54 Bus

MBTA Would Add New Bus Routes in Watertown as Part Revamping of Bus Service

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Charlie BreitroseAn MBTA bus in Watertown. The MBTA has proposed some major changes to its bus service, including more frequent runs for the 70 Bus and the addition of two routes: one serving Newton and Waltham, and another that goes from Riverside Station in Newton to Arlington and includes Belmont. The changes are part of the Better Bus Program, the MBTA’s proposal to revamp parts of the bus system to meet the changing needs of the Greater Boston area due to shifting demographics, new employment centers, increased traffic congestion and changing travel patterns, according to the MBTA’s website. Recently, the MBTA released a proposed map of the new bus routes (click here to see an interactive map). The changes impacting Watertown include increasing the frequency of the 70 Bus from the current service, every 30 minutes or less during midday and on weekdays, to every 15 minutes or less seven days a week under the proposed plan.

Adopt an Island

Watertown Rotary Beautifying Area as Part of Adopt an Island Area

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Rotary Club of WatertownRotary Club of Watertown members John Nealon, Maria Papadopoulos, Kitty Mennilli, and Ruth Rudnick cleaned the island in the middle of the Rotary at Common and Church streets. Rotary maintains the area as part of the Adopt an Island program. Recently, members of the Rotary Club of Watertown grabbed some gardening tools to help spruce up a traffic island in Watertown. Watertown Rotary has taken responsibility for weeding the rotary on Common Street as part of the Department of Public Works’ Adopt an Island Program, said Maria Papadopoulos of the Rotary Club. “Passers by were thanking us which was heartwarming!”

Bud's Goods

Bud’s Goods, Watertown’s Second Cannabis Dispensary, Opening Soon

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Bud’s GoodsBud’s Goods, Watertown’s second marijuana dispensary, will soon be opening on Pleasant Street. Watertown’s second recreational marijuana dispensary will open soon on the west side of town. Owners want it to have a homey feel and it will be the only “small cannabis” operator. Bud’s Goods is slated to open on May 20, according to the store’s social media. The dispensary is located in the mixed use development at 330 Pleasant St.

Around Town

Community Forum on Watertown High School to Discuss Traffic Studies, Swing Space

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Ai3 ArchtiectsA rendering of what the new Watertown High School will look like (note the colors have not been settled). The latest community forum for the Watertown High School project will include a discussion of the final traffic studies for both the new WHS and the temporary location at Moxley Field. The forum, which is the 10th for the project, will be held on Wednesday, May 18 at approximately 7 p.m. It will follow the School Building Committee meeting, which starts at 6 p.m. Participants can join remotely via Zoom. Other subjects will include review of the swing space projects, a look at the project schedule and there will be an opportunity for questions and comments. The presentation for the forum will be posted on the Watertown Building for the Future site prior to the meeting.

Arrests

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

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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

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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.”