Around Town

Council Uses ARPA Funds on a Mix of Social Services, Water/Sewer & Climate Projects

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Watertown City Hall

Watertown’s ARPA funds will got to 18 projects, including water and sewer system upgrades, public housing improvements, creating a daycare facility, and money to help local food assistance programs.

The City of Watertown had a “once in a lifetime” opportunity opportunity to spend more than $10 million on projects using the funds provided as part of the federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act). Some of the projects funded include: sewer rehabilitation, moving the Food Pantry to a new location, building a childcare center at the Watertown Boys & Girls Club, expanding the Social Service Resource Specialist Program, creating a one-time housing assistance fund, funding a public health program for the prevention of drug and substance use, adding a photovoltaic (PV) solar array at the new Watertown High School, and a study of City-supported local transit. The complete list of programs funded, and descriptions of the project, can be seen below. The $10,742,413 was part of the federal Pandemic relief package, and could be used for public health, responding to negative economic impacts, services to disproportionately impacted communities, water, sewer and broadband infrastructure, and revenue replacement, according to the City Council’s resolution. After receiving more than 30 applications for project, both from City departments and local non-profits, the Council’s Budget & Fiscal Oversight Committee held a series of meetings speaking to the projects that met the requirements of how the funds could be used.

Entertainment

Watertown Ballet School Performing Nutcracker Suite

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Watertown’s Koltun Ballet Boston will perform the Nutcracker Suite featuring dancers of all ages from the school. The company is led by former principal dancers Alexandra Koltun and Alex Lapshin. The performance showcases the emerging talent in their Children’s and Pre-Professional dancing program. The young ballet dancers will dance the highlights from this classic holiday production, featuring performances prepared by each level (ages 5-19). Ticket-holders can enjoy a champagne reception following the performance. BU Dance Theater (915 Commonwealth Ave., entrance at 10 Buick St.), Saturday, Dec.

Around Town

Kids & Parents Martial Arts Classes at the Watertown Library

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The following announcement was provided by Coach Sean Martial Arts Fitness:

Sean Stefaniak, owner of Coach Sean Martial Arts and Fitness, will be hosting free martial arts classes for children and their parents at the Watertown Free Public Library. On Saturday, Dec. 30. Children ages 4-7 will have class at 9:30 a.m. and children ages 8-12 will be at 10:15 a.m. Parents will accompany their children during class. There is no registration required, however there is limited space available so it is better to show up early.

Sports

Watertown Boys Hockey Team Starts Season Wednesday, Girls in Co-op Team with Belmont

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by Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s boys hockey team will look for another State Tourney run in 2023-24. Here, Maricio Souza skates up ice against Scituate in the 2023 State Semifinal. The Watertown High School boys hockey will seek another run deep into the tournament in the 2023-24 season, and the Raiders’ first game will be Wednesday, Dec. 13. Meanwhile, Watertown has joined forces on the ice with Belmont to put together a co-op girls hockey team.

Sports

Watertown Basketball Game Suspended After Injury to Player

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An injury to a player in Watertown High School’s boys basketball game against Lexington caused play to be suspended, and the player was sent to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The player, from Lexington, landed on his head after a play near the basket. Witnesses said he appeared to be unconscious and then appeared to have spasms. The player was taken to the hospital, and “is home healing and is expected to make a full recovery and join his team soon,” wrote Watertown High School Principal Joel Giacobozzi in a letter to students and parents sent out Wednesday morning. Many students and parents at the game were visibly upset. Giacobozzi said that in the morning announcements that went over the WHS PA system, students were told they could take time out of class to speak to a counselor to talk about the incident.

Around Town

OBIT: Douglas Thompson, 50, Worked at Johnson Controls, Coached Kids’ Hockey Teams

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Douglas Maxwell Thompson

Douglas Maxwell Thompson, of Watertown, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 6, 2023. Born in Concord, Massachusetts, on August 31, 1973, Doug was the son of William and Lynda Thompson. Even as a child his curiosity and independence gave glimpses of the tenacious spirit Doug would carry throughout his life. He attended public schools in Sudbury and was a talented youth and high school hockey player, developing a lifelong love of the game. Doug always had an entrepreneurial spirit, inspiring him to own and operate a successful landscaping company throughout high school and college.

Government

City Council to Vote on Roads to be Reconstructed in 2024

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Tuesday night, the City Council will consider approving the list of roads in Watertown to be reconstructed in 2023. The Council’s Committee on Public Works recommended a list of five roads to be approved. The work would begin in the spring of 2024. Recommended Street List

George Street

Bromfield Street

Mangano Court

Grandview Avenue

Dwight Street

The list created by the Department of Public Works was based on a number of factors, according to the Committee report. “Some of these factors include a review of the pavement condition index (PCI), what utilities (water, sewer, and drain) are planned to be replaced, and the plans of public utilities (National Grid and Eversource).”