Government

Arsenal Park Renovation Plans to be Presented at Town Council Meeting

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A drawing of the proposed renovation for the eastern section of Arsenal Park, near the Arsenal Yards development. The proposed renovation of the eastern section of Arsenal Park will be presented to the Town Council Tuesday night in a meeting to be held online. Project designers from CDM Smith will present the plans for the $1.6 million project during the May 12 Council meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. The agenda item is an informational presentation, and no vote will be taken. The meeting will be televised and the public can join by computer or phone (info below). The section of the park being discussed is Phase A, which is the section of the park that abuts the Arsenal Yards property.

Around Town

A Self-Guided Stormwater Walk Designed by a River Conservation Group

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A self-guided tour of Watertown’s stormwater drainage system will show people how rain water gets from the streets to the Charles River. The walk features some of the stormwater devices you can see on the street that you would recognize, such as a catch basin, and some that are not as obvious, like a bioswale. There are also parts of the stormwater system where the water enters the river. The Watertown Department of Public Works collaborated with the Mystic River Watershed Association to create the tour, said Town Engineer Matthew Shuman. “Here’s some great activities we put together with the Mystic River Watershed Association for kids and adults to do to get some fresh air during these trying times … go for a stormwater walk,” Shuman said.

Schools

Watertown Teachers Get Some Love With Car Parade

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Students and parents at Lowell Elementary School showed their love for the teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. Teachers at Lowell School got a special celebration during Teacher Appreciation Week, which was May 4-8. A car parade, escorted by the Watertown Police Department, visited the school. They even had a surprise appearance by the Lowell Leopard, the school’s mascot, and Watertown’s resident sousaphone player (also known as the Tuba Guy)! “I believe we had about 100 cars of families lined up all the way down York Ave and out into Belmont Street,” said Lowell PTO Co-President Lauren Coughlin Unsworth.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Busted After Driving on 3 Wheels, Driver Hits Two Parked Cars

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

April 28, 7:16 p.m.: A Toyota pickup struck a parked car in the parking lot of Stop & Shop on Pleasant Street, which pushed the car into another parked vehicle. A caller reported the accident to police and said the driver may be intoxicated. Officers found the driver still in his vehicle and knocked several times before the driver responded. He appeared to be in a daze and showed signs of impairment.

Around Town

ARTrelief Offering Free Virtual Classes During COVID-19 Outbreak

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East Watertown-based ARTrelief is offering free groups through the month of May. The groups are meeting virtually during the COVID-19 shutdown, and there are courses for kids and adults, said Clinical Director Cecile Reve. ARTrelief is an innovative Expressive Arts Therapy center which has serviced individuals across the lifespan, according to its website. 

The group dedicates itself to the use and promotion of all forms of art to support health, joy, awareness, development, education, social-economic adjustment, cultural inclusion, equality, dignity and integrity in the community. ARTrelief provides free virtual art and play workshops and therapy, and wants to invite the community to benefit. See the list of classes available below:

The following groups are free through the month of May, after that virtual fee is a monthly unlimited pass ($50), or a drop-in rate of $10 per person.

Around Town

Watertown Woman Excited to Enter West Point Military Academy in the Fall

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Watertown’s Hannah MacDonald will be entering West Point Military Academy in the fall. She is holding the document informing her of her appointment to the Academy. This fall, high school senior Hannah MacDonald will begin her career at campus that few people from Watertown have ever attended. It’s not Harvard, or Yale or another prestigious college. She will be a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point. 

Gaining entry into West Point, or any of the military academies, is no simple feat, and MacDonald had to qualify in ways that those admitted to other institutions of higher learning do not have to worry about.

Class of 2020

WHS PTSO Raising Money to Celebrate the Class of 2020 in the Time of COVID-19

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One of the signs that went up around town to celebrate Watertown High School’s graduating seniors. A fund-raising effort has been started to help the Watertown High School Class of 2020 celebrate their graduation in style, despite the COVID-19 restrictions. The effort was started by the Watertown High School PTSO on RallyUp.com. As of Friday morning, the page has already raised more than $1,500. The money will used to create gift packs for all seniors which they will collect with their cap and gown after the last day of class.