Schools

School Building Committee Supports Rebuilding 2 Elementary Schools, Renovating Third

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The plan for the Hosmer School campus presented to the School Building Committee on Jan. 23. it shows the brand new school, and three parking areas. The cost estimate for rebuilding two of Watertown’s three elementary schools — while the third is thoroughly renovated — came in close enough to the price of the alternative of renovating the three schools for the School Building Committee to recommend going for the new construction option. Representatives from project designer Ai3 Architects and owners project manager Daedalus Projects presented the cost estimates at the Jan.

71 Salibury Road

Construction of East End House Allowed to Go Ahead, District Councilor Critical of Process

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Neighbors of the project at 71 Salisbury Road say the excavation has impacted their properties, and they did not receive notice. The major excavation for a single-family home on Salisbury Road has drawn the ire of neighbors, and now the District Town Councilor, who questions how the work was allowed by Town officials. Last week, residents alerted the Town Council to the work being done at 71 Salisbury Road, including a major excavation of bedrock which took several days and damaged the roots of trees and shrubs on neighboring properties. The property was purchased in August 2015 by Eamon Fee, one of the developers of the parcel. The Town issued a building permit in August 2018 for a single-family house, which is allowed “by right,” so the project would not have to get approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Around Town

Watertown Housing Partnership Invites Input on Annual Housing Action Plan

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The Watertown Housing Partnership will be reviewing its annual action plan, and a public meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019. The Town of Watertown sent out the following information:

The Watertown Housing Partnership will conduct a public meeting to review the FY 2020 Housing-related Annual Action Plan. The Annual Action Plan details how Watertown will allocate Federal HOME funds for the coming Fiscal Year on programs that are planned in response to the priority needs identified in the HOME Consolidated Plan. WHEN: Tuesday, February 19, 2019, Beginning at 6:00 PM

WHERE: Third Floor Conference Room, Administration Building (Town Hall), 149 Main Street, Watertown, MA

A draft copy of the FY 2020 Annual Action Plan is available at:

• Watertown Public Library, 123 Main Street, Reference Desk

• Department of Community Development & Planning, Administration Building, 3rd Floor

• On the Town’s website: Click here.

Police/Fire

Four Watertown Firefighters Promoted, Including New Deputy Chief

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Four Watertown firefighters receive promotions recently, including to the second highest rank on the department — deputy chief. Since the passing of Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio, the Fire Department has had only three full-time deputy chiefs and an acting one. Recently, Watertown Town Manager announced the promotion of Capt. Ryan Nicholson to the position of Deputy Fire Chief. Nicholson had been serving as the WFD’s Staff Service Officer. Promotions of a captain and two lieutenants were also announced.

Police/Fire

Three Watertown Men Indicted on Drug Charges by Middlesex Grand Jury

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A grand jury indicted three Watertown men on drug-related charges, Middlesex District Attorney Marin Ryan’s office announced. The three men — Dominic Davis, Akeem Mapp, and James Paul — were arrested in June after a joint investigation by the Watertown Police and the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force. Their home was raided by a NEMLEC SWAT team. The raid found cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy (MDMA), Ketamine, marijuana, three firearms, and approximately $10,000 in cash. This week, the Middlesex DA’s office announced the indictments from Nov.

Around Town

Watertown Schools, Businesses Collecting for Food Pantries as Need Rises with Government Shutdown

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The Watertown Public Schools PTOs, the Watertown Police and local businesses have teamed up to collect donations for food pantries in town after hearing about the need due to the Federal Government shutdown. Donations of non-perishable and non-expired food are being collected at several locations around town. The drive started after people in town heard about the recent increase in use of food pantries, said Lauren Coughlin Unsworth, one of the organizers. “The idea came up when we heard that the government shutdown was creating a larger demand our local pantries and that they had a great need for donations,”

Coughlin Unsworth is on the Lowell School PTO as well as the board of the Watertown Community Foundation and she teamed up with Watertown resident and owner of Get Lively, Jan Taylor. Taylor approached local businesses along with the Rotary Club of Watertown, and Coughlin Unsworth used her contacts in the schools.