National Weather Service

Strong Thunderstorm Hits Watertown, Concert Moved Inside

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A thunderstorm rolled through Watertown on Wednesday, causing some damage. A powerful thunderstorm blew through Watertown Wednesday afternoon, damaging some trees and moving the Watertown Summer Concert inside. The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9 p.m. on Wednesday. The storm hit Watertown shortly after 3:30 p.m.

A tree branch on Westside’s Brandley Road reportedly fell on utility poll during the storm on Brantley Road. Firefighters found live electrical wires on the street, and called for an Eversource crew to come repair it.

Schools

Several Architecture Firms Interested in Designing Watertown High School Project

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The search for the architecture firm that will design the new Watertown High School has begun, but they decision will not be completely up to local officials. The project to rebuild or renovate WHS will be part of the Massachusetts School Building Authority process. Through the program, the town will receive significant reimbursement from the state (close to 50 percent) but the MSBA process is a very prescribed one. Watertown has been accepted into the program and the next step is to select the firm for design services. The selection will be made by the MSBA’s Design Panel, which is made up of 16 people.

Police/Fire

Watertown Cadets Graduate from Sheriff’s Youth Public Safety Academy

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Watertown residents recently completed the the MIddlesex Sheriff’s Office’s Youth Public Safety Academy. The following announcement was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian congratulated over 150 graduates of the Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) from Acton, Belmont, Marlborough, Maynard and Watertown during a ceremony at Chelmsford High School on Friday, July 19, 2019. It was the second of six such graduations planned for this summer. For six weeks each summer, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) offers youngsters ages 8-12 from Middlesex County communities the opportunity to participate in educational and confidence-building activities alongside members of the MSO as well as their local police and fire departments. YPSA staff incorporate multiple learning styles to teach personal safety and teamwork while building relationships between youth and public safety officials. Cadets from Watertown graduated from the MIddlesex Sheriff’s Office’s Youth Public Safety Academy.

Around Town

Find Out About Getting a Free Blood Pressure Screening

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:

Every first Friday of the month, the Watertown Mall hosts a free blood pressure screening from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. For this upcoming month, this will happen on August 2, 2019. The screenings are sponsored by the Watertown Health Department. Screenings take place in the back hallway of the mall, near Target & Carter’s. About the Watertown Mall:

The Watertown Mall is wheelchair accessible and accessible by MBTA Bus routes 70 and 70A.

Around Town

Watertown Farmers Market Features New Vendors, Entertainment

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The Watertown Farmers Market will have a couple of new vendors this week, and entertainment for shoppers. The Watertown Farmers’ Market is held Wednesdays 2:30-6:30 p.m.(Closing at 6:00 p.m. in October) from June 12-Oct. 9. Saltonstall Park (Corner of Main St. & Whites Ave. next to Town Hall, 149 Main Street).

Around Town

Watertown for All Ages Non-Profit Group Launches Website

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The following information was provided by Watertown for All Ages:

A website to connect people interested in improving life for Watertown residents of all ages and abilities was launched this week by Watertown for All Ages (WAA), a grassroots non-profit organization. “We hope people will visit www.watertownforallages.org to learn more about our group, find resources of interest to older people in Watertown, and sign up to receive occasional email updates about our work,” said Bob Shay, WAA’s President. Watertown for All Ages is part of an international movement, supported in the U.S. by the AARP, whose aim is to increase the livability of cities and enhance the quality of life for people of all ages. One of the long-term goals of Watertown for All Ages is to help the town achieve recognition as a member of the AARP Age-Friendly Communities Network. Details about the “age-friendly” movement are available on the WAA website.

Elections

Crowded Field of Candidates for Town Council At-Large Seats

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Watertown voters will have one big race to follow in this fall’s Town Election, Meanwhile, the other elected posts have uncontested races, but there will be some new faces. Seven candidates are running for the four Councilor at-large seats on the Town Council. There will not be need for a preliminary election in September. Three incumbents will be running in the Councilor at-large race: Tony Palomba, Caroline Bays and Anthony Donato. The fourth seat was vacated by Michael Dattoli when he moved out of town, and his term was filled by former-Councilor Susan Falkoff.

Arrests

Police Log: Pair Busted With Open Beers in Car, Man Tries to Shoplift Bike

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

July 21, An officer on Arsenal Street spotted a vehicle accelerate quickly and cause excessive noise due to a suspected altered exhaust system. When the officer followed, the vehicle sped up and was clocked going 42 mph in a 30 mph zone. The vehicle was pulled over and when speaking to the driver and passenger, the officer spotted a case of Heineken beer, but both people in the car were 20-years-old. While checking the records of the occupants, Police found that the passenger had a warrant for his arrest.