Around Town

YMCA Naming New Building at Summer Camp for Former Watertown Teacher

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West Suburban YMCAThe new Loch Lodge at the West Suburban YMCA’s Camp Chickami is nearing completion. The multipurpose building is named after former Watertown teacher Jim Lochiatto. Jim Lochiatto, or Mr. Loch, made an impact on many Watertown children as an art teacher and working at the YMCA’s Camp Chickami, and now he is being honored by having a new building at the Y’s summer camp named for him. Since the 1950s, the West Suburban YMCA has run summer camps at its property in Wayland. It became a special place for Lochiatto having spent many years there, first as a camper and later working there.

Entertainment

Get Into the Swing at the Watertown Summer Concert Wednesday Night

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The Rico Bar Band featuring the JJR Horns will be playing in Watertown at a free concert. This week’s Saltonstall Park Summer Concert features a a band nominated as Swing Band of The Year by the National Swing Awards. The Rico Barr Band Featuring the JJR Horns will perform Wednesday, July 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the park next to City Hall (149 Main St.). The concert is free. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy the music.

Arrests

Police Log: Juveniles Hit Golf Balls a Car, Details of Home Break-ins

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

July 14: Watertown Police identified a pair who had shoplifted at Best Buy on March 16. A man and woman arrived in a car and went into a store. They took an HP All-in-One computer valued at $1,260. Using surveillance police were able to see the two get into a vehicle and leave.

Complete Streets

City, MBTA Work Together to Make Crosswalk Improvements on Main Street

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A crossing on a busy stretch of Main Street in Watertown will be improved after the City of Watertown entered an agreement with the MBTA to share responsibility for the project. Improvements will be be made in the area of Main Street and Whites Avenue (near the corner of Salstonstall Park), including making bus stop more accessible, upgrading the crosswalk with sidewalk bump outs, and rectangular flashing beacons, said Acting Deputy City Manager Steve Magoon. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, which the City Council approved at its July 12 meeting, the MBTA will fund and perform the design of the project. The City will fund and perform the construction, Magoon said. Public Works Superintendent Greg St.

Police/Fire

Five Watertown Fire Department Promotions, New Position Filled

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The City of Watertown provided the following information:

The Provisional Chief of Department is pleased to announce that Acting City Manager Thomas Tracy has made the following promotions effective Sunday, July 17, 2022:

Promotions

Lieutenant Ralph Mele to Permanent Fire CaptainFirefighter Brendan Malloy to Permanent Fire LieutenantCaptain Brian Donovan to Temporary Deputy Fire ChiefLieutenant Paul LaFauci to Temporary Fire CaptainFirefighter Jason Capello to Temporary Fire Lieutenant

Deputy Fire Chief Arthur Geswell Jr. has been selected as Interim Assistant Fire Chief. Please join us in wishing these newly promoted Fire Officers continued success in their new positions. Lab Safety Officer

We are pleased to announce a new position of Lab Safety Officer, and introduce Captain Ralph Mele, the first to hold the position. The Lab Safety Officer is responsible for lab inspections, code enforcement, and registration. He will work to ensure the safety of lab employees, emergency responders, and the general public.

Around Town

Watertown Pizzeria Gets Review from Barstool Sports Founder

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A screenshot from the YouTube video of Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports trying a slice from Watertown’s Stella’s Pizza. Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports recently stopped by a Watertown pizza institution for one of his One-Bite Reviews. He tried a cheese pizza from Stella’s Pizza on Mt. Auburn Street in Coolidge Square in Watertown, and Portnoy’s review can be summarized when he said, “It’s just good.” However, Stella’s fans may be disappointed by his final verdict.