Elections

LETTER: Resident Joins Race for Watertown Library Trustee

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I recently pulled papers to run for the office of Watertown Free Public Library Trustee in the November 2019 election. In the coming weeks and months, I will be canvassing around town, initially gathering enough signatures to appear on the ballot, and getting to know voters and their thoughts about the future of the Watertown Public Library. First, I would like to introduce myself here to my fellow Watertown residents, and explain why I am running for Library Trustee. I am a lifelong Watertown resident. I grew up in the Irving Park neighborhood near Perkins School for The Blind in the 80s and 90s and about 13 years ago moved to the west side of town where I co-purchased a home with my sister.

Around Town

Middlesex Sheriff Receives Money to Expand Youth Public Safety Academy

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The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian today announced the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) has been awarded nearly $3,700 from Attorney General Maura Healey’s Healthy Summer Youth Jobs Grant Program to help support the MSO’s 20th Annual Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA). “We are grateful to Attorney General Healey for providing this funding which allows us to hire an additional counselor and expand the number of cadets we are able to accept into this year’s YPSA,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “Not only does this grant provide an opportunity for more cadets to participate in this program, but also for a young adult to work in an environment where they can mentor younger neighbors.”

YPSA is a series of six, one-week long camps designed for children ages 8-12 who live in Middlesex County. Cadets spend the week with MSO staff as well as police officers and firefighters from their hometown, forming important bonds with their local law enforcement officials. Cadets also participate in classroom and practical activities designed to teach them important public safety skills including a simulated fire safety trailer offered by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, a challenge course held at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Billerica, and demonstrations offered by the MSO and partner agencies. “Our summer jobs program provides young people across the state with an opportunity to challenge themselves and make a difference in their own community,” AG Healey said.

Police Log

Police Log: Stolen Minivan Found in Town, Man Caught Trying to Scheme Home Depot

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

July 1, 1:16 a.m.: An officer in Watertown Square saw a man who appeared to be sleeping in the ATM vestibule at Santander Bank in Watertown Square. The officer woke the man and spoke to him. It was discovered that the man had a warrant for his arrest. The 61-year-old homeless man was arrested on the default warrant from Waltham District court for failure to pay court fines and costs.

Real Estate

7 Watertown Homes Sold, Including a $1 Million Tudor

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See the seven Watertown homes which were sold this week. $730,000 – 133 Dexter Ave. Unit 133, 7 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse

$897,000 – 90-92 Lowell Ave., 2 unit, 10 total room, 4 total bedroom, 2 Family multi-family home

$430,000 – 32 Whites Ave. Unit D48, 4 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, Mid-Rise condo/townhouse

Sponsored by:

$682,750 – 83 Fayette St., 7 room, 3 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom, Contemporary single-family home

$682,750 – 83 Fayette St. Unit 83, 7 room, 3 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

$1,037,500 – 99 Bailey Road, 14 room, 6 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom, Tudor single-family home

$787,500 – 63 Bradford Road, 2 unit, 12 total room, 4 total bedroom, 2 Family – 2 Units Up/Down multi-family home

Environment

OP-ED: MBTA Behind on Climate Change Adaptation

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

The following piece was provided by State Sen. Will Brownsberger of Belmont who also represents Watertown and parts of Boston:

At a recent MBTA board meeting, it became alarmingly clear that the MBTA is behind in its planning for climate resiliency.  Add that challenge to the challenges of catching up on maintenance, assuring safety, and expanding service. Andrew Brennan, Senior Director for Energy and Environment, explained to the board that the MBTA completed a “high-level” vulnerability assessment of the system in 2017.  His presentation materials are here and his talk begins at 2:55 in this livestream of the June 10 board meeting. The 2017 high level assessment revealed the obvious: Namely, that the most exposed asset is the Blue Line and that the greatest risk to the Blue line comes from flooding due to sea level rise. Only months after the assessment, the winter high tide of 2018 flooded Aquarium station. As to the lowest lying assets on the Blue line (Aquarium station and the Orient Heights Maintenance Facility), more detailed engineering studies have been completed to identify just how they would be flooded and what can be done to protect them: for example, raising openings like vent shafts and raising the most water sensitive components like transformers.

Entertainment

Small Saves Cartoon: Summertime

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James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning, Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal–then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Around Town

Watertown Honors Fallen Marine by Dedicating Square Near his Childhood Home

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The sign proclaiming the intersection of Emerson Road and Main Street a memorial to Pvt. Paul Gorman, who was killed in Vietnam 1968, was unveiled Friday by Veterans Services Officer Patrick George. Gorman’s sister and brother, Bonnie and Bob, had a front row seat. Around 100 people gathered on a quiet side street off Main Street Friday afternoon to pay respects to one of Watertown’s own who was killed while serving with the Marines in Vietnam in 1968. The Town of Watertown officially dedicated the corner of Emerson Road and Main Street as Private Paul James Gorman Memorial Square on Friday morning.

Entertainment

Two Nights of Puppet Theater at Watertown’s Plumbing Museum

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The Plumbing Museum will be hosting two evenings of puppet theater featuring several performers. The shows features five premier performances with original costumes and music. The scripts were written acted and directed by Massachusetts playwrights and puppeteers. Featured performers are: Rosalita the puppet, Behind The Mask Studio & Theatre, Driscoll Productions, John Minigan, and Patti Cassidy. The shows will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13 at The Plumbing Museum 80 Rosedale Road in Watertown.