Government

City Splitting Up Financial Positions After Failing to Find “Unicorn”

By |

Watertown City Hall

After the City Council struggled to hire someone to replace retired Auditor and Financial Director Tom Tracy, City Manager George Proakis recommended that the job be split into two. Last week, Proakis told the City Council of his plan to split up the duties that Tracy had, rather than trying to find someone with the same skills. Tracy retired in October after working for nearly 30 years in Watertown, and has stayed on part-time to help Proakis with his first budget as City Manager. “We’ve done a pretty broad search, we hired a consultant and we made some real progress in searching all corners for this type of position,” Proakis said. “After taking a significant look at this I have come to the conclusion that the combined chief financial officer/auditors are unicorns.

Around Town

City’s Rodent Control Program Using Smart Traps to Eliminate & Track Pests

By |

With the problem of rodents growing around Watertown, and more expected as a result of a pair of major road projects, the Department of Public Works will deploy more robust rodent control methods. The City will use dozens of smart traps that will both take care of rats and other rodents, and also provide information such as where the “hot spots” are, said Tom Watkins, Director of Administration and Finance for the Watertown DPW. “The Anticimix technology does represent a change in the way we are approaching our efforts in addressing rodent control in the City,” Watkins said. “The Anticimix is a SMART technology that provides us real live data for which we will use to strategically locate the traps as the program moves forward.” The City, in partnership with Modern Pest Services, will deploy 40 of the traps on Arsenal Street and 30 on Mt.

Around Town

A Look Inside the Watertown Home Selling for $2.6 Million

By |

Real Estate AdvisorsThe home on Robbins Road selling for $2.6 million. Perched near the top of the hill above Watertown High School sits a newly constructed home with a modern look, bright spacious rooms, and views far beyond the City limits. The asking price for the 4,718 sq. ft. single family home: $2.6 million.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Faces OUI Charge After Striking 2 Cars, Scuffle at Dog Park & a Dumpster Fire

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrest

March 9, 9:14 a.m.: Officers spotted a woman they knew was wanted on warrants in the Municipal Parking lot in Watertown Square. Rosemary Taverna, 45, of Watertown, was arrested on four warrants from Waltham District Court: the first for larceny under $1,200; the second for larceny under $1,200 and breaking and entering; the third for breaking and entering; and the fourth for shoplifting by concealment. After she was taken to the Police Station, officers found she had two credit cards that did not belong to her and a AAA card. They belonged to someone who had their pocket book stolen in December.

Government

City’s 5-Year Capital Plan Includes Park Projects, School Improvements, and Demolishing the Old Police Station

By |

The five-year Capital Improvement Plan includes 43 items, including 19 new items for Fiscal Year 2024. Projects in the pan include the new Watertown High School, the Victory Field track and courts area, the second part of the Arsenal Park renovation, and the demolition of the old Police Station. In addition, the capital plan also includes a field house at Victory Field, an extension of the Community Path, replacement of the spray pad at Filippello Park, lighting improvements at Saltonstall Park, improvements to the baseball field at Casey Park, and improvements to Sullivan Playground. There are also multiple projects at Watertown’s schools, improvement projects at the Library, the newly acquired Parker School office building, and at the John A. Ryan Skating Arena. Purchases of vehicles and equipment for the Fire Department and the Department of Public Works also made the list.

Around Town

Watch Party & Fundraiser for Armenia’s Euro 2024 Qualifier at Donohue’s

By |

Supporters of the Armenian soccer team can join other fans at a watch party for the Euro 2024 qualifier against Turkey at Watertown’s Donohue’s Bar & Grill. The event is hosted by Armenian Sports News and proceeds benefit the Armenian Para-Athletic Federation. Armenian Sports News sent out the following announcement on its Instagram page:

Come to Donohue’s in Watertown to watch the Armenian national team in action in the 2024 European Championship qualifiers as they take on rival Turkey on March 25 at 12:00 PM. Come for food, drinks and a raffle for prizes. Tickets are $30 (click here for tickets) and proceeds go to the Armenian Para-Athletic Federation, who is training wounded veterans from the Artsakh War in different sporting disciplines in order to give them a new outlook on life.

Around Town

Court Renovation & Multi-Sport Rink at Moxley Field Approved

By |

CDM SmithA drawing of the approved project to resurface the basketball and tennis courts at Moxley Field and add a multi-sport rink with boards. The area of Moxley Field which now has two tennis courts and a basketball court will be renovated, and one of the tennis courts will be replaced by a multi-sport rink. On March 16, the City Council approved the project, which had been in the queue for capital projects since Fiscal Year 2016, said City Manager George Proakis. The $1.38 million project includes the demolition and removal of the current courts, and the creation of the new courts and the rink. The grassy area of Moxley Field will be the temporary home of Watertown High School while the new building is constructed.