Around Town

2 Historic Events Remembered, Including Signing of Treaty of Watertown

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Marilynne Roach of the Historical Society of Watertown made a presentation about the signing of the Treaty of Watertown and the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Edmund Fowle House. (Courtesy of the Historical Society)

On July 18, two major events in the history of Watertown and the United States was celebrated by the Historical Society of Watertown at the Senior Center. The events took place in 1776, at the Edmund Fowle House, which now sits across the street from the Senior Center. The home was the seat of the Massachusetts Government after the British took over Boston during the Revolutionary War. It also was the location of the signing of the Treaty of Watertown, the first treaty signed by the recently independent United States with a foreign power – the Mi’kmaq and St.

Around Town

Watertown Man Planning to Ferry People to and from Boston on Charles River

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A rendering of the what the boat to be used by Wada Hoppah to ferry passengers from Watertown to Boston on the Charles River (Courtesy of Wada Hoppah)

A local man wants to put the “water” back into Watertown when it comes to public transportation. If everything comes together, Drew Rollert’s company Wada Hoppah will be ferrying passengers from Watertown to Beacon Hill, with stops along the way, beginning this fall. Cities such as Venice, Amsterdam, and London are known for using their rivers and canals for transportation, and Rollert believes Boston should join them. He is confident that people would like an alternative to sitting in traffic jams, or riding the MBTA’s buses or trains. The Watertown resident remembers the moment that the idea of river transportation came to him.

Around Town

Martial Arts Studio Brings Following to Watertown, Led by Longtime Instructor

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A class at Wu Dao Kung Fu & Tai Chi in Watertown. (Courtesy of Wu Dao)

Inside an unassuming building, surrounded by office buildings, labs, and an auto dealership sits a spacious studio where students train in kung fu and tai chi from an instructor who is versed in martial arts and more. Wu Dao Kung Fu & Tai Chi moved to a studio on Walnut Street after years operating near Fresh Pond in Cambridge. Owner and head instructor Lindsay Lambert developed a loyal group of students, many of whom followed Wu Dao after the move to Watertown. The numbers dropped during the Pandemic and after the move, particularly the kids program.

Schools

Stormwater Drainage at 2 Schools Need to be Repaired

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A pond has formed in a rain garden that is not draining at Hosmer School, near the corner of Mt. Auburn and Boylston streets. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Rain gardens at two Watertown schools that should be trickling water into the ground after storms have not been draining properly and have become standing ponds. The stormwater systems will have to be reinstalled so they work properly. The rain gardens were installed at Hosmer and Cunniff elementary schools during the construction of the new school buildings.

Government

Council Committees to Interview Nominees for Multiple Boards

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

A pair of City Council Committees will interview nominees for appointment or reappointment to the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Health, and the Affordable Housing Trust. The Committee on Economic Development and Planning will consider the appointment of Samuel Odamah to the Zoning Board in a term expiring in February 2025. They will also consider reappointing Christopher Heep to the Zoning Board for a term running until February 2028, and the reappointment of Payson Whitney III to the Planning Board for a term ending in February 2026. The remote meeting will be held Wednesday, Aug. 2 at 5 p.m. See the agenda and how to tune in by clicking here.

Government

2023 Watertown Election Features Races for Council President & School Committee

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The candidates running for City office in 2023 have been set, and Watertown voters will have to choose from the current and a former City Council President, and will elect at least one new School Committee member. The deadline to file to run in the Nov. 7 Watertown City Election was Monday at 5 p.m.

Council President

Mark Sideris, the Council President since 2010, will face the man he defeated to become President in 2009. Clyde Younger filed to run on Monday. He served as Council President from 1997-2004, and 2006-2009, and also has been elected to the Council, School Committee, and Town Meeting, before Watertown went to the Council-Manager style of government.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Wanted on Drug Warrants Nabbed, Several Homes Egged

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Deparment. Arrests

July 18, 11:48 a.m.: An officer patrolling in Watertown Square spotted a vehicle running a red light going from North Beacon Street onto Galen Street. The driver was pulled over and police discovered he was wanted on drug charges. William Reynolds, 43, of Boston, was arrested on the warrant from Dorchester District Court for possession with intent to distribute a Class D drug, and possession to distribute a Class B drug. He was also cited for a red light violation. 

Incidents

July 17, 11:10 a.m.: A set of golf clubs was stolen out of a vehicle parked at an apartment building on Pleasant Street.