Arrests

Police Log: Man Backed Car Into Woman, Driver Hits Parked Construction Vehicle

By |

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

May 5, 9:30 p.m.: A Watertown man who has a harassment prevention order against a neighbor called police to report that the neighbor violated the terms of the order. The neighbor had gone into the basement and damaged some of his property, and was caught on video. Also, the neighbor blocked the man’s car in the driveway. Police responded and determined the neighbor had violated the harassment prevention order.

Government

City Council Tips Hat Toward Who Will be the Next City Manager

By |

City Manager Finalist George Proakis. The decision is not official, but a majority of members of the City Council said that they would choose George Proakis to be the next Watertown City Manager after interviewing the three finalists on Thursday night. The official vote will be made at a future meeting. Proakis, who is Somerville’s Executive Director of Somerville’s Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development, has not been the manager of a city or town, but Councilors said they liked his vision. Councilor Caroline Bays said that all three candidates appealed to her, and said if all three were combined they would have a “miracle manager.”

Around Town

Event Planned to Honor Former City Manager Driscoll’s 45 Years of Service

By |

An event will be held to celebrate former City Manager Michael J. Driscoll’s 45 years of service to the City of Watertown on Saturday May 21, 2022 at the Commander’s Mansion. The event runs from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. and the Commander’s Mansion is located at 440 Talcott Ave., Watertown. There will be a cash bar (cash and card will be accepted). Tickets cost $50 and include cocktail style dinner reception. Program

5 p.m. Cocktail hour begins

6 p.m. Food Stations open

7-8 p.m. Remarks

8 p.m. Dessert

9 p.m. Farewell

For tickets click here.

Homepage Featured

Firefighters Battled 2 Alarm Fire in Two-Family Home on Sycamore Street

By |

A fire damaged damaged a two-family home on Sycamore Street Tuesday night. The Watertown Fire Department responded shortly after 7 p.m.

“The fire was reported after downstairs tenants heard the smoke alarms going off upstairs and went out to find smoke coming from the second floor rear,” said Provisional Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. Crews in #Watertown battling a 2 alarm fire. #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/gBYpGHQRsn— Matt Kaminsky (@matty_kam) May 11, 2022

Engine 3 arrived first and began to attack the fire. Deputy Fire Chief Rob Iannetta, the incident commander, called a second alarm shortly after arriving.

Business

Watertown Restaurant a Finalist in National Contest for “Serving Their Community”

By |

Watertown’s Ritcey East has chosen as one of five finalists in a contest run by Toast for restaurants who make a difference in their communities. The winner will received $10,000, and voting is now open. The restaurant on Waverley Avenue, is “serving up a safe place for the LGBTQ+ community and a fresh take on comfort food,” according to Toast. Ritcey East was nominated by a fan of the restaurant because it is “a small, queer-owned biz that kept all their staff during the pandemic and continues to partner with local charities.” Say hello to our Built for You $10k Contest Finalist, Ritcey East!

City Manager

City Manager Finalists Discuss Police, Libraries and the Senior Center

By |

During Monday’s City Manager Finalist community forum the three candidates shared their thoughts on a number of items, including hiring the next Police Chief, libraries, and the Senior Center and senior services. The three City Manager finalists are: George Proakis (Executive Director of Somerville’s Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development), Norman Khumalo (Hopkinton Town Manager), and John Curran (Billerica Town Manager). Read more about the Finalists here. Police

One of the first duties of the next Watertown City Manager will be to hire a new Police Chief, with Michael Lawn announcing his retirement effective June 3. Curran hired a new police chief in Billerica in December, and said the qualities he would like to see in the next chief are: “They need to know what Police Reform is, they need to know the (Massachusetts) POST (Peace Officer Standards & Training) Commission, they need to be someone who is of the guardian philosophy, and they need to be also someone up to speed in being able to do community policing and getting out into the community.” 

Curran said he believes in the “guardian philosophy” of policing where police are “here to help you, work with you, and get to know you.” Developing relationships with different groups in town is key, he added.