Police/Fire

“Natural” Fire That Damaged Watertown Home Started in Mulch

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Watertown Fire DepartmentFirefighters from Watertown and several area communities battled the three-alarm fire on Maple Street. Fire investigators determined that a fire that damaged a multifamily home in Watertown was started by a “natural” cause. On Thursday afternoon a three alarm blaze struck a home on Maple Street. Provisional Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson said it started outside th home. “Our fire investigator has classified this fire as ‘Natural,’ and determined the cause to be fresh mulch which ignited from direct sunlight heating and extended to trash barrels in direct contact,” provisional Watertown fire Chief Ryan Nicholson said in a statement.

Police/Fire

3 Alarm Fire Damages Multifamily Home in Watertown

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Watertown Fire DepartmentFlames blaze out of the roof of a multifamily home on Maple Street on Thursday. Flames could be seen coming out of the roof of a multifamily home on Maple Street Thursday afternoon. Watertown Firefighters, with help of several departments, were able to contain the three-alarm fire to just that structure. The call for a fire came in at about 3 p.m. on May 11, said Provisional Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. “Upon arrival we found a fire that appeared to start on the exterior at the ground level and travel up and into the third floor for a multi family home,” Nicholson said.

Government

Watertown’s Budget Includes Study of Improving the Square, Rodent Control & Energy Efficiency

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Watertown City Hall

City Manager George Proakis told the City Council that he believes that a key to getting the best bang for the buck in the City Budget is providing competitive salaries and benefits to employees. He also discussed some new initiatives planned to start in Fiscal Year 2024, including studies on Watertown Square, rodent control, and making the City’s buildings and vehicles more efficient. Revenues

The vast majority of Watertown’s budget comes from local real estate and personal property taxes. The City is forecast to collect $152 million in property taxes, which makes up about 80 percent of the $190 million Fiscal Year 2024 Budget. The City budget includes $15.9 million in State Aid, up $1.5 million from FY23.

Around Town

Armenian Memorial Church Hosting Fair, Portion of Proceeds Going to Syria Earthquake Relief

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The Armenian Memorial Church of Watertown will hold its Annual Fair on Friday, May 19, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 20, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. (rain or shine). Both days, the Church will be serving its delicious kebab dinners and exquisite desserts. Visitors will have two days to enjoy the fabulous Armenian beef, chicken and losh (ground meat) kebab dinners complete with sauce, rice pilaf, salad and pita bread. The selection will also include meatless meals. Visitors may enjoy eating at tables under the tent or may purchase take-out orders if they prefer.

Government

Budget Forecast Good for 2024, but Manager Sees Gloomy Conditions in Future

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Watertown’s budget will be healthy enough to add several positions in Fiscal Year 2024, but City Manager George Proakis told the City Council Tuesday night to expect some challenging budgets in the years to follow. The FY24 budget, which will be approved by the Council in June and begins July 1, will be $190 million. This is 5.9 percent below the FY23 budget, but Proakis said if you take out the money used to purchase Walkers Pond and the former Parker School, it would be 6.99 percent higher than FY23. The stormy seas ahead are due to five converging forces, Proakis said, and they could impact the budgets from FY25-28. The first factor is the cost of construction, which comes at a time when Watertown is taking on the biggest in its history: a new high school which will cost more than $200 million.

Schools

Busing Available to High School Moxley Campus, Fewer Spots for Hosmer Bus Next Year

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by Pixabay

Students living more than three-quarters of a mile from the temporary Watertown High School campus at Moxley Field will be able to ride the school bus for free next year. The School Committee also heard that the number of seats on the bus to Hosmer Elementary School will be reduced starting in the fall. Superintendent Dede Galdston said that while the free busing to the high school will be available, it is intended for students would ride it regularly. “It is for students committed to riding the bus for the school year. It is not public transportation.

Government

This Week: City Budget, Planning Board Discusses Main Street Project & Rodent Control

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

On Tuesday night, City Manager George Proakis will present the Fiscal Year 2024 budget to the City Council. The next night, the Planning Board will continue its discussion of the proposed six-story mixed-use project at 104-126 Main Street. The City Council will also consider a citizens petition to amend the Zoning Ordinance to create buffers between developments and residential areas. They will meet on Tuesday, May 9 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber City Hall and remote. See the agenda and how to participate here. The Planning Board will continue discussing the project at 104-126 Main St.