Government

School Committee Chair Hears Parents Loud and Clear

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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

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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

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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.

Around Town

Woman’s ‘Shopping Spree’ Lands her in Back of Police Car

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An woman upset that she could not return merchandise to Target tried to take matters into her own hands, but ended up under arrest. On April 25, a woman went to the customer service desk at Target to try to return some items, but was told she could not because she did not have the receipt. The woman was not satisfied with that answer. “She said ‘If I don’t get the money I will still what I need,'” said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. “Then she walked through the store and took items off the shelf and tried to leave.”

Sports

See How the Watertown U14 Softball Team Fared in its Opener

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By Del Furbish

Despite the very un-Spring like weather, the Lowell Field was alive again with Softball as the 2014 season kicked off with a U14 match up between Waltham and Watertown. Waltham claimed the first victory of the season with a nail biter of a game as they bested the Watertown Raiders 11-10. It was a fun, back and forth, contest between what will prove to be two very good teams. The season will sure to be filled with a lot of excitement ~ so long as mother nature decides to turn the heat back on. Next up for the Raiders is a match up with Manchester NH and another feisty Waltham team. Have a youth or high school sports report?

Around Town

See How to Get Free Comic Books in Watertown

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Comic book fans, or those interested in taking a look, head down to your local comic book store Saturday to get some free books. The Comic Stop, 134 Main Street in Watertown, will host Free Comic Book Day on May 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and there will be a special guest, according to store owner David Philbrick. “There will be an appearance by Spiderman from 10 to 2,” Philbrick said. Watertown artist and Popeye historian Fred Grandinetti will also be at the event drawing sketches for children. Philbrick hopes to set up a tent in back of the store for more activities if the weather is good.

Entertainment

Find Out About Eliza Dushku’s Latest Project

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 Watertown-native Eliza Dushku will be headed to the Motor City to work on her latest big screen project. Dushku and co-star Chase Crawford will be filming “Eloise” in a former psychiatric hospital – the Wayne County Poor House – in the Detroit suburb of Westland, according to a story on Michigan-based MLive.com. (Click here to read the full story). In the movie, four friends break into the abandoned institution to find proof that they are in line for a big inheritance. While in the former insane asylum, “the group not only finds that the institution houses a horrifying history but also the truth about their own tragic pasts,” according to a report on Deadline.com.