Government

Council Passes Fiscal 2020 Budget, Town Pays off Retirement Debt

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Town Manager Michael Driscoll’s plan to pay off Watertown’s retirement benefits deficit will come to fruition on July 1, 2019. Tuesday night the Town Council approved Watertown’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget, but it also marked the paying off of the town’s unpaid Retirement Benefits deficit and frees up millions to be spent in other areas, such as the school building projects.. On July 1, 2019, a payment of $13.18 million will be made, which will not only cover this year’s Retirement Benefits for town employees, but also the shortfall. Since Fiscal Year 2009, the Town has funded retirement at a rate of 152 percent to pay off the deficit faster. The total Fiscal Year 2020 budget of $147.76 million is 3.89 percent higher or $5.53 million more than Fiscal 2019, the current budget year.

Around Town

Watertown Hosting Flag Retirement Ceremony on Flag Day

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Watertown Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts fold a flag to be retired during the Flag Day Retirement of Colors Ceremony. Watertown will hold a Flag Retirement Service and Ceremony on Flag Day, announced Watertown Veterans Services Officer Patrick George. The ceremony will take place at Ridgelawn Cemetery on Friday June 14, 2019 beginning at 6:00 p.m.

“This event is open to the Public; and it would be an honor to have the residents of Watertown attend this very special event,” George said in the event announcement. If you have any questions, please call the Veterans Office at 617-972-6416.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Arrest 16-Year Old for School Threat Made on Social Media

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Watertown Police arrested a 16-year-old Watertown boy for allegedly making threats toward a school on Friday, May 31 after the teen sent a Snapchat message that was received by students at Watertown High School and Watertown Middle School. Watertown Police received word of the threat from Watertown Public School officials Friday morning, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. The message was sent via the Snapchat social media app, and contained a list of emojis, O’Connor said. “From what police could tell, the Snapchat message went to over 100 students at Watertown Middle School and Watertown High School,” O’Connor said. “It contained emojis of a picture of a school, a bomb, an explosion, a gun and an emoji of someone running.”

Around Town

Plaque to be Installed in Watertown Park in Memory of Baby Who Died Unexpectedly

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Watertown’s Casey Park on Watertown Street. The family of a young girl who died suddenly while at a local daycare center has donated a plaque that will be part of a memorial in a Watertown Park. Lia James Madigan was four months old when she passed away suddenly in September 2018. Last week, the Town Council accepted the donation, and read a proclamation in Lia’s memory. Her parents, Maile and Dan, donated a plaque to go next to a tree that has already been planted in Casey Park near the playground and baseball field.

Around Town

Kayak on the Charles River with the Recreation Department

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Kayakers will hit the Charles River June 15 in the annual event sponsored by the Watertown Recreation Department. Once again, the Watertown Recreation Department will hold its kayaking on the Charles River event, and sign ups are now available. Recreation Director Peter Centola sent out the following information:

Our annual Kayak Event will be held on Saturday, June 15. If interested, please sign up early this week as the spots will go quickly. The details are below and attached.

Sports

WHS Sports: Track Star Wins State Title, Lacrosse Teams Make Tourney

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Watertown’s Mange Camara won the 400 meters at the All-State Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Here he competes in the 2018 Div. 4 Meet. Watertown sprinter Mange Camara added another state championship to his list of titles. The senior won the 400 meter event at the All-State Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Westfield State on Saturday.

Real Estate

Several Home Sales in Watertown This Week

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Three homes in town were sold this week. $975,000 – 19 Irma Ave., 3 unit, 15 total room, 6 total bedroom, 3 Family multi-family home

$591,000 – 8 Chandler St., 6 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, Antique single-family home

$475,000 – 57 Fayette St. Unit 0, 6 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse

$895,000 – 1-3 Derby Rd in Watertown, MA2 unit, 10 total room, 4 total bedroom, 2 Family – 2 Units Up/Down multi-family home

$1,100,000 – 259 Edenfield Ave. Unit 259, 8 room, 4 bedroom, 3 full & 2 half bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

Sponsored by:

$860,000 – 13 Derby Road, 2 unit, 12 total room, 4 total bedroom, 2 Family – 2 Units Up/Down multi-family home

$1,085,000 – 257 Edenfield Ave. Unit 257, 8 room, 4 bedroom, 3 full & 2 half bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

$656,000 – 18 Prescott St., 8 room, 3 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, Cape single-family home

$830,000 – 13-15 Chandler St., 2 unit, 10 total room, 4 total bedroom, 2 Family – 2 Units Up/Down multi-family home