Around Town

Watch Party & Fundraiser for Armenia’s Euro 2024 Qualifier at Donohue’s

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Supporters of the Armenian soccer team can join other fans at a watch party for the Euro 2024 qualifier against Turkey at Watertown’s Donohue’s Bar & Grill. The event is hosted by Armenian Sports News and proceeds benefit the Armenian Para-Athletic Federation. Armenian Sports News sent out the following announcement on its Instagram page:

Come to Donohue’s in Watertown to watch the Armenian national team in action in the 2024 European Championship qualifiers as they take on rival Turkey on March 25 at 12:00 PM. Come for food, drinks and a raffle for prizes. Tickets are $30 (click here for tickets) and proceeds go to the Armenian Para-Athletic Federation, who is training wounded veterans from the Artsakh War in different sporting disciplines in order to give them a new outlook on life.

Around Town

Court Renovation & Multi-Sport Rink at Moxley Field Approved

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CDM SmithA drawing of the approved project to resurface the basketball and tennis courts at Moxley Field and add a multi-sport rink with boards. The area of Moxley Field which now has two tennis courts and a basketball court will be renovated, and one of the tennis courts will be replaced by a multi-sport rink. On March 16, the City Council approved the project, which had been in the queue for capital projects since Fiscal Year 2016, said City Manager George Proakis. The $1.38 million project includes the demolition and removal of the current courts, and the creation of the new courts and the rink. The grassy area of Moxley Field will be the temporary home of Watertown High School while the new building is constructed.

Police/Fire

Watertown Fire Department Remembers Fallen Firefighter Six Years Later

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Watertown Firefighters honored their fallen colleague, Joe Toscano, who died fighting a fire on March 17, 2017. Friday, the Watertown Fire Department marked the sixth anniversary of losing one of their own in the line of duty. On March 17, 2017, Firefighter Joseph Toscano died during the aftermath of a fire on Merrifield Avenue. On Friday, Watertown Firefighters stood at attention and observed a moment of silence during a brief ceremony at the intersection that now bears Toscano’s name — Merrifield and Bigelow avenues. Joe Toscano

Toscano served as the aid to retired Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn during the time Quinn was a deputy chief.

Government

Deadline Approaching to Take Comprehensive Plan Survey

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The City of Watertown released the draft Comprehensive Plan update in late February and held an open house on March 9. Those who did not have a chance to comment on the plan then can still do so by filling out an online survey. The deadline to fill out the survey is Friday, March, 24. The survey also covers the draft Open Space and Recreation Plan. “Your participation will help the City better understand your interests and incorporate your ideas in the plans and their implementation,” the City’s announcement said.

Around Town

State Climate Bill to “Make the Polluters Pay” Kicked Off in Watertown

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Charlie BreitroseEnvironmental activists from around Massachusetts gathered at the Commander’s Mansion to celebrate the filing of the Polluters Pay Bill in the State Legislature on Friday. Environmental advocates gathered in Watertown to celebrate the filing of a new bill in the Massachusetts State House that would make the companies that produced the oil that created greenhouse gases pay for the impact on the climate. The event took place at the Commander’s Mansion, which is located in a former Federal Superfund Site — the U.S. Army’s Watertown Arsenal — because co-sponsors liken the legislation to a Climate Change Superfund. The bill is known as the Polluters Pay Bill, said Watertown State Rep. Steve Owens, who is a co-sponsor along with State Sen. Jamie Eldridge. “The principle of the Polluters Pay Bill is very simple: those who made the mess should be the ones to clean it up,” Owens said.

Around Town

Jon Taffer in Town to Visit His Restaurant, Sees Area as Strong Market

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Charlie BreitroseJon Taffer meets patrons at Taffer’s Tavern in Watertown. TV host turned restaurateur Jon Taffer recently stopped by the eatery in Watertown that bears his name: Taffer’s Tavern. Just five months after opening, the restaurant in Arsenal Yards has been doing well, as is the Boston area, he said. The host of Paramount Network’s Bar Rescue has fond memories of the Boston area, having run a nightclub and bar convention from an office in Newton. “I have always loved this city.