CPA Projects: Walker Pond, Pavilion & Historic House Repair Approved; Mount Auburn Cemetery Request Rejected

Courtesy of the City of WatertownThe pavilion that will be built at Saltonstall Park. The City Council approved funding for an ecological study at Walker Pond, building a pavilion at Saltonstall Park, and to help repair Watertown’s oldest home. They rejected a proposal to restore a historic memorial at Mount Auburn Cemetery. The four projects were brought forward as recommendations from the Community Preservation Committee to be paid for using money from the Community Preservation Act funds. The dollars in the fund come from a local property tax surcharge and state matching funds, and can be used on historic preservation, open space/recreation, and affordable housing.

Watertown Police Sting Nabs Nearly a Dozen Suspected Shoplifters

More than a dozen Watertown Police officers blanketed Arsenal Yards and the Watertown Mall Wednesday afternoon. They blended in, wearing street clothes, so they could approach shoplifters without attracting attention and place them under arrest. The sting nabbed 11 people in about six hours. The Watertown Police Department worked with retailers, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, and the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force, to catch as many shoplifters as possible, and to send a message to others, said Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan. “During the operation, undercover officers and loss prevention personnel from Target, Best Buy, Nike, Home Depot, and Ulta were strategically deployed across various retail establishments identified as high-risk locations for shoplifting.

Firefighters Extinguish 2 Alarm Fire in East End, the 2nd Blaze of the Day

Courtesy of Watertown Fire DepartmentFirefighters put out a two-alarm fire at a home on Melendy Avenue. A two-alarm fire damages a two-family home in East Watertown on Wednesday afternoon. The Watertown Fire Department received call for a smoke in a house on Melendy Avenue at 1:20 p.m. on April 24, said Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. “Upon arrival companies found smoke showing from several windows from one of the units in a side by side two family. The residents of the involved unit were not home at the time,” Nicholson said.

Police Log: Shoplifter Caught with Items from Multiple Stores, Electric Bike Stolen

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. April 12, 12:30 p.m.: A woman was seen rolling a shopping cart through Carter’s and filled it with children’s clothing before leaving without paying. The woman’s identity was determined, and the 33-year-old Boston woman was summoned to Waltham District Court on a charge of larceny under $1,200. April 12: A resident received a call from someone claiming to be a representative of National Grid, and told the resident that she owed $900 and if she did not pay her electricity would be shut off. The person told the resident to buy three $300 gift cards from either Target or Walmart.

1 Watertown Wrestler First to Compete at Nationals, Another Places at Tourney in New York

Watertown’s Tommy Dicker, third from left, won at match at the High School Nationals in Virginia. Here he is shown on the podium at the MIAA Div. 3 State Meet after finishing second. (Courtesy of Watertown Athletics)

A pair of Watertown wrestlers continued their seasons past the state meet, and one made the first appearance and collected the first win by a Raider wrestler at High School Nationals. Senior Tommy Dicker traveled to Virginia Beach, Virginia, on April 5 and 6 to compete at the NHSCA High School Nationals.

A $3 Million House Among This Week’s Watertown Open Houses

A six-bedroom single family house in Watertown with an asking prices of $3 million will have open houses this weekend. 19 Garfield St., $3,000,000, 6 bedroom 6 bathroom 6,274 sq. ft. Single Family, Open houses: Saturday, April 20 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Sunday, April 21 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

172-178 Summer St., $1,699,000, 8 bedroom 4 bathroom 3,816 sq. ft.