Around Town

“Bar Rescue” Star Opens New Restaurant in Watertown’s Arsenal Yards

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Charlie Breitrose”Bar Rescue” star Jon Taffer designed Taffer’s Tavern, to have a feel like diners have been invited into his home. The restaurant officially opened Sept. 8 at Arsenal Yards. Crowds gathered at Arsenal Yards, onlookers held up cell phones, and people lined up to shake the hand of a celebrity on Thursday when Watertown got a taste of Hollywood. Jon Taffer, the start of Bar Rescue, stopped by Thursday morning for the grand opening of his new restaurant at Arsenal Yards — Taffer’s Tavern.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Seeks Help Finding Next Executive Director

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Watertown Community Foundation Executive Director Jan Singer will be stepping down after leading the organization for five years, and the organization seeks help identifying her successor. Singer agreed to stay on for five months as the Watertown Community Foundation finds its next Executive Director. Among her accomplishments during her time at the foundation she helped secure major multi-year grants to help the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, and establish the Community Resilience Fund. The organization has hired a firm to help with the search and has put out a job description (see it by clicking here). The description begins:

“Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) is seeking an executive director with a passion forcommunity engagement, strong management skills, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Election 2022

See How Watertown Voted in the 2022 State Primary

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Charlie Breitrose

Watertown’s results mostly mirrored the overall vote tally during the Sept. 6 State Primary, but there were a couple where local voters bucked the trend. Like the statewide results, Watertown voters favored Democrat Maura Healey and Republican Geoff Diehl for governor, the GOP’s Leah Allen and the Dem’s Kim Driscoll for lieutenant governor, Democrat Andrea Campbell for Attorney General, and William Galvin, a Dem, for Secretary of State. In two races, Watertown’s results were different from the overall result. Local voters favored Chris Dempsey for the Democratic nomination for Auditor, while Diana DiZoglio was named the winner. In the overall race for Governor’s Council District 3, Watertown’s Marilyn Petitto Devaney, the incumbent, holds a small lead over Mara Dolan.

Arrests

Police Log: Shoplifter Hit Store 2 Days in a Row, Phone Scam Used WPD Number

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

Aug. 23, 8:29 p.m.: Police received a report from a concerned person to check on the welfare of a woman who had left her home and was out in her vehicle. A short time later, police received another call about an erratic driver in the area of Warren Street and Waverley Avenue. The caller stayed on the phone and followed the vehicle, which was driving extremely slowly and would stop in the middle of the road and force other vehicles to go around.

Around Town

Networking Event at Kitchen Design Store Hosted by Watertown Business Coalition

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Come out to one of Watertown’s newest kitchen design stores and network during the Watertown Business Coalition’s September coffee connect. Compass Kitchens, located at 110 Arlington St., will host the event on Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Grab a cup of coffee and a bite to eat and meet people from local business, non-profits and others. Also, hear a short presentation about how the proposed Fair Share Amendment would impact businesses. The event is free of charge

Register by clicking here

Election 2022

2022 State Primary Election Guide, See Who’s on the Ballot, Where to Vote

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Charlie Breitrose

The Massachusetts State Primary will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 6, and Watertown voters will be going to the polls — some at locations different from the previous election. Democrats and Republicans candidates will are running for their party’s nomination for the State Election on Nov. 8. Who’s on the Ballot

Dems have six contested races, including governor, lieutenant governor, and — of local interest — Governor’s Councilor.

Government

Governor’s Council Candidate’s “Dubious” Endorsements; Election Day Coincides With Watertown’s First Day of School

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The race for District 3 Governor’s Council continues to grab headlines as one of the candidates claimed support from Massachusetts politicians that it appears she does not have. Also, the City officials want voters to be aware — with many polling places located at schools — that election day falls on the same day as Watertown students head back to school. During a recent League of Women’s Voters forum District 3 Governor’s Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney, from Watertown, stated that she had endorsements, which were later refuted. The 12-term incumbent faces Concord’s Mara Dolan in the Democratic Primary for the seat on the board which, among other things, votes on the Governor’s nominations for judges and nominees for other boards, and on vote on the Governor’s proposed pardons and commutations of prisoners. In the debate, which was shown by NewTV (Newton’s public access channel), Devaney said she had been endorsed by Congressman Jim McGovern and Democratic State Auditor candidate Chris Dempsey.