Around Town

Watertown’s Goose Dog is on the Job!

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City of WatertownVee, Watertown’s goose control dog, has arrived in town! Vee, the dog brought to Watertown for geese control, has arrived in town and has already gotten down to work. The Watertown DPW’s Parks/Cemetery Supervisor Bob DiRicco and his wife picked Vee up at the training facility in Leesburg, Virginia, and drove her back to Watertown over the Patriots Day Weekend. On Tuesday Vee started work. City of WatertownVee and the DPW’s Bob DiRico visited City Manager George Proakis in City Hall Tuesday.

Schools

Watertown Superintendent Given Raise, Makes Salary Close to Average for Comparable Districts

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Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston. Watertown Superintendent of Schools Dede Galdston received a 3 percent raise from the School Committee, which will put her around average for comparable school districts. The raise makes her salary $193,636.91 for Fiscal Year 2023, which runs through the end of June. The Superintendent deserves the raise, said City Council President Mark Sideris, who works with her on three boards. “I believe that that is a very reasonable request and I believe that from where I sit in positions on the School Building and School committees and the City Council, we have a superintendent who goes above and beyond constantly,” Sideris said.

Sports

See How Watertown Runners Finished in the 2023 Boston Marathon

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The fastest Watertown runner in the 2023 Boston Marathon finished in under 2:45 and broke the top 1,000 runners, and the fastest woman was in the top 900 female participants. Ryan Abo completed the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Copley Square in 2:44:14, and was the 988th fastest overall and 940th fastest male runner. Erin Jaffke ran the course in 3:11:56, which made her the 875th fastest woman in the 127th Marathon. Deborah Downs ran the 76th fastest time for female runners age 45-49, finishing in 3:17:34. Peter Tagge’s time of 4:00:17 was 251st ranked in male runners age 65-69.

Government

This Week: Council Discussing Whether to Rename for Delta in Watertown Square

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Watertown City Hall

This week, the City Councilors will discuss whether to rename the delta in Watertown Square. Also, the Affordable Housing Trust will look at housing priorities for the City’s ARPA funds, and the Board of Health and School Building Committee also have meetings this week. Since 1940, the grassy area with large trees in Watertown Square has been known as Columbus Delta. In June 2022, the City Council voted to consider renaming the area after being petitioned by a resident. On Tuesday, the Council’s Committee on Public Works will make a recommendation on the petition asking to the rename the Columbus Delta.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Scammer Posed as Customs Agent, Car Stolen from Gas Station

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

April 8, 6:43 p.m.: A shoplifter at Target grabbed a bike buggy, left the store without paying and fled. Police received a description, and they located the man walking toward the bike path behind Target. He had hidden the buggy behind a dumpster near the path, but officers found it and returned it to the store. Police also determined the man was wanted on a warrant from South Boston District Court for possession of a Class A drug, possession of a Class B drug, and intent to distribute a Class B drug.

Around Town

Helicopters Flying Over Watertown for Marathon & on Friday for Search for Kayaker

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(UPDATED on April 16 at 8:10 a.m.)

Helicopters have been flying over the Watertown area this weekend, both in preparation for the Boston Marthon and in the search for a kayaker reported missing . Friday night a State Police helicopter patrolled over Watertown after a kayaker was reported missing. The man was later found safe at his home,.according tonl Watertown Police, who assisted with the search. The City of Watertown announced that helicopters will be flying over Watertown from in the days leading up to the Boston Marathon as well as Marathon Monday. The City sent out the following announcement:

Even though the Boston Marathon does not go through Watertown, if you see low flying helicopters in the sky, please be aware that they are conducting surveillance/safety checks along the Marathon route.

Around Town

Watertown Man Running First Marathon in Honor of Friend Lost to Gun Violence

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Shane Garey, left, will be running the Boston Marathon for the first time. He is on the West End House Dawnn for Peace Team. On Monday, Watertown’s Shane Garey will run his first Boston Marathon, and will do so to raise money for a youth center named for a friend of his who died from gun violence. Garey grew up in Brighton, and said the Marathon has always been one of his favorite occasions. “I’ve always wanted to run it, growing up in Boston.