Police/Fire

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

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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.

Around Town

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

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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!

Around Town

Watertown Hotel Hosting American Red Cross Blood Drive

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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.

Government

City Manager: Team Working on Watertown Square Study is Creative & Collaborative

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City of Watertown

Work on solving one of the biggest riddles facing Watertown, how to fix Watertown Square, will soon begin, City Manager George Proakis said this week, and the process will include some new approaches with plenty of public participation. Proakis spent a significant chunk of time talking about the Watertown Square study during Wednesday’s State of the City event. “One of the key goals that came out of the Comprehensive Plan is that we need to look at Watertown Square in a holistic manner,” Proakis said. The study will not just look at how the main intersection operates for motor vehicles, but also buses, pedestrians, and bicyclists, Proakis said. The study will not just look at how to get through and around the Square, but also being able to “enjoy the space.”

Government

While the State of the City Looks Good, Manager Also Address Challenges Facing Watertown

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City Manager George Proakis, left, and City Council President Mark Sideris spoke during the first annual State of the City on Wednesday night. Behind them is a photo of a juggler at the Faire on the Square. (Courtesy of the City of Watertown)

The State of the City of Watertown is strong and the future is bright, City Manager George Proakis said during the first annual State of the City on Wednesday night, but there are still many challenges to deal with. The event where the City Manager and the City Council President talk about how the City of Watertown is doing is now required to be held annually, following the changes to Watertown’s City Charter adopted in 2021. At the end of his presentation, Proakis included a photo of a performer at the Faire on the Square.