Schools

Lowell School Renovation to be Unveiled at Ribbon Cutting

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The Watertown Public Schools invites the public to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony for the latest school construction project to be completed: Lowell School. There will be an opportunity to look around the renovated and expanded school. School officials sent out the following information:

Please join us for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly renovated J.R. Lowell Elementary School on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. The ceremony will take place at the Lowell Avenue entrance at 4:00pm. After the ceremony, the Watertown Community is also invited to walk through the renovated building.

Police/Fire

Perkins School Sheltered in Place After Getting Threatening Phone Call

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Perkins School for the Blind went into lockdown after the school received a threatening phone call on Tuesday morning. The School shifted to shelter in place while the school was searched by Watertown Police, who cleared the school to go back to normal activities at about 2:45 p.m.

The Watertown Police announced on social media that the phone call came in at around 10:45 a.m. and school officials contacted the police. At about 1 p.m. Watertown Police released a statement saying, in part: “We responded and are currently working with school officials to ensure the safety of the students and staff. As a precautionary measure Perkins initiated a lockdown. This is an ongoing investigation, and we will provide additional information as it becomes available.”

Business

Watertown Native Names New Whiskey After His Hometown & Got a Little Help from His Friends

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Drink creator Mikey Bortone named his coconut whiskey after his hometown. (Courtesy of Watertown Whiskey)

Watertown native Mikey Bortone’s eureka moment came when he was enjoying a whiskey, while trying to hydrate at the same time. After perfecting his recipe, and with some help from a couple hometown buddies, Watertown Whiskey has become a reality. The liquor named for his hometown brings together rye whiskey and coconut. It debuted in California, where Bortone now lives, and he plans to bring it to his home state.

Entertainment

Drizzly Day Did Not Dampen the Fun at the 2023 Faire on the Square (See Photos!)

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Faire goers check out one of the dozens of exhibitors on the field at Salonstall Park. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Despite forecasts of downpours, hundreds of visitors came out to enjoy the 2023 Faire on the Square on Saturday. Organizers switched to the Rain Plan, which meant that the mechanical rides were cancelled, but the rest of the festivities went on. The live music and a farmers corner set up under some large tents in the parking lot of the Watertown Library. Some small children take a look at the Watertown High School Robotics Team robot.

Government

UPDATED: This Week – Main Street Project WILL NOT be at ZBA, Council Making Multiple Votes, Snow Shoveling Ordinance & More

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The latest rendering of the proposed project at 104 Main St. It now has five stories, after previously having half a dozen stories. (Courtesy of O’Connor Management)

(UPDATE: The project at 104 Main St. will not be heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals Wednesday night). The final week of September is a busy one for local government in Watertown, with the project at 104 Main St.

Around Town

Watertown Receives Federal Grant to Plant Trees Around Town

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The City of Watertown has been awarded a 2023 USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry – Inflation Reduction Act Grant for $100,000! The “Tree Planting in the City of Watertown, Massachusetts” grant is to help Watertown assist with new tree planting and focus planting efforts within the communities of Watertown, including Tree Planting & Maintenance, Restoration & Resilience, and Extreme Heat

The city is one of nine municipalities in Massachusetts that received a grant. The other communities in Massachusetts were Boston, Fall River, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lynn, Quincy, Southbridge, and Springfield. See all the cities around the nations to get the grant. Special thanks to Tree Warden Mike Micieli for preparing the successful grant application!