Schools

Demolition of Old Hosmer School Will Impact Neighbors; Placement of Solar Panels Discussed

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Charlie BreitroseThe new Hosmer School opened in February but the old section still stands. It will be soon be deomolished. The brand new Hosmer Elementary School recently opened its doors, but the main classroom building of the old one remains standing. It will soon be torn down and it will have some impacts on the neighborhood, including cutting off water for a period. Tom Finnegan from Hill International told the School Building Committee on Wednesday that the demolition of the old building will soon begin.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn Announces His Retirement

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown Police Chief Michael Lawn. Chief Michael Lawn will be retiring in early June after six years leading the Watertown Police Department and 32 years working for the WPD. On April 19, Lawn sent a letter to acting Town Manager Tom Tracy informing him of his decision to retire on June 3, 2022. “I started my career with the WPD on October 30, 1989. I have enjoyed my thirty-two plus years working for the WPD and serving the City of Watertown where I grew up,” the letter reads.

Around Town

Watertown Fire Department Names Provisional Fire Chief

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Watertown Fire DepartmentWatertown Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. The City of Watertown announced that Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson will lead the Watertown Fire Department until the next Fire Chief is named. The City of Watertown sent out the following statement:

“Many congratulations to Assistant Chief Ryan Nicholson, who has been appointed to the position of Provisional Fire Chief, effective Sunday, May 1, 2022, until a Permanent Fire Chief is selected.” Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn announced he will be retiring at the end of April. Nicholson became the WFD’s first Assistant Fire Chief in September 2020.

Business

See What Developers May Do on the Former Russo’s Site

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JacobsA view of the four-story life science center proposed for the former Russo’s site at 560 Pleasant St. Preliminary plans for the former Russo’s property on Pleasant Street have been submitted to the Watertown Planning Department, and include a lab/office building, retail space, a parking garage, with publicly-accessible open space in between. Saracen Properties and BentallGreenOak submitted the plans on April 7, and the group will have a developer’s conference with Planning staff about the project on the 4.82-acre property. Plans show a life science center, retail, and publicly-accessible open space. The project will have at least one community meeting before going to the Planning Board for consideration.

Around Town

Registration Open for Watertown Recreation Spring Programs

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Watertown Recreation has opened registration for its Spring 2022 programs, including youth sports, crafts, and hands-on chemistry projects. For younger children, programs include Pre-K outdoor sports, junior crafts, and the Potion Maker Club where they can participate in hands-on chemistry projects. Also, all-sports programs for elementary school students. Recreation is also offering youth tennis, racket sports, futsal, wrestling, and street hockey programs.

For the adults, there are tennis and pickleball programs.

See the Watertown Recreation Department’s Spring 2022 brochure by clicking here. Register at the Recreation Department office in City Hall, 149 Main St., or online by clicking here.