Government

DA Asked to Help Get Answers about Fire Negotiations; Nurses Lend Support

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Former Town Councilor and current Governor’s Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney has appealed to the Middlesex District Attorney for answers about the cost of negotiations on the Watertown Firefighters’ contract. The Watertown Firefighters continue to push for approval of their contract after more than 5 1/2 years and following the Town Council’s rejection of a state arbitration agreement in December. The negotiation teams have met since the vote, but little ground has been made toward settling the contract according to those familiar with the negotiations. All but one Town Councilor voted to reject the agreement, stating that the agreement would be unfair to the town’s other unions because it included increases that they did not receive during difficult budget years. Petitto Devaney told the Town Council last week that she has written a letter to Middlesex DA Marian Ryan seeking help to get answers from town officials.

Development

Residents Invited to Hear About Complex Planned for Irving, Arsenal Streets

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See the design of the apartment complex at the corner of Irving and Arsenal streets known as Elan that will be submitted to the Planning Board by Greystar. The project that will go on the former Pirolli brick yard has been following the recommendations of the Watertown design standards and design guidelines, and will include around 270 apartments along with space for stores and a restaurant. The meeting will be held Monday, March 9 from 6-8 p.m. at the Apartments at Coolidge School, 319 Arlington St. in Watertown. Developers Greystar Real Estate Partners and Oaktree FX have periodically met with residents to show designs and get feedback.

Charity

Watertown Middle School Kicks Off Pennies for Patients Drive

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Last year, Watertown Middle School students collected more than $30,000 in donations to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and they hope to beat it in this year’s Pennies for Patients drive, which begins March 2. The middle school sent out the following announcement about their drive:

This year, the Watertown Middle School will again be participating in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s School & Youth Program, Pennies for Patients — a three-week coin, cash, and check drive to raise funds to find cures for blood cancers. Our drive will run from March 2 through March 23. As you may know, leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20. Mr. Johnson, our physical education teacher, is a lymphoma survivor.

Sports

Watertown/Belmont Girls Hockey Skates Into State Quarterfinals

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Goals by senior captain Erin McLaughlin and sophomore Aurora Fidler provided the margin of victory as the Watertown/Belmont combined high schools girls’ ice hockey team skated by a resilient Andover High School (19-3-1) squad in a first round match in the Division 1 state championship tournament at Watertown’s Ryan Arena on Saturday. “It was a very exciting game. Maybe too exciting. But we got one under our belts,” said Watertown/Belmont Head Coach Steve Russo to the Belmontonian as his 4th-ranked team advances to the MIAA Div. 1 quarterfinals where it will meet fifth-seed Austin Prep of Reading.

Entertainment

See When You Can Catch the Watertown High School Musical

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Watertown High School will present The Pajama Game this month. 

The musical will hit the Shaw Auditorium Stage on March 19, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. each night. The book is by George Abbott and Richard Bissell with music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. It is based on the novel “7 1/2 Cents” by Richard Bissell. The play is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.