Schools

Council Approves $5 Million to “Bridge” Watertown High School Project Before Start of Construction

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Ai3 ArchitectsA mockup of what the main entrance to the new Watertown High School could look like from a presentation designers made to the School Building Committee in September 2021. As the new Watertown High School continues to be designed, the Town Council approved $5.2 million to bridge the gap before the final approval of funding is given by the state and to keep construction on schedule. The money will help pay for the design of the swing spaces that will be used while the school is under construction, as well as to cover the increased amount of time that it took to come up with the final design, Christy Murphy of Compass Project Management told the Council Tuesday night. The money to cover the $5.2 million came out of the Watertown High School Stabilization Fund, said Town Manager Michael Driscoll said. The Council voted 8-0 to support the use of the funds.

Around Town

Tune Into the First Watertown Candidate Forum Thursday Night Featuring Council At-Large Candidates

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Charlie Breitrose

The Watertown Election is less than five weeks away, and you can hear from the candidates running for Councilor At-Large on Thursday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m.

The forum will be broadcast live on Watertown Cable Access TV, and also the public can join on Zoom. It is co-hosted by Watertown News and Watertown Cable. The moderator will be Jim Vershbow, co-anchor of the Watertown Weekly News on Watertown Cable. The candidates will give introductions and closing statements, but most of the night will be focused on answering a series of questions.

Around Town

Watertown Boys & Girls Club Staffer Wins Award for Work During Pandemic

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Watertown Boys & Girls ClubWatertown Boys & Girls Club Aquatics Director Erin Hickey, right, is congratulated for winning an award by Club Executive Director Renee Gaudette. A staff member at the Watertown Boys & Girls Club received an award for her work at the club. Aquatics Director Erin Hickey was named the Association of Boys & Girls Club Professionals Yankee Chapter Program Professional of the Year. Hickey began working at the club since she was age 15, and in 2019 she was promoted to Aquatics Director, said Renee Gaudette, Executive Director of the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. During the pandemic, Hickey was able to maintain a robust aquatics program.

Schools

Watertown School Officials Want Input on How to Spend Millions in Pandemic Relief Funds

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The Watertown Public Schools will get close to $3 million to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and School officials want to hear from the community about what sorts of things they would like to see the money spent on. As part of the federal American Rescue Plan, the Watertown Public Schools received an allocation of $2,868,929 which can be spent through June 2024. It is part of the third pandemic relief package for schools, known as Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III or ESSER III. The money can be spent to support safe reopening of schools and sustaining safe schools, as well as helping students with their academic, social, emotional and mental health needs. Superintendent Dede Galdston said that the grant application for ESSER III requires feedback from residents.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Faces OUI Charge After Rolling Vehicle, Car Stolen from Auto Shop

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

Sept. 16, 10:54 p.m.: A member of the public reported seeing a person sleeping in their vehicle on Arlington Street near Arsenal Street. When police arrived they found a man in a black Lexus sedan who was asleep at the wheel with the vehicle in drive and his foot on the brake. The car was stopped in the travel lane.

Around Town

See Photos of the Fun and Games at the 2021 Watertown Faire on the Square

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Charlie BreitroseThe Faire on the Square returned to Saltonstall Park in 2021, with all the fun and games. Saltonstall Park came to life Saturday with the return of the Faire on the Square. After a year off due to the pandemic, the annual celebration returned to Watertown in 2021. Jennifer KavanaughMany of the dozens of candidates running for office in Watertown this fall had booths at the Faire. A variety of bands performed on the Main Stage.

Homepage Featured

Watertown Field Hockey Working on the Basics With Hopes it Will Pay Off at the End of the Season

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s Molly Driscoll fights for the ball against Melrose at Victory Field on Thursday. She had an assist in the win. Watertown High School’s field hockey team has jumped out to a hot start, winning their first four games without allowing a goal, but the team is not satisfied and looks for ways to improve their performance. Thursday, Watertown defeated Melrose 7-0, led by a hat trick by Aislin Devaney. Four others scored goals: Taylor Lambo, Lizzie Loftus, Maggie Driscoll and Rachel Egan, and assists were added by Ally Fujix, Maggie Driscoll (2), Loftus (2), Molly Driscoll and Egan.

Around Town

See the Candidates for Councilor At-Large at Forum Hosted by Watertown News, Watertown Cable

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In the first of three candidate forums for the Watertown Election, the candidates for Councilor At-Large will be appearing live at the virtual event on Thursday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m.

The forum will be broadcast live on Watertown Cable Access TV, and also the public can join on Zoom. It is co-hosted by Watertown News and Watertown Cable. The moderator will be Jim Vershbow, co-anchor of the Watertown Weekly News on Watertown Cable. The Councilors At-Large are elected by the entire town.