Charity

3 Watertown Non-Profits Receive Grants from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation

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The following information was provided by theHarvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation:

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation has announced that three Watertown non-profit organizations were awarded a total of $1,500 from the Foundation’s Community Spirit 9/11 Mini-Grant program. The organizations receiving funds are:
Asperger/Autism Network ($500)
Relay for Life Watertown ($500)
Saint Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School ($500)
To commemorate those Harvard Pilgrim members who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, Harvard Pilgrim and the Foundation created the Community Spirit 9/11 Mini-Grant program. This program allows each Harvard Pilgrim employee to award a $500 grant, completely funded by the Foundation, to the local charity of his or her choice each calendar year. Since this community grants program began in 2002, Harvard Pilgrim employees have directed more than $5.7 million to thousands of organizations throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

Elections

LETTER: Watertown Republicans Endorse Jay McMahon for Attorney General

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The Watertown Republican Town Committee has proudly and unanimously voted to endorse Attorney James “Jay” McMahon III who running in the Republican Primary to be the next Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.McMahon, a Buzzards Bay resident, has practiced law in the Massachusetts for 30 years. During this period he has litigated cases in every court in the Commonwealth, in Federal Courts, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court. His experience includes Civil, Criminal, Domestic, and Bankruptcy. McMahon
further has an extensive background in business management and law enforcement. In addition he served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard as a 2nd Lieutenant (Military Police).

Government

Council Changes Direction on Community Preservation Committee, Town Manager will Make Appointments

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Tuesday night, after a long and contentious debate, a majority of the Town Council voted to approve a compromise that would give the Town Manager power to appoint member of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) with those selected needing to be confirmed by the Council. The decision went away from the subcommittee recommendation to have members appointed by the Council. The approved ordinance, which was brought forward by Town Council President Mark Sideris, also provides specific direction to the Town Manager for what qualities to look for in the appointees. Since the Community Preservation Act (CPA) passed in 2016, the focus has been on how to appoint the four at-large members of the Committee, which is charged to come up with ideas and recommendations for how to use funds from the tax surcharge. The money can be spent on affordable housing, open space and recreation, and historic preservation.

Police/Fire

Man Exposes Himself to Woman on Main Street in Watertown

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Watertown Police warn the public that a man exposed himself to a woman passing on the street on a recent evening. 

On June 20 at 9 p.m. Police received a report from a woman who said a man had just exposed his genitals in the area of Main Street at Cross Street, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “She was not sure if he exposed himself directly at her,” O’Connor said. “The suspect did not say anything and fled toward Pleasant Street, in the direction of the Charles River.” Police from Watertown and Newton searched along both sides of the Charles River, but could not locate the suspect. The witness described the suspect as being a young white male with shaggy hair who wore a red T-shirt and grey sweat pants.

Business

Tufts Health Plan Employees Traveled Across New England for 10th Annual Volunteer Day

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Tufts Health Plan employees are traveling across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island on June 19, 2018, during the company’s tenth annual Volunteer Day, to serve local nonprofits in projects ranging from food preparation to yard work. “Our employees are extraordinary, and they demonstrate their commitment to our community and our members each and every day,” said Tom Croswell, Tufts Health Plan president and CEO. “Seeing more than 750 employees giving back reflects our values and makes me proud. I am thankful for each and every employee who is out in the community today.” Now in its tenth year, Volunteer Day builds on the work Tufts Health Plan does throughout the year.

Obituaries

OBIT: Walter Oates Jr., 93, WWII Naval Aviator, Auditor, Lifelong Watertown Resident

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Walter J. Oates, Jr. of Watertown died on June 25, 2018 at age 93. Beloved husband of 65 years to the late Virginia M. (Dunn). Walter was the loving father of Walter J., III, & his wife Carolyn of Waltham, William G. & his wife Marion of Watertown and Mary T. “Terry” Poillucci & her husband Robert of Waltham. Proud and cherished Grampy of Caitlin Oates & her husband Jeffrey Smrecek of Watertown, Timothy Oates of Brighton, Robert & Christina Poillucci of Waltham. Dear brother of the late Donald F. Oates and Dorothy Everett.

Government

Watertown’s Noise Ordinance Needs More Work Before Subcommittees Will Approve

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Two Town Council subcommittees looked at proposed changes to the Town’s Noise Ordinance Monday night, but little progress was made, and the Councilors agreed more work needed to be done. The committees on Rules & Ordinances and Human Services had met at least three times, dating back to 2017, before Monday. They took up the issue after receiving a variety of complaints about noise in Town. Some came from residents upset by lawn and garden work being done early on weekends, others about amplified music at church services or from Town parks. Others worry about the noise from all the construction occurring around town.

Michael Lahiff

Retiring Watertown High Athletic Director Helped Build a Successful Program

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After 11 years, Michael Lahiff will be stepping down as Athletic Director at Watertown High School at the end of June. During that time, he helped bring WHS back into a championship winning program, with athletes who are both competitive and show good sportsmanship, and with many teams lead by teacher-coaches. Lahiff retires after 39 years in education in Stoneham, Somerville and Watertown. He spent the last 24 years as athletic director, first in Stoneham and then at WHS. “I was on the other end of the world for most of the rest of my career, Somerville and Stoneham twice,” Lahiff said.