Government

Council President Mark Sideris to Receive Award from Solar Energy Group

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Mark Sideris, City Council President. Watertown City Council President Mark Sideris will receive an award from the Solar Energy Business Association of New England on June 21. Sideris will receive the 2023 Solar Leadership Award (Local) at the fourth annual Summer Solstice at the Rooftop@Revere. Details about why he was selected will be announced at the event. During Sideris’ time as Council President, Watertown has built the first two net-zero energy elementary schools in the state, and have designed and approved a net-zero energy high school — the second in the nation.

Business

New York-Based Cookie Store Opening Location in Watertown

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Watertown’s Arsenal Yards already boasts a bevy of restaurants and eateries, and will add something to satisfy people’s sweet tooth. Chip City Cookies will add Watertown to its list of stores, which currently includes 18 locations in New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey, according to an announcement on RestaurantNews.com. Childhood friends Peter Phillips and Theodore Gailas started Chip City Cookies in 2017 after the pair challenged each other to see which one could make the best cookie. The first store opened in Astoria, Queens. “We are thrilled to open our doors in Watertown,” Phillips said in the announcement.

Schools

Two Gap Year Opportunities at Perkins School for the Blind

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Watertown-based Perkins School for the Blind has opportunities for people looking to spend a service year helping students with a complex mix of disabilities, including visual impairments. The school will be working with AmeriCorps and Commonwealth Corps. See more information below. AmeriCorps Service Position at Perkins

Join a transformational organization focused on supporting disability and inclusion locally, nationally and globally

This AmeriCorps Service Opportunity with Perkins School for the Blind will allow you to have a positive impact on young people with complex disabilities and visual impairments, while also building professional development skills in disability education and job readiness that support your career. This 11-month/1700-hour position with a historic educational institution in Watertown, MA provides a number of benefits for those interested in engaging in a year of service through AmeriCorps.

Around Town

How Many People Face Hunger Discussed During Episode of Watertown Cable Show

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Inside Watertown co-hosts Bob Airasian, left, and Charlie Breitrose were joined by Tias Tilson (second from right) and Stephanie Venizelos. (Screenshot from WCA-TV video)

The number of residents facing food insecurity spiked during the COVID-19 shutdown, but even though the Pandemic has waned many people still are in danger of going hungry. The latest episode of Watertown Cable Access TV’s Inside Watertown focuses on hunger and food insecurity in Watertown. Guests Tia Tilson, Executive Director of the Watertown Community Foundation, and Stephanie Venizelos, Community Wellness Program Manager (including Live Well Watertown) joined co-hosts Bob Airasian and Charlie Breitrose. Tilson and Venizelos spoke about about how many people are using resources in the City such as the food pantries and the state’s food assistance programs, as well as ways that people can help out.

Government

Council Approves 2024 Budget, Including Amendment to Pay for Judgment in Sexual Discrimination Case

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

The Fiscal Year 2024 budget approved by the City Council Tuesday night includes an additional $3.6 million to cover the amount owed to a police officer who won a sexual discrimination suit by the City. Watertown’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget includes several new positions in the Planning Department, Health Department and to create a new Constituent Services program. It also includes funds for the Watertown High School project, and to make the City’s buildings and vehicles more energy efficient. The total FY 2024 operating budget will be $194,013,029 after the Council approved an amendment to put an additional $3,699,029 into the budget, moving it from the Free Cash fund into the Settlement Account, said City Manager George Proakis. In November 2022, a Middlesex Superior Court jury sided with Kathleen Donohue, the first female detective in the WPD, in her civil suit against the Watertown Police Department.

Schools

Watertown Schools Retirees Include Spanish, Social Studies & Music Teachers, a Special Educator & More

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The Watertown Public Schools will say farewell to nine educators and staff at the end of the school year, including some who have worked in the district for decades. At last week’s School Committee meeting, Superintendent Dede Galdston spoke about each of the nine retirees, who work in schools and departments around the district. Mark Boudreau

He worked as the woodshop and construction technology teacher at Watertown High School for 21 years. “Mark is the very epitome of a vocational educator, a consummate wood working and construction technology professional who takes pride in mentoring students in the safe operation of tools to achieve a desired hands-on result,” Galdston said. “Mark’s projects and classes introduced numerous students into the very real possibility of careers in Finish carpentry and the trades in general.”