Police/Fire

Man Acting Suspiciously Toward Girl Reported at Watertown Park

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A mother called Watertown Police after a man appeared to be filming her young daughter and acting suspiciously at Fillippello Park. The incident occurred at about 11:50 a.m. on Jan. 7, and was reported shortly before 3 p.m. that day, according to Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. The woman said she was at the tot lot in the East End park with her 2-year-old daughter at the time. “While she was she there, she became aware of an adult male who appeared to be filming, FaceTiming or something else on his phone and she felt he was filming her child,” O’Connor said.

Around Town

Pair of Large Red Foxes Spotted by Watertown Resident

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A large red fox was seen walking on Jensen Road on the Westside of Watertown over the weekend. Large foxes have been seen wandering the streets of West Watertown. Watertown News reader Tracy Scott took photos of a pair of red foxes as they walked though the backyard of her Jensen Road home, and on the streets near the park behind the Watertown Police Station (the old Browne School Playground). “We have been living here for 4 years, we have never seen a fox here,” Scott said. “Both these foxes were large.

Around Town

UPDATE: Dozens of Pairs of Shoes Donated by Watertown Native, Rec. Dept. Will Distribute

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Watertown native Robert Marra with Peter Centola, who was Marra’s fold coach at WHS and is now Director of Watertown’s Recreation Department. Marra donated 60 pairs of shoes to the Town, which will give them away to residents. (Updated Jan. 13, 2021 at 8:45 a.m.)

Watertown residents can get a free pair of shoes thanks to a Watertown native who wanted to help his hometown. Robert Marra works and lives in Ashland now, but he grew up in Town.

Around Town

Find Out About Applying for Second Round of PPP Loans

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Small businesses can start applying for the latest round of federal Payroll Protection Program. PPP loans available for businesses that did not get the grant in the first round, and the application process began on Jan. 11. Also, businesses that got PPP in the first round can apply for the Second Draw can begin applying on Jan. 13.

Government

Charter Review Committee Hears How Other Local Governments Work from Mayors & a Manager

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Watertown Town Hall

The group looking at whether to make changes to how Watertown’s government works heard from chief executives from three communities: two mayors and one town manager. At the Jan. 5 Charter Review Committee meeting, the members were joined by three panelists: Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, Woburn Mayor Scott Galvin, and Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator in Franklin, which has a similar set up to Watertown with a “strong manager.” Each spoke about the strengths and weaknesses of their governments. Hellen said that one of the strengths of Franklin’s council/manager form of government is that he as an appointed executive can take the heat off the elected council for some of the more contentious decisions.

Business

Business Group Seeks Input on Creating Neighborhood Identities, Cultural District

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The Watertown Business Coalition has two upcoming virtual events to discuss promoting the different neighborhoods around Town, and creating a Cultural District. The group welcomes the ideas and input from businesses and residents. Neighborhood Identities

The effort to create stronger neighborhood identities emerged as an idea to boost local businesses during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic and moving forward. A virtual meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 20 from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

The event announcement said: “We will discuss ways we can rally around the idea of creating neighborhood identities and promote businesses and the communities within those neighborhoods.

Arrests

Police Log: Juvenile Busted on Gun Charges, Pizza Place Broken Into

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

Dec. 30, 3:50 p.m.: Target security spotted a woman going into two vehicles in the parking lot before entering a third vehicle, which she drove away. Security got a license plate and description, and gave it to police. It was determined that the vehicle had been stolen from Boston.

Real Estate

Check Out the Five Homes Sold in Watertown This Week

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Four condos and a single-family home sold this week in Watertown. $569,900 – 662 Belmont St. Unit 662, Condo – 2/3 Family, 1,472 Living Area Sq. Ft., 9 Room, 3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom

$705,000 – 40 Royal U:40, Condo – Townhouse, 1,825 Living Area Sq. Ft., 7 Room, 3 Bedroom, 2 Full & 1 Half Bathroom

$677,000 – 49 Phillips St.