Around Town

Watertown Recognizes National Vietnam War Veterans Day

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Charlie BreitroseA giant American Flag flies over the moving Vietnam Ware Memorial at Gore Place in 2016. Watertown held the first annual National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29. The City Council declared the day by passing a proclamation during the March 22 Council Meeting. At the meeting, Watertown Veterans Services Officer Patrick George said the day was about 50 years in the making. Servicemen and women who served in Vietnam did not get the parades or other thanks when they came home, George said.

Police/Fire

Watertown Firefighters Douse Porch Fire That Extended into Home

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A fire struck a home on Riverside Street on Sunday, damaging a porch and part of an apartment. The Watertown Fire Department got a fire alarm at 3:30 p.m. on March 27 from a six-unit building on Riverside Street. They received reports of smoke in the basement. “Members of Group 2 extinguished a small fire on the rear porch, which was extending to the building. No injuries were reported and no residents were displaced,” said the fire report from the Watertown Fire Department.

Entertainment

YardArt Bike Tour Visits Several Locations Around Watertown

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YardArtThe bike tour of YardArt visits a Watertown home with a display. On Sunday, March 27, a group of Watertown residents hopped on their bicycles and took a tour of the homes in town participating in YardArt 2022. “The bike ride on Sunday was a huge success. There were more than 25 cyclists ranging in age from 6-73,” YardArt organizers said. YardArtThe tour of YardArt 2022 started at the Deluxe Town Diner. The tour visited several sites that put in art installations for the second annual spring celebration of art.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Arrested After Resisting Arrest, Shoplifter Caught Wearing the Boots He Stole

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

March 17, 3:03 p.m.: Officers were at Target when they were alerted about a possible shoplifter. One of the employees saw the man take some headphones and a portable charger, and then exit the store. He rode away on a bicycle. The officer saw the same bicycle parked alone in front of Best Buy.

Around Town

Watertown Grad Breaks High Jump Record at Bridgewater State

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Abbi Peterson. Watertown’s Abbi Peterson set the school record at Bridgwater State in the high jump in a recent track meet. The graduate of Watertown High School set the new mark by clearing the height of 5 feet, 7.25 inches (1.71 meters). She placed first at the BSU women’s outdoor track & field team’s season-opening BSU Bears Invitational on March 26. The previous record of 5 feet, 6.5 inches was set by Samantha Richner in 2016.

Government

Deadline to Apply for Residential Property Tax Exemptions Coming Up

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Some Watertown resident qualify for residential tax exemptions, but to take advantage they must apply by April 1. There are several exemptions or reductions for qualifying veterans of the military, as well as for the blind and qualifying seniors. All owners of residential property in Watertown who make it their primary residence can qualify for the residential exemption of more than $3,000. Some of the exemptions are:

Seniors 65+, $1,000

Seniors 70+, surviving spouse or minor child of deceased parent, $350

Blind, $1,000

Community Preservation Tax Exemption, low or moderate income, entire surcharge

Disabled veteran, 10% disability letter, $800

Disabled veteran, letter for permanent loss of one hand, foot or eye, $1,500

Disabled veteran, letter for permanent loss of two hands, feet or eyes, $2,500

Disabled veteran, total disability letter, $3,000

Veteran, died in combat, all property taxes

Veteran, 100% disability letter, $2,000

Senior Tax Work off, up to $1,500

Veteran Tax Work off, up to $1,500

Click here to see the exemptions offered by the City of Watertown with basic qualifications. 

Exemption applications can be submitted to the Watertown Assessor’s office online by clicking here