Around Town

Housing Tops Charles River Chamber’s List of 5 Key Issues Facing Business in the Region

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During the Charles River Regional Chamber’s annual Fall Business Breakfast, the Chamber laid out the areas of focus for the next five years, and housing came to the forefront. During the event, held at the Boston Marriott Newton, John Rufo, Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, said that much has changed since the organization last put together a strategic plan in 2019. The latest plan has five areas of focus: transportation; childcare for the workforce; climate change; diversity, equity and inclusion; and housing. Creating more housing in the area is key, Rufo said. “I think about people who don’t have security in housing, and don’t have safety in housing,” Rufo said.

Police/Fire

Watertown Man Arrested in Newport on Charges of Delivering Fentanyl

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A Watertown man was arrested in Newport, Rhode Island, after allegedly delivering fentanyl after being linked to an opioid overdose in October. Jason Sumner, 49, of Watertown, was arrested last week and arraigned on Nov. 15 in Newport County District Court and was ordered held without bail. In October, Newport police and firefighters responded to and overdose, and officers administered Narcan to the person, who recovered, according to a report by WPRI Channel 12. During the investigation, police determined the cocaine ingested by the person had been mixed with fentanyl, which was linked to Sumner, according to WPRI.

Government

City Responds to Complaints About Highland Ave. Road Project

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Crews work on Highland Street over the summer as part of the ongoing road reconstruction project. A combination of weather and challenges with contractors have delayed a major road project in Watertown, said City Manager George Proakis, but there are steps being taken to prevent such delays. Last week, for the second meeting in a row, City Councilors got an earful from residents dissatisfied with various aspects of the Highland Avenue project. Many complained about the lengthy amount time that the project has taken to be completed (and more work still remains), and that sidewalks are often left torn up for an extended amout of time. Others said their driveways have been narrowed after years of having wider entrances, and some were upset about the safety of school children crossing at Copland Street to get to Cunniff Elementary School and at Lexington Street heading towards Watertown Middle School.

Sports

Watertown Field Hockey Team Withstands Newburyport Comeback to Win Thrilling State Final

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Watertown senior Molly Driscoll and the Raiders celebrate with the 2023 MIAA Div. 3 Field Hockey Championship Trophy. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

WORCESTER — Sometimes a moment leaves you grasping for words, unable to form full sentences. Several feelings flowing all at once — triumph, exhilaration, pride, a sense of relief, and pure joy. All you can do is just scream and give the nearest person a big hug.

Sports

STATE FINAL: Final — Watertown Wins 4-3!

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The Raiders lifted the MIAA Field Hockey State Championship trophy for the third straight year. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown High School’s field hockey team has been streaking towards the program’s 21st State Championship in 2023. A win in Saturday’s MIAA Div. 3 State Final would give the Raiders their 75th straight win, third straight title, and if they shut out Newburyport the team would extend its national record shutout streak to 42. The final is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Schools

Groundbreaking Ceremony Celebrates Start of Construction of Watertown’s Net Zero Energy High School

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Groundbreaking for the new Watertown High School included the City, School, and State officials. From left, Deputy City Administrator Emily Monea, WHS Principal Joel Giacobozzi, Superintendent Dede Galdston, City Council President Mark Sideris, State Rep. John Lawn, State Sen. Will Brownsberger, State Rep. Steve Owens, MSBA CEO Jim MacDonald, and Assistant City Manager Steve Magoon. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A celebration many years in the making took place in Watertown Thursday to mark the beginning of the creation of an asset that will last for generations: the new Watertown High School. Superintendent Dede Galdton said she recalls the wheels already being in motion when she arrived in the district in 2017 when she was told the goal was to build a new, state-of-the-art high school, along with three elementary schools. “We are just so excited to begin the work, not that the work hasn’t been going on for the last five or six years, but the actual demolition and rebuilding of this beautiful place,” Galdston said.