Around Town

George Proakis Appointed Watertown’s Next City Manager

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Watertown Cable Access TVCity Manager Finalist George Proakis. The City Council unanimously voted to appoint George Proakis as Watertown’s next City Manager on Tuesday night. He will succeed Michael Driscoll, who retired in January after 29 years in the position. The selection of Proakis was no surprise, with a majority of the Councilors indicated they favored him over the two other finalists after interviewing them on May 12. Proakis will be coming from the City of Somerville, where he has been the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development for the past 3.5 years, and was the director of Planning and Zoning for nearly 9 years.

Business

Italian Eatery With Spots in Brookline & Newport Moving Into Watertown Square

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Newport Restaurant GroupBar ‘Cino is slated to move into the space previously occupied by Stellina Restaurant. An Italian restaurant will be taking over the space previously occupied by Stellina Restaurant in Watertown Square. Bar ‘Cino (pronounced “chee-no”) is part of a the Newport Restaurant Group that includes other locations of Bar ‘Cino in Brookline and Newport, R.I., the Papa Razzi restaurants in Wellesley and Concord, as well as the Castle Hill Inn in Newport. The Brookline menu includes pizzas, pastas, entrees, bruschetta, and salads, among other dishes. The restaurant will be located at 47 Main St.

Around Town

Friends of Watertown Group Seeks to Help Those in Need, Bring People Together

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Friends of WatertownVictor Lattanzi of Friends of Watertown visited the St. Patrick’s/Sacred Heart Food Pantry to make a donation. The Friends of Watertown formed during the Pandemic with the goal of helping people, bring people together, and to maintain friendships and traditions. Founder Victor Lattanzi said the 501 3C non-profit organization will be making donations to local groups, host events and more. “The Friends of Watertown is partnering with community leaders in Watertown, i.e., clergy, teachers and police in order to have a direct line to those who may be suffering in silence and could benefit from charitable offerings in the form of food, school supplies and other identified necessities,” Lattanzi said.

Arsenal on the Charles

Hundreds Pay Tribute to “Fiscal Driscoll” at Town Manager’s Retirement Party

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Charlie BreitroseState Rep. John Lawn recalls working with Town Manager Michael Driscoll at Driscoll’s retirement celebration at the Commander’s Mansion. Sitting with Driscoll is his wife Jane. Around 200 people crowded into a tent outside the Commander’s Mansion Saturday evening to thank and pay tribute to the man known as “Fiscal Driscoll,” for his leadership of Watertown’s government for nearly three decades. Along with his financial prowess, people recalled former Town Manager (City Manager for the last few months) Michael Driscoll’s detailed memory, his ability to make the tough decision even when unpopular, and his devotion to the community he worked for for 45 years. The list of what was accomplished under his leadership is long, and Council President Mark Sideris read the City Council’s proclamation, which included the highlights: Starting curbside recycling, the Faire on the Square, the free Summer Concert Series, and the Watertown Farmers Market.

Around Town

Find Out About Plans for Sterritt Lumber Site at Community Meeting

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148 Waltham Owner LLCA rendering of the proposed office/lab build proposed to be built at 148 Waltham St., the former Sterritt Lumber site. The developers of the former Sterritt Lumber site on Waltham Street will host a community meeting on May 26 to discuss a proposed office/lab building. The owners sent out the following announcement:

Please join 148 Waltham Owner LLC for a review and discussion of conceptual plans anddetails for the redevelopment and revitalization of the site at 148 Waltham Street. The use of the site is being transitioned to Office Research and Development/Lab-Life Sciences incorporating publicly accessible open space and public realm enhancements as part of the development plans. (note: postings will be available online on the City website prior to the meeting)

We will be hosting an interactive meeting on Thursday, May 26th at 6:30 p.m. and hope you areable to join us for the presentation.

Development

City Wants Input on Comprehensive Plan, Providing Multiple Opporunties

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City of WatertownA screenshot of the interactive map where people can leave ideas for what they would like to see in Watertown. It is part of the process for updating the Comprehensive Plan, the City’s key planning document. The process of updating Watertown’s key planning document, the Comprehensive Plan, has begun, and people who live and/or work in the City can give their input in a variety of ways. City officials held a community forum on Thursday, but those who were unable to attend can still give their opinions and ideas, said Watertown’s Assistant Director of Planning Gideon Schreiber. The City adopted the Comprehensive Plan in 2015, and now the document is being updated.