Police/Fire

Knife Wielding Man Tried to Rob Watertown Massage Spa, Resembles Suspect in Similar Incident

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Images of the suspect or suspects in armed robberies of massage businesses in Watertown, on the left, and Cambridge on the right. Police said it could be the same man. (Photos courtesy of the Watertown Police Department). On May 16, a man came into a Watertown massage spa carrying a knife and demanded money from an employee. Watertown Police said the suspect resembles a man wanted for robbing a massage business in Cambridge.

Government

Council Denies Zoning Change for Property with Church Near Belmont St.

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A Google Earth image of the former Belmont Baptist Church. Developers sought a zoning change to allow for the building to be preserved and to develop other parts of the property. A majority of the City Council could not be convinced that the zoning should be changed for a parcel with a former church on Templeton Parkway. The change would have protected the building from being torn down, but also could allow a range of uses from education to restaurant or commercial, as well as housing. The proposal to create a Religious/School Building Overlay District at 126-134 Templeton Parkway, a property next to Belmont Street that includes the former Belmont Baptist Church building.

Sports

Watertown Grad Makes Track All-Region Team, Competing at NCAAs

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Watertown’s Abbi Peterson earned All-East Region honors, and will compete in the NCAA Div. III Outdoor Track & Field Championships. (Photo courtesy of Bridgewater State Athletics). Bridgewater State senior Abbi Peterson, a Watertown High School grad, was named to the NCAA Division III All-East Region honors from the U.S. Track & Field & Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). She will be competing in the NCAA Championships on Thursday.

Around Town

Former Recreation Director Tom Sullivan Has Left His Mark on Watertown’s Parks and Youth

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Charlie BreitroseRecreation Department staff current and past: (from left) current Director Peter Centola, Assistant Director Ernie Thebado and former Director Tom Sullivan. From a young age, Tom Sullivan had an interest in parks, athletic fields and gyms. He even took detours on trips to get a closer look at something at a park in another community that caught his eye. On May 3, 1973, Sullivan walked into his office on the top floor of Town Hall (where the Planning Department is now), to start his career as Watertown Recreation Director. He served in that position for 36 years, and continues to lend a hand and provide advice 50 years later. Sullivan had worked for three years at what was known as the Waltham Boys Club prior to taking the job in Watertown.

Police/Fire

City’s Motions for New Trial & Reduce Damages Fail in Sexual Discrimination Suit by Female Police Officer

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(Note: The original story incorrectly said the City appealed the original decision. The City filed post-trial motions.)

A Middlesex Superior Court Judge denied the City of Watertown’s motions to seek a new trial in the civil suit case filed by a former female police officer who won her suit against the Police Department for sexual discrimination and retaliation. On May 19, Judge John P. Pappas released his ruling on the post-trial motions to the case in which a jury ruled in favor of Kathleen Donohue in November. The jury in that case awarded Watertown’s first female detective $1 million in punitive damages, plus $2.26 million in future earnings and $1.22 million to cover her legal fees and costs. Pappas denied the new trial or to overturn the jury’s decision and/or award.

Around Town

Six People with Watertown Ties Made Charles River Chamber’s List of Most Influential Business Leaders of Color

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Half a dozen people living or working in Watertown made the list of Most Influential Business Leaders of Color chosen by Charles River Chamber of Commerce, which focused on both established leaders and emerging ones. The search for people of color making a positive contribution to the economic fabric of businesses and non-profits in the suburbs west of Boston began in January when the Chamber put out a call for nominations, said President Greg Reibman of the Charles River Chamber. The list was culled down from close to 200 nominations for either the “50 Most Influential Leaders” or “Emerging Leaders” lists. To qualify, honorees have to work and/or sit on a board for a business or nonprofit that is physically located in Newton, Needham, Watertown, Waltham, Wellesley, Natick, or Framingham. “Then we leaned on an eminent panel of judges to curate our final lists, in partnership with Colette Phillips and Get Konnected!”

Government

This Week: ZBA Hears Main Street Project, Budget Hearings, Library Director Search

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A view of the project proposed for 104-126 Main St. viewed from Main Street. (Illustration by Icon Architecture)

The six-story retail and commercial project on Main Street will be heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals, the City Council will hold two budget hearings, and the Library Board of Trustees will continue discussing the process for hiring a new Library Director. The Zoning Board of Appeals will hear the mixed use project at 104-126 Main St. that was discussed by the Planning Board in April and May.