Police/Fire

Police Log: Woman Wearing Wig Tries to Cash Check, Man Seen Taking Baby Monitors on Several Dates

By |

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

March 27, 8:47 p.m.: Officers on Arsenal Street saw a vehicle driving westbound dragging two construction cones under the front bumper and speeding. The cones came from a construction site farther down Arsenal, near Louise Street. Police pulled the vehicle over and the driver had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. He performed field sobriety tests and did not pass four.

Government

This Week: Main St. Project at Planning Board, School Budget & Council Considers Linkage Fees

By |

Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s City Hall. There are some big meetings this week, including the first time a City board will consider the major mixed-use project on Main Street. The School Budget will be presented by the Superintendent which currently faces a deficit of nearly $1.4 million. And, the City Council will discuss the proposed linkage fees on developments to create affordable housing. Superintendent Dede Galdston will present her recommended FY24 School Budget to the School Committee on Monday, April 10.

Sports

College Sports: Pitcher Earns Win, High Jumper Wins for Bridgewater, Senior Signs to Play Field Hockey

By |

Former WHS player Anthony Panza got the win for Framingham State’s baseball squad. (Courtesy of Framingham State Athletics). A pair of former Watertown High School athletes have excelled in college sports recently, and another will be playing at the next level next year. Baseball

Anthony Panza, a WHS grad, closed out a shutout for Framingham State on April 7, and notched a win for the Rams over Bridgwater State. The decision was the first win for the senior, who has two saves in eight appearances along with 22 strike outs, just one walk, and an ERA of 0.00.

Around Town

Developers of Life Science Projects Make Case to Ease the Impact of Linkage Fees

By |

Elkus Manfredi ArchitectsA view from Water Street of the life sciences building being built by Boston Development Group at 66 Galen St. Developers working on life science projects in Watertown say the proposed linkage fees, being considered by the City Council, could put the City at a disadvantage compared to communities not charging the fees, and it comes at a bad time. They propose some changes to how they pay the $11.12 per square foot, which has been earmarked to create affordable housing. At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 11, Councilors will discuss and are scheduled to vote on the linkage fee rules. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Watertown has already received approval from the State Legislature and Gov. Charlie Baker to charge up to $18 in linkage fees.

Around Town

Watertown Rotary Club Growing, Adding New Initiatives

By |

Charlie BreitroseWatertown Rotary President Kim Severino pins new member Christian Dallas at a ceremony on March 28. Coming out of the pandemic, the Rotary Club of Watertown struggled with attendance at its weekly lunch meetings and events, but recently, the club’s membership has started growing. On March 28, three new members were inducted as Rotary Club members in a ceremony held at Demos Watertown: Diane DiMascio Cinar of CK Realty Group, Christian Dallas of Dallas Insurance, and Massimo Zeppa of Keller Williams Realty. All three of the new members said that Rotary’s service mission attracted them. “I am so happy to be a Rotary member,” said DiMascio Cinar.

Around Town

Support Building for Removing Watertown Dam from Charles River

By |

Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Dam near Watertown Square slows the flow of the Charles River. A group is advocating removing the dam. The group pushing to have the Watertown Dam removed from the Charles River received a major grant, and the effort got the support of the Charles River Chamber of Commerce. The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) has appealed to the Watertown City Council to support removing the dam located just west of the Galen Street Bridge in Watertown Square. The decision will be made at the state level, because it falls under the control of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).