Government

Watertown’s IT Department Receives Grants from Mass. Community Compact

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The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

The Watertown Technology Department is proud to announce the award of $457,965 in Massachusetts Community Compact Grants in Fiscal Year 2023. The Community Compact Cabinet was established by the Baker-Polito Administration in January 2015 as one of its first actions after taking office, with the goal of strengthening the state’s partnership with cities and towns and to allow the Administration to work more closely with municipal leaders. Led by Lt. Governor Polito, the Cabinet champions municipal interests across all executive secretariats and agencies, and develops, in consultation with cities and towns, mutual standards and best practices for both the state and municipalities. Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates Community Compact Programs and Announces $7 Million in Fiscal Year 2023 Grants | Mass.gov

Watertown is grateful for the opportunity to participate in this amazing program and excited to complete the projects funded for FY 2023. The Watertown Technology Department received awards in three categories:

•    Best Practices

•    Information Technology

•    Municipal Fiber

The Best Practices program is based on voluntary, mutual Community Compact agreements that individual cities and towns have entered into with the Commonwealth.

Police/Fire

Watertown Firefighter Graduates from State Fire Academy

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Watertown Fire DepartmentWatertown Firefighter James O’Connell, center, graduated from the State Fire Academy. He is pictured with Watertown Provisional Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson, left, and State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. The Watertown Fire Department announced the graduation of Firefighter James O’Connell from the Massachusetts Fire Academy on Jan. 9. The Fire Department announcement said: “Please join us in congratulating Firefighter O’Connell on his graduation from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy today in Stow, MA.

Around Town

Grant Will Allow Wayside to Enhance Internship Program

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The following information was provided by the Wayside Youth and Family Support Network:

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Human Health Services (EOHHS) has awarded Wayside Youth and Family Support Network with a grant award of $580,500 under the Home and Community Based Services (HBCS) and Human Services Workforce Development Grant Program. This grant funds increasing stipends for master level interns during their internship and the costs associated with these recruitment efforts for two years. Wayside, like many human service agencies, looks to enhance our workforce as the demand for our services continues to outpace our ability to recruit and hire top talent employees, especially those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC). The demand for youth and young adult mental health services has dramatically increased due to the COVID-19 global health pandemic. Wayside continues to rapidly expand its services and geographic catchment areas.

Schools

Construction Underway at Temporary High School Site at Moxley Field

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Public Schools, and was part of the Superintendent’s Update:

Construction activity is picking up at Moxley Field, the temporary Watertown High School site beginning next school year. Crews are preparing the property for the installation of the modular buildings, which is expected to begin in January. The new modular high school will house the entire Watertown High School population while the new school building is under construction. Construction is taking place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Deliveries to the site will not be permitted during Middle School morning dropoff and afternoon pickup to minimize disruption in the neighborhood. You can watch the most recent community forum on the Moxley construction efforts here and view a detailed presentation on the project timeline below.

Entertainment

The Huntington’s Latest Play Features 3 Watertown Residents

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The latest production at The Huntington, The Art of Burning, features three Watertown residents: actor Adrianne Krstansky, who plays Patricia; actor Sarah Newhouse, understudying Patricia and Charlene; and fight director Ted Hewlett. See The Huntington’s announcement for the play below:

The Huntington announces the world premiere of The Art of Burning, a new play from acclaimed Boston playwright Kate Snodgrass and directed by Melia Bensussen, in association with Hartford Stage. The production runs from January 13 – February 12, 2023 at The Huntington’s Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA with digital access to the filmed performance available until February 26, 2023. Snodgrass’ new play marks her debut at The Huntington and follows modernist painter Patricia as she changes the terms of her divorce with husband Jason mid-negotiation. Meanwhile, their daughter Beth didn’t show up for school.

Government

Watertown’s First Deputy City Manager Has Experience in Medford, Somerville

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Emily Monea

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City Manager George J. Proakis is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Emily Monea as Watertown’s new Deputy City Manager. Ms. Monea has most recently served as Acting Chief of Staff to Mayor Luengo-Koehn for the City of Medford, supporting the Mayor in daily leadership and management of the City, focusing on HR modernization, recruiting, complex employee matters, and labor relations. Prior to that she was the Chief of Staff to Mayor Curtatone for the City of Somerville and later became the Transitional Director of the Mayorʼs Office of Innovation and Analytics (SomerStat) supporting the transition of Mayor Ballantyne into office. While serving as the chief administrative officer for a city employing over 1,000 employees and serving over 80,000 residents in four square miles, Ms. Monea managed day-to-day operations while leading medium- and long-term strategic planning and organizational change. Ms. Monea partnered with senior staff to effectuate the Mayor’s legislative and policy agenda; to develop accompanying strategies for City Council and community engagement; and to align financial, legal, HR, and operational strategies, including oversight of the City’s $270+ million operating budget.