Asbestos

School Officials Confident Asbestos Hazards Have Been Dealt With, Schools are Safe

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Responding to concerns of parents and staff, the Watertown Public Schools administration presented a report on asbestos in the town’s schools on Monday night. Afterward, School Committee members said they are confident that Watertown’s students and teachers are safe from asbestos exposure. Many of the calls and emails came after an online petition started by people concerned about asbestos in the Watertown Public Schools. The petition cites the suffering of a former Watertown teacher, and calls for the closing of the Watertown High School and Watertown Middle School buildings until the asbestos hazards are identified and dealt with. Because Watertown’s schools were built during the “age of asbestos,” Superintendent Dede Galdston said, asbestos is certainly something to be concerned with.

Around Town

Watertown Mall, Health Department Host Monthly Blood Pressure Screenings

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Judy, an active member of the Watertown Mall’s Walking Club is shown with Wil from the Watertown Health Department at her blood pressure screening. The Mall offers blood pressure screenings once a month on Friday. The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:

Every first Friday of the month, The Watertown Mall partners up with the Watertown Health Department for a free blood pressure screening. We are so thankful to have such a great community! If you are interested in the Walking Club or our monthly blood pressure screening, call us at 617-926-4968 ext.

Letters

LETTER: Disabled Parking Spaces Being Abused in Watertown

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Editor,

The rampant and ongoing abuse of disabled parking spaces around Watertown and particularly by visitors to our schools is not just illegal (it can come with a hefty fine), but also shows no compassion or empathy for those of us who really need these spaces. I am the parent of a seventh grader and fifth grader at Watertown Public Schools, and also a wheelchair user. When I arrived at WMS on Tuesday for my son’s parent-teacher conference there was a car parked illegally in one of the disabled spaces. It did not have a disabled parking permit, and was also parked at such an angle that it encroached by several feet onto the hatched area that separates the two disabled spaces. This area provides essential space for a wheelchair user to get in/out of their vehicle or use a ramp.

Arsenal Yards

Arsenal Yards Developers Show Plans for Biotech Building

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Architect Adam Gross, of Ayers Saint Gross, shows drawings for the proposed new Building G at Arsenal Yards. It would be a lab/office space for biotech companies. Looking to take advantage of one of the hottest industries in the Boston area, the developers of Arsenal Yards seek to turn the previous proposed residential tower into a biotech research and development lab and office building. Last week, representatives from Boylston Properties presented their preliminary plans for Building G — the last piece of the Arsenal Yards project — during a community meeting. Biotech has already made significant inroads in Watertown, with 23 companies employing about 1,500 people, said Andrew Copelotti, a principal at Boylston Properties.

Basketball

WHS Sports: Basketball Team Piling Up Wins, Track Excels & More

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Watertown seniors Chris Iannetta, left, and Nick McDermott, and the rest of the Raiders boys basketball team, have been on a hot streak recently. The defending State Champion Watertown High School boys basketball team has hit a hot streak, piling up the wins over the past few weeks, including a buzzer beater. After a 1-3 start, the Raiders have improved to 9-7 overall (7-7 in the Middlesex League), including wins in six of the last eight contests. Watertown won a thriller against Melrose, 53-51, on the last second hoop by senior Nick McDermott. Watch the highlight courtesy of Watertown Cable, below.

Around Town

Kids Can Head to the Watertown Boys & Girls Club for Pizza, Crafts and Games!

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Youngsters can head to the Watertown Boys & Girls Club for a fun night of Valentine Crafts, Dodgeball & Pizza. Pre-register to save on the price of admission. The Watertown Boys & Girls Club announced it will host “Kids Night Out” on Friday, Feb. 8 from 6-8 p.m.

COST: Pre-registration (until 5 p.m. on Feb. 8): $10 per child, Day of Registration (after 5 p.m. on Feb.

Break ins

Residents Were Home During 3 of 5 Watertown Break-Ins; Police Ask People to Keep Eyes, Ears Open

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Three of the homes broken into around Watertown on Friday night were occupied during the crime, but no one was hurt. Watertown Police say that they need the help of residents to catch the suspect. On Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, five Watertown homes were broken into, most in the area south of Oakley Country Club. The crimes occurred between 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. that day, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Found Asleep at Wheel in Parking Lot, Elderly Couple Scammed

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

Jan. 27, 4:06 p.m.: An officer in Watertown Square ran the plate of a nearby vehicle and discovered the registered owner’s license was suspended. The officer confirmed the owner was behind the wheel and pulled the vehicle over. The 51-year-old Needham woman was arrested on a charge of driving with a license suspended for driving under the influence of alcohol.