Around Town

Watertown News Poll: Traffic, Once Again, Tops the List of Concerns for Watertown Residents

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A poll of  Faire on the Square attendees found that traffic/transportation came top among concerns about Watertown, followed by development. People who stopped by the Watertown News table could participate in the poll, in which they were asked “What concerns you most in Watertown Today,” and participants could check one or more of these five issues, and could write in their own issue:

Schools
Development
Traffic/transportation
Heroin/opioids
Property Taxes
Or, add their own write-in issue

This year 30 people took the poll, and some checked more than one issue. Traffic/transportation received 21 votes, followed by 15 for development. Close behind was heroin/opioids, which got 12 votes. The schools got 10 votes and property taxes got six.

Arrests

Police Log: Officer Stops Fleeing Shoplifter, Counterfeit Bill Used at Dunkin’ Donuts

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
Sept. 12, 10:30 a.m.: Target security spotted a man grab a mirror and a food shredder and put it into a carriage, which he left on one side of the store. Then he took another mirror and food shredder and went to the register to purchase them. The man left the store and a few minutes later came back and found the carriage with the original items inside and tried to push the carriage through the mall entrance.

Around Town

People Flock to Watertown for the 2018 Faire on the Square, See Photos of the Fun

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A mix of new attractions, old favorites and pleasant weather made for a grand celebration during the 2018 Faire on the Square on Saturday. 

Thousands of people came out to Watertown’s Saltonstall Park to check out all the action. Organizers brought in new rides for kids, moved the music stage to the middle of the action, added new food offerings and introduced a beer and wine area. Visitors also had the chance to visit dozens of booths to find out more about local organizations, businesses and Town Departments. A second performance area featured dance groups and other entertainers. For the politically inclined, the local Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians had their own booths, and Republican Congressional candidate John Hugo stopped by to meet voters.

Sports

Watertown Football Faced Tough Melrose Team in Middlesex League Opener

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Watertown ran into a tough Melrose football team in the team’s Middlesex League opener, and fell at 28-13 at Victory Field on Friday night. 

Both teams came off superb seasons a year ago, with Melrose winning the Div. 4 Super Bowl champion and Watertown winning the Div. 5 North Section championship. The Raiders, however, played without senior running back Mange Camara, who was injured the previous game against Cambridge Rindge & Latin. Melrose (2-1) scored in the first quarter and held a 7-0 halftime lead.

Elections

LETTER: Governor’s Councilor Devaney Thanks Her Supporters

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Thank you from the bottom of my heart to each of the 51,781 people who voted for my reelection as your Governor’s councillor. Thank you for putting my sign on your lawn, or standing out for me – or saying a kind word about me along the way, I am grateful. I am so grateful that you believe in me and did not believe the lies and specious attacks on me. My campaign took the high road based on my proven record and reforms I have made on the Governor’s Council. I am honored to work for you as your Governor’s Councillor.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Department Welcomes Six New Officers

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The Watertown Police Department has half a dozen new police officers patrolling the streets after the WPD’s latest recruits were sworn in on Thursday afternoon. Police Chief Michael Lawn welcomed the new officers: Megan Murphy, Kyle Rooney, Don Pham, Lauren Giordano, Michael Del Russo and Colin Geaghan. All six made it through the WPD’s vetting process, including numerous interviews, a background investigation, physical and psychological testing. Then they attended a 24-week Police Academy. The new officers have already experienced an intense situation.

Around Town

Crowd Funding Campaign Raising Money for Watertown Couple Who Lost Infant

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A crowd funding campaign has been set up to help the Watertown couple who recently lost their infant daughter. 

The page on GoFundMe.com is for Maile and Dan Madigan, who lost their 4-month-old daughter Lia earlier this month. “She went down for a nap while at daycare and never woke up. Lia graced this earth with her big smile, even bigger cheeks, and sweet giggle for just under 5 months. Maile, Dan, and Lia’s big brother Carter are heartbroken and devastated by this unfathomable loss,” the GoFundMe page reads. According to the page, the money raised is meant to be “support for them in the coming months as they begin to navigate their grief as a family and work to rebuild a life forever changed.”