Watertown Fire Awards Presented for Response to Heart Attack, a Woman Giving Birth & a Girl Stuck in a Duct

Watertown Firefighters, Police Officers and a Public Safety Dispatcher received awards for saving a man in cardiac arrest. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown Firefighters, Watertown Police officers, and public safety dispatchers who went above and beyond in three incidents received service awards from the Watertown Fire Department this week. Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson presented the awards during Tuesday’s ceremony where Nicholson and other members of the WFD who received promotions were sworn in. The awards were approved by votes of the Commendation Board of the Watertown Fire Department. “These members acted with great distinction and heroism in the saving of a human life,” Nicholson said.

Residents, Developers Raise Concerns Over New Demolition Ordinance, OK’d by Split Council Vote

Photo by Steve OwensThe Shick House on Grove Street was an example of a home on which the Historical Commission placed a demolition delay in efforts to save it. It was torn down after BB&N could not find someone to move it to another site. The property is now an athletic complex. Under Watertown’s new demolition delay ordinance, a large number of homes will no longer have to go through the Historical Commission process to do additions or even to tear them down, but those that do go before the Commission could be subject to a much longer demolition delay. The City Council adopted the changes to the demolition delay ordinance on Aug.

Watertown Fitness Studio Hosting Free Dirty Dancing Workout & Social

Watertown’s Get Lively Health and Fitness Studio will be hosting a free inspired summer social event inspired by the movie “Dirty Dancing.” The studio invites the public to come join a later summer social and enjoy a workout featuring some dance inspired moves to the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. The free community event will be on Thursday, Aug. 24 from 6-7 p.m. at Get Lively, located at 25 Clarendon St. The event is for ages 12+

Register at www.getlivelynow.com/social

Watertown’s Fire Chief Thanks Family, Fellow Firefighters During Swearing-in Ceremony

Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson was sworn in by City Clerk Janet Murphy. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown’s new Fire Chief had plenty of people to thank during his swearing-in ceremony, but Ryan Nicholson made sure not to be the sole focus of the event at the Commander’s Mansion on Tuesday afternoon. “I’m incredibly humble to be able to address this group today as the Watertown Fire Department’s eighth permanent fire chief,” he said Tuesday. “I am also excited to announce the promotion of five of our men, and celebrate the appointment of seven firefighters.” City Manager George Proakis has gotten to know Nicholson, having worked together since Proakis arrived in Watertown in August 2022.

See Who Will be at the 2023 Watertown Arts Market This Saturday

Watertown will celebrate arts of all kinds during the third annual Watertown Arts Market on Saturday at Filippello Park. The Watertown Arts Market is a free event with free parking at the BB&N lot next to the Park at 191 Grove St. Meet local Watertown artists and arts-related non-profits on Aug. 19, from 12-5 p.m., at Filippello Park, Grove Street entrance. Artists & Craftspeople

Visit Echo Art and Design @echoartanddesign for your name in calligraphy or a calligraphy mini lesson https://www.echoartanddesign.com/

Visit Artist, Designer & Screen Printer Eric Lavalliere @peabo_show

See Zoë Raymond’s charm bracelets @blingy_strings

Visit Artist Adam Adkison @adamadkison1

Visit Artist @vapordoll

Come meet Artist Serena Gauthier @flmgrl

Visit Jacob’s Bracelets for Good at the Watertown Arts Market!

Watertown Hotel Hosting American Red Cross Blood Drive

The following information was provided by the Residence Inn by Marriott:

The Residence Inn by Marriott will host a blood drive on Thursday, Aug. 31. The event will be held on the seventh anniversary of the opening of the hotel. The Watertown Community Blood Drive will be hosted by the hotel in the East End Watertown Room, 570 Arsenal St., Watertown. The American Red Cross will be at the hotel on Aug.