Around Town

Owl Trapped in Net in Watertown Rehabilitated & Released – See the Video!

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A Great Horned Owl that got trapped in a net in Watertown was released back into the wild this week. (Screen shot from Video)

An owl that got caught up in the netting at an athletic field in Watertown in December has been nursed back to heath and this week it was released back into the wild. The Great Horned Owl was released at Victory Field, and it flew into the trees on nearby Whitney Hill. The Watertown Police Department sent out the following statement on social media:

“An update on the Great Horned Owl … Back on December 13, 2023, the owl had to be cut out of a batting cage net and sent to a Veterinary clinic before going to a rehabilitation center in Wayland.

Around Town

Snow Emergency Declared in Watertown for Weekend Storm

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Snow forecast for Saturday and Sunday from WBZ Channel 4. The City of Watertown will be under a snow emergency beginning Saturday evening. The storm that is forecast to begin hitting the area on Saturday evening could drop six inches or more of snow on Watertown, according to the WBZ Channel 4 forecast. See the City’s announcement below:

The Superintendent of Public Works is declaring a snow emergency effective 6:00 PM, Saturday, January 6, 2024. On-street parking will be banned, and any motor vehicle left on the street will be subject to towing.

Government

Council Will Consider Requiring Residents to Remove Snow in Front of their Properties

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Watertown residents would be required to remove snow and ice from sidewalks in front of their homes if the amendment to the Snow Ordinance is approved. The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed changes to the Snow and Ice Removal Ordinance on Tuesday, Jan. 9, Council President Mark Sideris said during his address at Tuesday’s Inauguration Ceremony. The meeting will be held at City Hall beginning at 7 p.m. Remote participation will be available. Watertown already has snow and ice removal rules for commercial properties, but the changes to the Snow and Ice Removal Ordinance would add requirements to remove snow from sidewalks in front of homes.

Government

Watertown’s City Council Has Some Big Issues Waiting as New Term Begins

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City Council President Mark Sideris outlined the accomplishments of the past two terms and issues facing the City Council in the new term at the 2024 Inauguration. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The New Year also ushered in a new term for Watertown’s elected boards, and the City has some issues on its plate to tackle soon, including a show shoveling ordinance, short-term rentals, and reusing some former city buildings. City Council President Mark Sideris addressed the crowd Tuesday night at the Commander’s Mansion after members of the City Council, School Committee, and Board of Library Trustees took the oath of office. Watertown’s elected officials waited to be sworn in at the 2024 Inauguration at the Commander’s Mansion. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

When the Council meets on Jan.

Police/Fire

Learn About Being a Watertown Police Officer at Information Session

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Find out what it is like to be a Watertown Police officer at an informal meeting hosted by Police Chief Justin Hanrahan. The Watertown Police will host an informal Q&A session for possible new officers. Hear from Chief Hanrahan, Capt. Dan Unsworth, and other members of the WPD. “If you are interested, come down to the PD and speak to our officers. Ask questions about the hiring process or anything else related to becoming a member of our police department.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Running Women’s Self-Defense Course

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The Watertown Police Department is running a self-defense class for women in January on the Perkins School for the Blind. It is open to residents and Perkins employees. “Several spots still available! WPD is teaching a R.A.D. class. If you are interested and can commit to ALL four classes, then please contact Det.

Around Town

Hunger in Watertown: Task Force Tackles Social Needs, Tries to Fills Gaps Left by State, Local Programs

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Jan Singer, left, the former Executive Director of the Watertown Community Foundation, discussed how the Foundation responded to food insecurity during the Pandemic with journalists Maya Shwayder and Charlie Breitrose. (Photo by Dan Hogan / WCA-TV)

As the numbers of people facing a scarcity of food, worried about losing their home, or paying for utilities rose at the start of the Pandemic, a group of people in Watertown was gathered to bring together their knowledge of how to serve those in need. The task force continues to meet regularly, and tries to figure out ways to fill the gaps and patch the cracks in the local, state, and federal social services programs.

This story is the third in a series by Watertown News, in conjunction with Watertown Cable Access Television, called “Watertown’s Hidden Problem: Food Insecurity Among Us.” (See part one here). The Task Force

Jan Singer, who was executive director of the Watertown Community Foundation when COVID-19 hit, said the Community Resilience Task Force came about when the Foundation got a grant from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund aimed at providing assistance in key areas such as housing, childcare, and food security. Singer and members of the Foundation board quickly realized that they needed to gather the experts to help them direct the funds where they were needed most.