Schools

Master Plan Answers Some Questions on Rebuilding Schools, Creates More

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The School Master Plan presented to a joint meeting of the School Committee and the Town Council provided some insight into Watertown’s schools, but opened many more questions. 

The Master Plan incorporated the work of the Master Plan Steering Committee, which included parents, staff and elected officials, as well as, input from three community meetings and interviews with school staff and administrators, said School Committee Chairman John Portz.  

Representatives from SMMA, the firm hired to create the master plan, included cost estimates for three different options for improving the schools. Option 1 would be bringing the schools into good working conditions, but would not make major changes to the current configurations. Option 2 would renovate the schools and would make some changes inside so the buildings can handle 21st Century education, with more group and project learning and flexible spaces. Option 3 would be to build brand new buildings.

Obituaries

OBIT: Dorothy Paulino, 93, Born in Canada, Moved to Watertown

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A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. in the MacDonald, Rockwell & MacDonald Funeral Home, Watertown for Dorothy E. (Jenkins) Paulino. Mrs. Paulino, a daughter of the late Silas & Elizabeth (Noel) Jenkins, passed away in her home on Monday morning, after a long period of declining health. She was 93. Dorothy was born and grew up in Newfoundland, Canada. She served in the Canadian Army.

All-Scholastic

Boston Herald Honors Three Watertown Field Hockey Players

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The Watertown High School field hockey team grabbed three spots on the 2016 Boston Herald’s All-Scholastic team. 

Watertown senior Kourtney Kennedy and her sister Jonna, a junior, made Herald team, along with junior Sydney Poulin. The Kennedy sisters also made the Boston Globe’s All-Scholastic team. Kourtney will graduate with four state titles and no loses during her four years as a Raider. She scored the game winner in this year’s State Final against Oakmont. Next year she will play at UConn.

Transportation

Holiday Travel Tips: Don’t Wrap Gifts if Flying, Free Coffee for Drivers and More

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) encourages travelers to plan ahead this holiday season, utilize MassDOT’s many travel tools and resources and take public transportation if possible. “We want everyone to reach their travel destinations safely and enjoy this holiday with their friends and loved ones,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “Drivers should minimize distractions, stay sober and have a designated driver, and the MBTA will offer free service on all modes of transportation after 8 p.m., New Year’s Eve, to encourage travelers to make smart choices when celebrating.”

“We encourage travelers to monitor weather conditions, use our technology tools such as mass511 and our web-based real-time information, and make informed decisions to ensure they safely reach their holiday destinations,” said Highway Administrator Thomas J. Tinlin. “In case of inclement weather, our snow and ice crews will be prepared to respond and drivers should remain at least 200 feet back from snowplows and road equipment at all times to ensure safe travel.”

For traffic and road conditions, drivers may use the following options to make decisions:

Travelers, before getting on the highway, may utilize the MassDOT Real-Time Traffic (“Go-Time”) informational displays by visiting this link: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/TrafficTravelResources/TrafficInformationMap.aspx
The public may dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions on I-90 and other roads. Visit www.mass511.com, a website which provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information, and allows users to subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions.

Boston Marathon Bombing

REVIEW: ‘Patriots Day’ Movie an Emotional, at Times, Rough Ride

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Like anyone who lived in Watertown during the Boston Marathon Bombings and the aftermath, there was no surprise in how the “Patriots Day” movie turns out, but what was unexpected was the feeling I had leaving the theater with the feelings of April 2013 stirred up by the movie. The film starring Mark Wahlberg chronicles the events of the bombing, the search for the suspects, and the shootout and manhunt in Watertown. It hits theaters in the Boston area Wednesday, Dec. 21, and will play nationwide in January. Director Peter Berg and the makers of Patriots Day said at a press conference last week that they focused on getting the movie right, and making it realistic.

Development

LETTER: Town Councilor Worries Mall Will Change Character of East End

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Dear Chairman Hawes and Members of the Planning Board,

To put this quite simply, Watertown has not seen a development of this magnitude in recent history; a city within a city with amenities galore for its prospective residents. The urban sprawl associated with this development will change the character of the East End of Watertown and community-at-large for generations to come. Due to a prior commitment, I will be unable to attend the Planning Board Hearing on Dec. 14, 2016, rescheduled from Nov. 29, 2016.  For numerous months, many residents and I have been sharing our thoughts, comments and many concerns at neighborhood meetings and at the Special Planning Board Hearing on Oct.

Around Town

Tufts Health Plan Awards More than $1 Million in Grants

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The Tufts Health Plan Foundation announced new community investments of more than $1.1 million in the area of policy and advocacy. These grants reflect the Foundation’s commitment to advancing age-friendly policies and practices that are relevant, focus on older adults, and include them in community solutions. The Foundation is also providing year-two support for an additional seven multi-year initiatives. In 2016, the Foundation invested more than $2.9 million in community. “The momentum is building around age-friendly communities, and we are excited to partner with state and local leaders in their work to consider and include older adults,” said Nora Moreno Cargie, vice president, corporate citizenship for Tufts Health Plan and president of its Foundation.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Attacked After Following Car Home, Driver Busted on OUI

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
Dec. 17, 1:23 a.m.: An officer patrolling in Watertown Square spotted a vehicle in the left turn lane on Main Street go straight when the left arrow was green by the light for straight was red. The officer followed and saw the vehicle weave over the center line multiple times. The officer pulled over the driver on Arsenal Street and observed signs of intoxication.