Police/Fire

Watertown Fire Department Welcomes New Firefighter, Bids Farewell to Another

By |

The Watertown Fire Department announced the hiring of a new firefighter, and the retirement of a veteran member of the department. The Watertown Fire Department had a welcome announcement for its newest member:
Please join us in congratulating Firefighter Olivia Winsor who was sworn in today as Watertown’s newest Firefighter/ Paramedic. Firefighter Winsor will work two weeks of days as an orientation before being assigned to a shift. Winsor was also welcomed by the Town Manager:
Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll has appointed Ms. Olivia C. Winsor as a firefighter for the Town of Watertown effective Sunday, August 19, 2018. We congratulate Firefighter Winsor and wish her well as she begins her career with the Watertown Fire Department.

Business

Changes Recommended to Plastic Shopping Bag Ban to Encourage Reusable Bags

By |

The ban of single use plastic bags has been in place in Watertown for just over a year, and those who pushed for the ban suggest some tweaks be made to the ordinance. 

Earlier this month, the Town Council heard a report about how the Bring Your Own Bag ordinance has gone in its first year. All stores have stopped giving the thin plastic bags to customers, but some continue to hand out plastic bags made of thicker material which are not biodegradable. The bags meet the requirement that bags must be 4 mil thick, but do not “meet the spirit of the ordinance,” said Councilor Anthony Donato, who read the report from the Rules & Ordinances subcommittee. “The community didn’t envision this outcome and the Council wants to see how we can strengthen our current ordinance,” Donato said. The plastic bag ordinance was first presented to the Town Council by ReThink Plastic, a resident group seeking to eliminate single-use plastic bags and encourage people to use reusable shopping bags.

Sports

Watertown Boys & Girls Soccer Teams Kicking Off Season Soon

By |

The Raiders soccer squads take the field in early September for the beginning of the 2018 season. See the boys and girls varsity schedules below. Last season, Watertown High School’s boys team won the North Section title and made it to the MIAA state semifinal. Meanwhile, the girls hope to return to the state tournament for the first time since 2015. The girls will be the first to play at Victory Field, on Sept.

Real Estate

More Than a Dozen Open Houses in Watertown This Weekend

By |

Check out all the open houses around town this week. $449,900 – 14 Chapman St. Unit 14, 5 room, 2 bed, 1 bath townhouse, Open Houses: Saturday 10-12 Sunday 11-1

$514,900 – 42 Maplewood St. Unit 1, 7 room, 2 bed, 1 bath 2/3 family, Open Houses: Friday 5:30-7 Saturday 11:30-1 Sunday 11:30-1

$669,000 – 26 Charles St., 10 room, 4 bed, 2 bath cape, Open Houses: Saturday 1:30-3:30 Sunday 1:30-3:30

$899,000 – 75 Summer St. Unit 75, 9 room, 4 bed, 3 full 2 half bath townhouse, Open House: Sunday 12-1

$519,000 – 660 Belmont St.

Schools

New Hosmer School Proposal Would Use Less Green Space, Cost More

By |

The architects designing Watertown’s elementary schools presented a new alternative for the new classroom building at Hosmer Elementary School which would use less open space on the site, but would increase the cost of the project. Two weeks ago, another option was proposed where the school would stick farther out into the playing fields in front of the school. Neighbors objected to the loss of the green space and for obstructing their view. The new proposal would push the school closer to the existing building which has the cafeteria, auditorium and gym. The drawings presented by architect Scott Dunlap of Ai3 show the buildings linking in two areas, with a courtyard in the middle to allow natural light for the classrooms in the middle.

Sports

Watertown Field Hockey Seeking 10th Straight State Title in 2018, See the Team’s Schedule

By |

The Watertown High School field hockey team’s unbeaten streak ended last season, but the Raiders kept their run of state titles alive, winning their ninth straight in 2017. The quest for 10 titles in a row begins next week with a scrimmage, and Watertown opens the regular season on Sept. 6 at Reading. The first home game for Coach Eileen Donahue’s team will be against Stoneham on Sept. 14. The Raiders lost two All-Scholastic players, Jonna Kennedy, the goalie for the past three years, and Sydney Poulin.

Government

Company Seeking to Store Prefab Homes on Pleasant Street Lot

By |

The Watertown Planning Board heard a proposal to allow prefabricated homes to be stored on Pleasant Street, across from Russo’s market, for about four months. The proposal, presented by Scott Oran of Austin Street Partners last week, would be for 527 Pleasant St., an unused lot that had been part of the parking area for Raytheon. Up to 25 modular homes built in Canada would be stored on the site until they are installed. Each home is 12 feet x 63 feet x 11 feet. The proposed timeline for the storage would be from September to December 2018.

Entertainment

Tomatoes Galore at This Week’s Watertown Farmers’ Market With Cooking Demos and Tips

By |

It’s tomato season at the Watertown Farmers Market, and you can learn some new ways to use these red beauts. 

The Watertown Farmers’ Market and Eat Well Watertown will provide demonstrations at Thursday’s market, which is open from 1:30-6:30 p.m. at the Arsenal on the Charles. The Farmers’ Market provided the following announcement:

Our Farmers’ Grow Amazing Tomatoes – Let’s Celebrate! With peak tomato season in full swing, join us for delicious tomato tastings from your favorite Watertown farmers and a delicious Gazpacho Demo from Community Chef Gaia! Know Your Tomato Tasting 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Live Well Watertown Volunteer Natalie Tarbet will be talking all things tomato! Stop by for tomato tastings from our farms, recipes, and more!