Government

City Manager Gives Outlook on Watertown’s Budget, Philosophy on Contract Negotiations

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Watertown City Manager George Proakis. This week, School officials announced an agreement on the Watertown teachers’ contract, but even when that is signed Watertown has six unions on the municipal side yet to be settled. This week, the City Manager revealed his philosophy when approaching these negotiations and how the City budget could impact the talks. He released a memo to the City Council outlining the contracts and the Watertown budget at Tuesday’s Council meeting. While making the budget, Proakis said he and his team are following the Council’s budget priorities, which include creating walkable neighborhoods and small business programs, improving infrastructure, using green vehicles, and upgrading parks and playgrounds.

Around Town

Library Running Technology Classes in Spanish, Bibiloteca Ofrece Clases de Tecnología en Español

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The Watertown Free Public Library will offer a series of technology classes in Spanish. The classes were made possible through the Public Library Association Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive, supported by AT&T. In November and December, the Library worked with the Watertown Housing Authority to offer a set of classes. All four classes will be held at the Watertown Library, 123 Main St., Watertown, in the Lucia Mastrangelo Room on the second floor. The schedule of classes can be seen below:

Clases de Tecnologia Gratis en WFPL

Los Básicos del Internet

Martes, 21/2/2023 | 19:00 | en WFPL | Mejora tu confianza en buscar y navegar en la web.

Sports

Watertown High Grad Attends NCAA Convention Representing Simmons University

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Emily Sideris

Former Watertown High School field hockey player Emily Sideris, who now manages Daly Field for Simmons University, recently got to participate in her first NCAA Convention. Sideris attended the national collegiate athletics event in San Antonio during the week of Jan. 11-14, where new legislative proposals for governing the NCAA and college athletics were discussed, the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year was awarded, and other issues were touched on during small-group discussions, such as mental health, student-athlete experience. She also met different members of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference, in which Simmons competes. 

The convention took place before former Governor Charlie Baker took over as NCAA President. 

Sideris enters her second year as the Manager of Daly Field Facilities and Athletic Operations at Simmons University. Daly Field is located across the Charles River from Watertown in Brighton.

Schools

Teachers, Watertown Schools Reach Agreement on Contract

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Watertown teachers will soon have a new contract. The Watertown Educators Association and the School Committee announced Tuesday that a settlement had been reached, and it must now be ratified by the union and then approved by the School Committee. Details about the contract have not been released. At the most recent School Committee meeting union representatives spoke about some of the areas they sought more from the district, including salaries in line with neighboring districts and guaranteed parental leave for both parents of a newborn. Teachers went to work to rule in late January to show their displeasure with the fact they were working without a contract and wanted a contract that would put them on par with other districts in the area.

Around Town

Replacing Victory Field Turf with New Artificial Surface Supported by School Committee

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Charlie BreitroseVictory Field is home to Watertown High School’s football team, along with the field hockey, girls and boys soccer, boys and girls lacrosse, and baseball teams.

On Feb. 6, the School Committee supported the recommendation to replace the artificial turf surface at the field most used by Watertown High School’s athletic teams, however some did so with strong reservations because it would be a different type of artificial turf. The artificial turf field at Victory Field is nearing the end of its recommended life. The City plans to replace it with another artificial turf, but with an organic material between the plastic blades of grass. The final decision on whether to approve the project will come from the City Council, and the funding would come from the City’s budget, not the Schools.

Entertainment

What’s Happening at Arsenal Yards: Comedy, Scavenger Hunt, Networking & More

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The retailers and restaurants Arsenal Yards has a variety of events coming up, starting with a Valentine’s Day activity. Also check out a comedy show, a scavenger hunt and a networking event. February 14, 6-8:30 p.m. – Valentine’s Day at Central Rock Gym: https://www.arsenalyards.com/events/24951/valentines-day-with-central-rock-gym/

February 21, 9 p.m. – Comedy Show at Tori Jiro: https://www.arsenalyards.com/events/24982/comedy-show-at-tori-jiro/

February 20-24 – February School Vacation – Scavenger Hunt: https://www.arsenalyards.com/events/24986/february-break-scavanger-hunt/

March 6, 4:30-5:30 p.m. – Ulta Salon Open House (Networking Event): https://www.arsenalyards.com/events/24966/salon-open-house/

Government

DATE CHANGE: West End City Councilor Emily Izzo Hosting Annual Public Meeting

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District D City Councilor Emily Izzo. As part of the changes to the Watertown Charter all City Councilors must have an annual meeting to meet with the public. City Councilor Emily Izzo, who represents the westside of the City, announced dates for her constituent meeting. See info below. Izzo announced the change of dates for the meeting:

Due to a conflicting event, I have changed the date of my annual councilor meeting.

Schools

First Pieces of Temporary Modular High School Arrive in Watertown

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Charlie BreitroseThe first three modular sections that will be part of the temporary Watertown High School were delivered to Moxley Field on Friday. The first sections of modular classrooms arrived at Moxley Field Friday, and will continue to trickle in until there are enough to build a two-story temporary campus to house Watertown High School during the construction of the new building. The interim campus will go up on what was the grassy area near Watertown Middle School. The high schoolers will also utilize an area of the Middle School during their three years at the site. When all are delivered, they will be installed.