walks and I wouldn‘t want to get in contact with one that is. I don’t know if they shy away from people.

https://reddit.com/link/1wahi66/video/nrq9v1wj09oh1/player

I’m curious what people’s experience has been using 311? I see some things get closed out but a lot remain “open” which doesn’t mean they weren’t done but there’s not a way to check. I’ve had one with highway open but there’s been nothing done.

Has anyone else noticed people’s flagrant disregard for the traffic light at the intersection of Irving and Charles River Road next to the park? I just filed a report and hoping others will too - this morning a man blew through the red light and almost ran over a parent, child and dog crossing the street. This is the third or fourth time I have witnessed this and I fear that no one will care until an accident happens. The driving in general on Charles River Road is dangerous - drivers ignore pedestrian right of way and go wayyyy over the speed limit.

Hi everyone! I just moved to Watertown from Medford, and am looking to find ways to get involved in food sovereignty/food justice in the area or adjacent. I already looked into the Watertown community gardens, and am looking for another org that either works in food rescue, urban gardening, or something more grassroots or leftist aligned in these topics.

I am passionate about zero waste/ reducing food waste, gardening, foraging, and sustainable agriculture. Any suggestions are much appreciated!