Government

Public Works Wins Award for Work When Bombing Suspects Came to Town

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Watertown’s Public Works Department may not get the same heralding as the Police and Fire departments for the work during the search for the Boston Marathon bombing suspects, but the workers will get a big accolade this summer. The American Public Works Association announced it will present Watertown with the Exceptional Performance Award in Adversity at the annual conference in Toronto this August. On April 19, 2013, after Watertown Police faced off with the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects the Public Works Department closed off many streets in town and provided lights, among other things, to help law enforcement and the search for the second suspect.  

Public Works Director Gerald Mee received the announcement earlier this month, and Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced it at Tuesday’s Town Council Meeting. “I appreciate their efforts and it is well deserved,” Town Council President Mark Sideris said at the meeting.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Officer Recalls Facing the Marathon Bombing Suspects

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Watertown Police Sgt. John MacLellan was the second officer to arrive at the intersection of Dexter Avenue and Laurel Street where police faced the armed and dangerous Boston Marathon Bombing suspects. MacLellan told WBZ Channel 4 that he will never forget what his fellow officers did that night. He also vowed never to be in a situation where he runs out of ammunition – as he did that night when facing down the Tsarnaev brothers. He now carries extra ammo, according to the WBZ report.

Police/Fire

See Which Watertown Police Officers are Running the Marathon

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A dozen Watertown Police officers, including Chief Edward Deveau, will be taking on the 26.2 miles of the Boston Marathon this year. A year after the bombings at the marathon finish line, and after the bombing suspects got into a shootout with Watertown Police and were ultimately stopped in town, a dozen of Watertown’s finest will run the race. The Police Department received special entries from the Boston Athletic Association, and 12 officers stepped up to the challenge. Deveau has run the race before, but not for a few years. The officers running (pictured above from left to right) are: Officer Thomas Dicker, Officer Brandon O’Neill, Lt. Daniel Unsworth, Det.

Around Town

Councilors Talk About Lowering Capital Budget to Help Fund Schools

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With a large budget request by the Watertown Public Schools, some Town Councilors asked if some of the increase for the schools could be found by cutting capital spending. Councilor Tony Palomba brought up the subject during Tuesday’s Council meeting when the Fiscal 2015 capital budget came up. He suggested cutting down the amount of money borrowed by the town for building projects and capital purchases – such as vehicles. “I have been told there is no relationship between the operational and capital budgets. That may be true, but I know when I borrow money I have to pay it back to the bank, and with interest,” Palomba said.

Charity

Finish Strong Road Race Heading Through Site of Watertown Shootout

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In the early hours of April 19, 2013, the intersection of Dexter Avenue and Laurel Street was the scene of chaos and danger as the Watertown Police confronted the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects. A year later the area will be part of a community celebration. Participants in the Finish Strong 5K Road Race and Walk will go through the intersection on the anniversary of the shootout with and capture of the bombing suspects. The race is sponsored by the Watertown Police Supervisor’s Association and begins at 10 a.m. on April 19 at Tufts Health Plan, 705 Mt. Auburn St.

Police/Fire

New Watertown Strong Flag Flying Over Watertown High School

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A new bright red flag with the words “Watertown Strong” now flies on the flag pole at Watertown High School in honor of the work of the first responders on April 19, 2013.Thursday morning, the high school held a ceremony to honor the first responders and to celebrate the new flag. The idea for the new banner came from students in the Transitions to Success class at WHS. The students wanted to thank the Watertown Police and Watertown Fire departments for their work last April when they helped stop and capture the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects, said Superintendent Jean Fitzgerald. The class raised money for the flag, made by Lubin’s Trophy of Newton, by selling wrist bands. They also received a donation from the Watertown Fire and Police Memorial Golf Tournament.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Log: Expensive Sneakers Swiped, Driver Busted on OUI has Beer Cup in Car

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. An arrest does not indicate a conviction. Arrests

April 3, 10:31 p.m.: A driver spotted a car driving erratically on Walnut Street and noticed one of the tail lights was not working. The driver followed the car as it got onto Arsenal Street, drove into Boston, came back down Nonantum Road and drove onto California Street. Police pulled the erratic driver over and noticed that she had an empty plastic Bud Light cup on her seat.

Arsenal Complex

Athenahealth Seeks Zoning Changes for Arsenal Complex

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The company that bought the Arsenal on the Charles hopes to get some zoning changes to assist redeveloping the complex in Watertown. Tuesday night, the Town Council heard about a proposed zoning overlay for the complex, from Steve Magoon, Watertown’s director of Economic Development and Planning. The overlay would include several changes to the towns zoning rules just for that property that lies between Arsenal and North Beacon streets. One change would provide more flexibility to add more retail space. “It will not be come a third mall or anything,” Magoon added.