Government

Town Manager Receives Pay Raise in Final Year on the Job

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The Town Council gave Town Manager Michael Driscoll a raise, and some kind words as he nears the end of his long career in Watertown. On Tuesday, the Town Council approved a pair of 2 percent annual raises and an additional 1.5 percent performance bonus for Driscoll. The pay increases moved his salary from $210,000 in Fiscal Year 2020 to $217,415 in Fiscal Year 2021 (which ended on June 30, 2021), and $221,765 in the current Fiscal Year, FY 2022. In June, Driscoll announced he would retire at the end of January 2022 from the job he has held for 29 years, and after 45 years working for the Town of Watertown. To change the Town Manager’s salary the Town Council must pass an ordinance.

Real Estate

Watertown Has a Wide Variety of Open Houses This Weekend

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Watertown has dozens of open houses this weekend. $459,500 – 31 Cottage St. Unit 1, Condo – Low-Rise, 882 Living Area Sq. Ft., 4 Room, 2 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 11-1 Sunday 11-1

$650,000 – 15 Beacon Park, Single Family – Detached Bungalow, 1,850 Living Area Sq. Ft., 7 Room, 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathroom, Open House: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12-2

$999,900 – 28 Prentiss St.

Arrests

Boston Man Busted on Firearms Charges After Rolling Car in Watertown

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A Boston man faces charges for firearm offenses after he got into an accident in Watertown. On Aug. 2, at about 4:45 a.m., Watertown Police went to Watertown Square for a vehicle that had rolled over during an accident. Both people involved said they were OK, and one of them, later identified as Jahvon Burton, had cuts to the head and body, said Watertown Police Sgt. Ken Swift.

Entertainment

See the Updated Watertown Summer Concert Schedule, New Band Added

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Southbound TrainSouthbound Train will perform at Watertown’s Saltonstall Concert Series on Aug. 18 with free dance lesson beforehand. Due to some weather cancellations, a number of Watertown summer concerts have been rescheduled and the revamped lineup includes two weeks when the Town will host a pair of performances, including a new act. The Compaq Big Band was moved from early August to Aug. 13.

Entertainment

Big Band Will Play Rescheduled Concert This Week at Saltonstall Park

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The Compaq Big Band will be playing in Watertown on Friday, Aug. 13. The original date was postponed due to rain. The Town of Watertown sent out the following statement:

“Please join us at the 2021 Saltonstall Park Concert Series on Friday, August 13, 2021 from 6:30-8 p.m. at 149 Main Street in Watertown. There will be free music featuring the 19-piece Compaq Big Band Concert at 6:30pm.”

Government

Council Subcommittee Looks at Areas of Town Where Firearms Stores Could Operate

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Firearm stores would be allowed in the same areas where marijuana dispensaries and adult stores can go in Watertown under the proposal recommended by a Town Council subcommittee. On Monday night, the Economic Development and Planning Committee heard the language drafted by Town administrators for limiting areas where gun dealers and related businesses could go in Watertown. Several other communities in the area have looked at firearms store regulations, including Newton where elected officials looked at a firearms store ban but instead voted to restrict them to a few spots in the city. Councilors in Watertown thought it was a good time to look at the Town’s zoning regarding such shops. “The thought process we had, from a staff perspective, is to keep this pretty simple,” said Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon.

Government

Learn About the Proposed Watertown Charter Changes at Ice Cream Social

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A resident group will host an ice cream social where people can learn about the proposed changes to the document that spells out how Watertown’s government operates, as well as about the group. Watertown Forward will host the ice cream social on Friday, Sept. 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Arsenal Park, 485 Arsenal St. The group will discuss the proposed Charter changes that will be on the ballot in the Nov. 2 Town Election.

Schools

Watertown Superintendent Gets High Marks from School Committee in Annual Evaluation

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Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston. Superintendent Dede Galdston received high marks from the School Committee, especially for handling the return of students to school in the pandemic, during her annual performance evaluation. The School Committee announced the results of the annual performance review for the head of the Watertown Public Schools on Aug. 2. Six of the seven members of the School Committee gave Galdston the highest rating in overall performance, and all seven gave her top marks on the reopening of schools after being closed for the COVID-19 pandemic.