Sports

See Photos from Watertown Baseball and Softball Opening Day!

By |

A parade of young ballplayers marched down through town to Casey Field Saturday morning for the opening day of Watertown Baseball and Softball. The weather finally cooperated. The season was already delayed a couple weeks by weather, said League President Greg Salvucci. The special guest at the ceremony was Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio. He recalled opening day back in 1978 when he was a player when the game was snowed out.

Schools

These Watertown Math Students are Tops in the Nation!

By |

Members of the Lowell School’s Math League Team tested their skills and came out top in the nationwide competition. The Watertown elementary school has fourth- and fifth-graders who take part in the Continental Math League. Both grade levels enjoyed success this year, said Lowell teacher and Math League advisor Debra Garabedian, but the fifth graders rose to rarified air. “For the fifth grade, we are the top nationally, and the fourth grade won regionally, in New England,” Garabedian said. “Both grades levels won something this year, so that is a milestone we should be proud of.”

Around Town

Police Log: Shoplifters Busted at Target, Tires Slashed in Watertown

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department:

Arrests

April 21, 5:35 p.m.: A woman was spotted taking numerous clothing items from Target and tried to leave the store. She had $200.49 worth of clothing. Police arrested a 58-year-old Belmont woman on charges of shoplifting over $100. April 21, 4:48 p.m.: An officer on patrol on Main Street stopped a car and discovered the driver had an outstanding arrest warrant. A 36-year-old Dedham man was arrested on the warrant out of Dedham District Court.

Business

Kids with Cancer Join Navy SEALs in Event at Watertown Gym

By |

Children with cancer got some special motivation from a group of Navy SEALs recently at a Watertown rock climbing gym. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute brought the patients together with some of the United States military’s most elite troop in Watertown recently. WBUR reported on the event, where a SEAL who lost his legs in Afghanistan taught a 10-year-old cancer patient to climb the walls at Central Rock Gym. (click here to see the article). The gym at 74 Acton St.

Government

School Committee Chair Hears Parents Loud and Clear

By |

The message at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting where the budget was revealed was clear from Watertown parents, said School Committee Chairwoman Eileen Hsu-Balzer. The budget presented by Town Manager Michael Driscoll which included $38.9 million for education is a $2.267 million or 6.18 percent increase over Fiscal 2014. But it came in below the $6 million, 16 percent increase requested from the School Committee. Parents were upset and let the Town Council know they wanted the full request from the School Committee. Hsu-Balzer said that the budget is not done yet, and will not be voted until June 10.

Government

Budget Calls for More Police and Firefighters in Watertown

By |

Watertown will have more police officers and firefighters on duty with the Fiscal 2015 budget getting a boost from federal grants. The budget presented by Town Manger Michael Driscoll on Tuesday includes funding for a new police officer, as well as funding to cover the town’s matching portion for three positions funded by a grant. In May the Police Department will apply for the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) Hiring Program run by the U.S. Department of Justice. The federal grant covers 75 percent of the salary for a police officer for three years. The town covers the rest and must keep the officer on for at least a year after the program ends, Driscoll said.

Around Town

Town Budget Includes Increase for Schools, See How Much

By |

The Watertown Public Schools will be getting an increase next year, but parents at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting said it is not enough. Town Manger Michael Driscoll presented the Fiscal 2015 budget, but the item of interest for most in the standing room only Council Chamber was the education budget. The budget of $38.94 million is a $2.267 million increase – 6.18 percent – more than the Fiscal 2014 figure. This is more than the 3 percent projected in the draft budget Driscoll presented in October, but below the 16.81 percent requested by the School Committee and school staff. Several parents spoke during a public forum period expressing disappointment about the budget figure.