Arrests

Police Log: Moped Thief Caught Nearby, Driver Faces OUI Charge After Striking Hydrant & Tree

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

June 6, 12:34 a.m.: A vehicle went off the road on Pleasant Street and struck a street sign, a fire hydrant, and a tree. Police responded and found a 2002 Honda Accord on a grassy area near the Watertown Mews apartments. The only occupant of the vehicle was standing outside the car. He was checked for injuries but had none.

Around Town

Civil War Veteran Gets Long Awaited Headstone in Time for Memorial Day

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Bill McEvoyThe new grave marker for James Fleming, a Lt. Colonel who served in the Civil War. Local historian Bill McEvoy applied for the long delayed grave marker this year. When the veterans buried in Watertown were honored during Memorial Day week 2022, one of the graves at the Catholic Mount Auburn Cemetery had a gleaming white headstone, but the veteran buried there died more than 150 years ago. The grave belongs to James Fleming, who served in the Civil War and died in 1869. He has been buried in the cemetery, which sits at the end of Cottage Street in East Watertown, but it did not have a marker.

City Council

Council Holding Special Meeting on Creating Historic District, Changing Name of Delta & Community Preservation Projects

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s City Hall. Three items will be covered during a special City Council meeting next week: a petition to create a historic district on Main Street, a petition to change the name of the delta in Watertown Square, and to consider the recommended project from the Community Preservation Committee. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 21 at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chamber in Town Hall, 149 Main St. The name of the delta will discussed first, followed by the historic district proposal, and then the CPC projects. People can also participate in the meeting on Zoom.

Affordable Housing

Council Seeks Payments from Developments to go to Affordable Housing

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Watertown officials will request special legislation to be approved that would allow the City to charge a fee to new commercial developments with the money going to a fund to create affordable housing. The City seeks what is known as a linkage fee, which is based on the impact of commercial development on the demand for affordable housing, acting Deputy City Manager Steve Magoon told the City Council on Tuesday. The special legislation will have to be approved by the State Legislature. “Non-residential projects are creating demand for affordable housing for people who work in Watertown,” Magoon said. “We have done a study to look at that impact and adjusted it by the nexus between that demand being created by projects and the cost that it represents to us as a municipality, and a fee that would be charged.”

Around Town

Farewell for Two Recreation Employees to be Held at City Hall

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The Watertown Recreation Department will say good bye to two employees who will be leaving the department. They will be honored at a celebration to be held on Friday, June 17 in City Hall. The event is free and open to the public. Recreation Director Peter Centola sent out the following announcement:

After close to 5 years as Recreation Supervisor, Jim Coutoumas will be moving on to greener pastures as Assistant Director of Recreation in Canton. We are grateful for Jim’s outstanding service to our department and our Watertown Community.

2023 City Budget

Council Agrees on Contract for New Manager, Budget Approved & Town Auditor Retiring

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Watertown Cable Access TVCity Manager Finalist George Proakis. George Proakis, Watertown’s next City Manger, will start working in August, after an agreement on a contract was reached with the City Counil this week. The City Council unanimously voted to approve hiring George Proakis on Tuesday night. At the previous meeting, on May 24 the Council agreed to offer Proakis the job and enter contract negotiations. The Council met in executive session prior to the June 14 public session to discuss the contract and came to an agreement which includes a salary of $217,500, said Council President Mark Sideris.