Government

Shootout with Bombing Suspects has Negative Impact on Watertown’s Kids

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{NOTE: The story was been updated on June 10, 2014 with more current information on the special education costs the district has spent this year.}

Some children living in the area where Watertown Police faced the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects have had long-term negative effects, which can be seen in the special education budget in town schools, officials said Thursday. Watertown schools have had a spike in the number of students with mental health problems, which is mostly seen in students who live close to the area of the shoot out – Dexter Avenue and Laurel Street in the East End. “We have seen high anxiety, older kids not wanting to be home alone and a feeling of hopelessness,” said Arlene Shainker, interim special education director. When it gets out of hand and affects their school life students are evaluated and sometimes sent to off-campus programs, including even hospitalization, Shainker said. The Impact

This school year Watertown has had 22 students placed in new out of district programs to meet their special needs, Shainker said, while last school year they had two.

Development

Council Shooting to Approve Comprehensive Plan by Fall

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The Comprehensive Plan – the major planning document that will shape Watertown’s future – will likely be approved this fall. 

The Town C0uncil’s Economic Development and Planning Committee discussed how they want to unveil the latest draft and collect input from town officials, town residents and others this week. The whole process will likely stretch into the fall. The Comprehensive Plan not only covers zoning rules and development, it also has recommendations for public transportation, bicycle and pedestrian issues, parks, and open space. Councilor Susan Falkoff did not like the idea of having the draft go to town department heads before the general public got to see it. The subcommittee agreed that the document should be published online so all can take a look.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Stroller Thief Caught, String of Car Break Ins

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

May 5, 5:11 p.m.: Two women were stopped at Target for removing tags from a number of items, placing them in their pocket books and attempting to leave the store. The items were worth a combined $249.34. A 20-year-old woman from Waltham and a 21-year-old woman from Newton were arrested on one count each of shoplifting. May 7, 2:21 a.m.: An officer patrolling spotted a vehicle make a turn on at a no-turn-on-red intersection and stopped it.

Schools

Watertown Teens Will Debut Video on Healthy Decision Making

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For the past two years, students at Watertown High School have worked on the “I Am” campaign in an effort to avoid drinking and drugs, and to make healthy decisions. They will culminate their effort with a video which will be shown on May 19. More than 20 Watertown Youth Coalition Peer Leaders worked on the short film which promotes healthy decision making, and giving alternatives to risky behaviors such as underage drinking and other substance abuse. Through the “I Am” campaign these students have shared ways to maintain that identity both in real life and in the online. The Watertown Youth Coalition will show the film on Monday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the Watertown Police Department Community Room, 552 Main St.

Government

Watertown School Officials Detail Use of $1 Million Boost

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The Watertown Public Schools will receive a $1 million budget boost in the current school year, and they will spend most of it on special education, but will also use some on technology, materials and preparations for the new PARCC standardized test. Tuesday night, the Town Council approved taking  the money out of the Free Cash Fund and use it for the school’s Fiscal 2014 budget (which ends in June 30). The majority, $790,000, will be spend to create a Special Education Stabilization Fund. Unexpected special education costs when students move into town with severe needs can cost nearly $250,000 per student in some cases. The Watertown Public Schools cover the cost even when students go to out of town programs.

The stabilization fund was created to prevent the general education budget from being eaten away by the unexpected, un-budgeted costs, said Councilor Vincent Piccirilli.

Around Town

Dedicated Watertown Resident Retires After 35 Years

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For 35 years E. Joyce Munger has served on the Watertown Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners, and this week she said farewell at the apartment complex bearing her name. While Munger dedicated her time to the Housing Authority, she could be seen at many events through the years, said Town Manager Michael Driscoll at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting. He first met her when she got him to be a judge at the 1978 Fourth of July Miss Watertown Pageant. She has also been a volunteer election poll worker, she served on the town’s 350th and 375th Anniversary Committees, ran the Wedding Faire and Fashion Shows at the Commander’s Mansion and helped organize Watertown’s 9/11 Remembrance ceremonies. At the ceremony, held at the E. Joyce Munger Apartments on Warren Street, Munger said her goodbyes.

Government

Legislators will Discuss Services for the Disabled and their Families

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Watertown will be the location for a Legislative breakfast focusing on services for people with special needs and their families. On Friday, May 16, the 11th annual Metro Suburban Advocacy Initiative Legislative Breakfast will be held at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 25 Bigelow Ave. in Watertown from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Local legislators, including Watertown’s State Reps. John Lawn and Jonathan Hecht, and State Sen. Will Brownsberger, will talk about their legislative priorities.

Around Town

Year of Activities, Work of Outgoing President Celebrated by Boy’s & Girl’s Club

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Last week, the Watertown Boy’s & Girl’s Club celebrated a year of fun and good times at the clubhouse and the work of the outgoing board president. The event at the Oakley Country Club raised just short of $50,000 in the club’s second biggest fundraiser of the year, said Executive Director Renee Gaudette. “The money makes it possible to serve every child walking through the doors,” Gaudette said. Along with running activities such as basketball, swim lessons and video games, the Boy’s & Girl’s Club also provides time and space for homework, tutors to help students and more. For students not into traditional sports, the club has activities such as Zumba and wall climbing at Central Rock Gym.