Around Town

Man Growing Beard to Raise Money for Martin Richard Foundation

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Joshua Vernon is growing a beard to be Watertown Strong and to raise money for a charity created in memory of one of the victims of the Boston Marathon Bombing. For the second year, Vernon will grow out his facial hair for the Boston Bruin’s Beard-A-Thon. This year, all the proceeds benefit the Martin W. Richard Charitable Foundation an the Boston Bruins Foundation. Last year, Vernon raised $4,000 during the Beard-A-Thon and he has set a goal of $2,000 this year. You can see Vernon’s profile and pledge by going here: https://www.beardathon.com/bruins/WatertownStrong/profile.aspx

Around Town

Watertown Baseball Team Dedicating Season to Fallen Firefighter

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Players of the Watertown High School baseball team wear special hats this season with the words “LT ED WALSH BFD” embroidered on them to honor a former Raider player. Lt. Edward Walsh, the Boston firefighter killed fighting a blaze in the Back Bay graduated from Watertown High School and he played for the Raiders on the baseball diamond. Watertown baseball Coach Aram Manoukian is good friends with Ed’s younger brother Mike. After Walsh’s death, the team wanted to do something to honor him. “The players decided pretty much immediately that they wanted to dedicate the season to him, for being the hero that he clearly was,” Manoukian said.

Police/Fire

See How the Watertown Boy’s Lacrosse Team Paid Tribute to Lt. Ed Walsh

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Members of the Watertown High School boy’s lacrosse team took the field last week with a special honor for fallen Boston Firefighter and Watertown native Edward Walsh. The team all put the message “LT. EW 33” on a piece of athletic tape and put it on their helmets during the game against Belmont. Lt. Walsh graduated from Watertown High School in 1989 and worked on Boston Engine 33 when he died fighting a fire in the Back Bay. Click here to see a video about the tribute on NESN’s website.

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.