Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/author/cbreitro/page/21/)
Check out the properties hosting home seekers this weekend. 56 Bigelow Ave. APT 15, $699,000, 2 bedroom 2 bathroom 1,100 sq. ft. Condo, Open houses: Saturday, May 10 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Sunday, May 11 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
17 Commonwealth Road #1, $770,000, 2 bedroom 2 bathroom 1,273 sq.
Watertown Middle School welcomed parents and students to the first Community STEM Night on April 29. (Screenshot from Watertown Cable video)
Hundreds of parents and students came out to see what the Watertown Public Schools have to offer in the areas of science, technology, math and engineering during the STEM Night at Watertown Middle School. The event, co-hosted by the Watertown Public Schools and the Watertown Business Coalition, took place on the evening of April 29. The WBC said the evening was a success, in the group’s recent newsletter:
“We are still basking in the glow from what was an incredibly successful Community STEM Night held Tuesday, April 29 at Watertown Middle School. In conjunction with Watertown Public Schools and the WBC, more than 160 parents, students and STEM professionals attended to learn more about what STEM opportunities are available in the Watertown Schools.”
Recent episodes of the Little Local Conversations podcast featured Watertown’s Assistant City Manager for Community Development and Planning, Steve Magoon, as well as, the most recent Creative Chats with artist and arts organizer Kristen Kenny. In Little Local Conversations, host Matt Hanna discovers and connects the people, places, stories, and ideas of Watertown. Podcast guests include community leaders, business owners, non-profit organizers, artists and creatives, and other folks doing interesting and important work in the city. Hanna provided the following information about the episodes:
Steve Magoon
Meet Steve Magoon! He’s the Assistant City Manager for Community Development and Planning for the City of Watertown.
Two men were detained by several men identifying themselves as federal officers in Watertown near the Newton line on the morning of May 5, according to a report by Newton-based Fig City News. Fig City’s article was based on accounts of eyewitnesses and two videos of the incident seen by Fig City News journalists. The officials, who wore jackets with “HSI” and “Police” written on them, arrived in five unmarked vehicles. HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) is part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Photos show some of them wearing masks.
A Council committee voted to recommend that Watertown’s Fire Department should have a second ambulance after hearing about the alternatives and cost of running the second in-house ambulance. Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson said having a second ambulance would not just provide quicker response for patients in emergency situations, but would also increase the morale of the WFD’s paramedics. He gave his presentation to the Committee on Budget & Fiscal Oversight on April 29. At a prior meeting, Nicholson told the committee about how calls handled by the contracted private ambulance service, Pro EMS, often does not meet the National Fire Protection Association’s standards of providing emergency medical services within 9 minutes 90 percent of the time. For calls handled by the contracted ambulance, the NFPA’s standard is met 44 percent of the time, Nicholson said in March, while when Watertown’s ambulance responds the standard is met 96 percent of the time.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. April 28: A juvenile was seen taking merchandise from Nike valued at $50. April 28: A woman carrying two tote bags went into Ulta and took two creams worth $125 and $89. April 29: Security at Target spotted a woman taking items. She left the store before police arrived but was located in the area. She had taken $203.60 worth of merchandise.
City Council President Mark Sideris speaks with Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll at the Climate Leader Communities event held in Watertown on May 2. (Courtesy of the DOER)
Watertown’s efforts to promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases were recognized by the State on Friday. The Healey-Driscoll Administration held the celebration of the state’s first 19 certified Climate Leader Communities outside the “crown jewel” of Watertown’s green efforts: the net-zero energy high school now being constructed on Columbia Avenue. The Climate Leader Communities program encourages municipalities to lower municipal emissions, maximize the efficiency of buildings and transportation, and slash energy costs. CLC certified communities can apply for grants of up to $1.15 million for projects that reduce municipal emissions.
Dozens and dozens (and dozens) of homes in Watertown will be hosting open houses over the first weekend in May. 232 Palfrey St., $719,900, 3 bedroom 2 bathroom 1,386 sq. ft. Single Family, Open houses: Friday, May 2 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM Saturday, May 3 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Sunday, May 4 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
177 Common St., $1,075,000, 4 bedroom 2 bathroom 2,452 sq. ft.