Government

Council Raises Water, Sewer Rates & Asks Questions

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Watertown’s water and sewer rates will be rising after the Town Council approved the new rates, but they also had questions about how the rates increased as the amount of water used dropped. The new rates will include a 2.5 percent increase for water rates and 4.9 percent for sewer rates, for a combined increase of 4 percent. The average customer would pay an extra $13.42 per quarter, or 15 cents a day. See more details about the rates by clicking here. The Council heard a presentation at the end of May about the proposed rates, and the rates that were adopted were identical to the recommendations from the town’s water and sewer consultant.

Armed Robbery

Armed Man Robs Watertown Hair Salon With Customers Inside

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Watertown Police seek a man who held up a hair salon Wednesday evening with what turned out to be a gun that shoots blanks. Shortly after 7 p.m., a man wearing a mask came into a busy Behind the Hair salon on Main Street and robbed it with what appeared to be a gun, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor

“He fired a round and we were able to recover a casing,” O’Connor said. “It was determined it is in fact a starter pistol round.” The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money, and then left the store from the back. He is believed to have fled on a bicycle heading east toward Watertown Square.

Around Town

Historical Society Marking the Signing of the First U.S. Treaty, Hosting Art Exhibit

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Members of the United Native American Cultural Center in Devens play a traditional Native American song as part of the celebration of the signing of the Treaty of Watertown and the first reading of the Declaration of Independence at Watertown’s Edmund Fowle House. Two historic events from the early days of this nation will be celebrated by the Historical Society of Watertown. The group is also hosting an art exhibit featuring the work of a local artist. On Saturday, July 20, the Historical Society will recreate the signing of the first treaty signed by a fledgling United States, along with the first reading of the Declaration of Independence. Both events took place in Watertown.

Around Town

Council Approves Funds to Design Victory Field Track Improvements

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An overhead view of the planned renovation of the courts and track area at Victory Field. The renovation of the track and courts area at Victory Field took a major step forward Tuesday night when the Town Council approved funds to start the final designs. The Council unanimously approved spending $284,500 to allow the Victory Field Phase II project to proceed. The first phase was the renovation of the football and baseball areas at the sports complex on Orchard Street. The plan includes installing a new natural grass field in the center of the oval, and a new rubber track and subsurface, said Glenn Howard, project architect from CDM Smith.

Sports

BC Hockey Coach & Watertown Native Jerry York Named to Hockey Hall of Fame

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Boston College hockey coach Jerry York. Boston College hockey coach Jerry York of Watertown got the call of a lifetime on Tuesday when he learned he will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. York, who grew up and still resides in Watertown, said he almost did not answer the call from New York Rangers President John Davidson telling him the news, according to a TSN Canada report. “I thought John Davidson was trying to trade for one of my players,” York told TSN. “When he told me I was going to be inducted, I had to sit down.”

Entertainment

Watertown Artist Teaching Series of Drawing Classes

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The following information was provided by First Baptist Church of Belmont:

Artist Audrey Childs is teaching a beginner’s drawing class where students will learn to draw what you see versus what you think you see. Does your drawing look like your subject? Do you usually draw stick trees and figures? Are you happy with the layout you prepped for coloring with any medium? Classes will include exercises to train hand and eye coordination that will aid in capturing an improved drawing of your subject.

Building for the Future

Energy Efficiency, Sustainability Goals for Watertown’s New Schools

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A rendering of what the new Hosmer Elementary School could look like. The School Building Committee affirmed its commitment to making Watertown’s new elementary schools energy efficient and built in sustainable ways. The committee that is overseeing the school projects at Hosmer, Cunniff and Lowell elementary schools voted unanimously on June 19 to approve sustainability goals for the project. Architect Scott Dunlap from Ai3 also discussed some details of the design and ways they can be efficient and sustainable. The Sustainability Subcommittee of the School Building Committee presented the proposed goal, which called for striving for Net Zero buildings and to reach LEED Gold standards for the sustainability of the projects at the two new school buildings (Cunniff and Hosmer), while efforts would be made to make the Lowell energy efficient and sustainable.

Entertainment

Watertown Summer Concert Series Begins Wednesday

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The Stacey Peasley Band performs at the first Watertown Summer Concert on June 26. The first Watertown Summer Concert will be held on Wednesday, June 26 with a band that will appeal to the whole family. The Stacey Peasley Band kicks off the 2019 series, which will now be held on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Saltonstall Park (next to Town Hall). Children and adults alike will want to dance, clap and sing to the Peasley Band. Stacey’s joyful and inventive songs, catchy melodies and energetic beats will lift your spirits!