Election 2018

LETTER: Governor’s Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney Seeks Another Term

By |

Editor,

I am running a basic grass root campaign in a Governor’s Council District larger than a congressional district (difficult without money) representing 32 towns and cities from Ayer to Back Bay. What I am most proud of?:

Just to mention two of the reforms I made on the council that I am proud of:

1. Changed the Parole Board whose members were all prosecutors — not in compliance for 30 years. 2. Stopped long-time practice of  Governor’s Councillors, Governor, Lieutenant Governor accepting money from nominees right to the time of the vote.

2 Alarm Fire

Firefighters Douse 2 Alarm Fire in East End of Watertown

By |

Firefighters put out a blaze broke out in a small commercial building off of Arlington Street in the East End of Watertown Tuesday. The Watertown Fire Department called a second alarm for the fire that occurred on Clarendon Street near Berkeley Street. The fire started when a pole with a transformer fell on a car and set it on fire, the owner of the business that caught fire, Crossfit Arsenal, told Channel 7 News. Attempts to put put out the fire were delayed by the live wires lying on the cars. First reports of the fire occurred on Twitter at about 5 p.m., and according to the Fire radio, the fire was knocked down and contained by about 5:40 p.m.

The building appears to be a one-story commercial building.

Around Town

Donohue’s Bar & Grill Celebrating 20th Anniversary with Luau, Other Events

By |

Starting in a small barroom, Donohue’s Bar & Grill has expanded and gone through major facelifts over the 20 years since it opened, and has become a fixture in the Watertown restaurant scene. The celebration of Donohue’s 20th anniversary kicks off this week. John Donohue, owner and founder of Donohue’s, still recalls the day he opened for business — July 24, 1998. “It was the Friday of the Hawaiian Open — the Friends of Matt Galligan golf tournament,” Donohue said. “They all came in after the tournament.”

Real Estate

Here are the Trio of Homes That Sold This Week in Watertown

By |

These Watertown three homes sold this week. $760,000 – 7 Bellevue Ter., 9 room, 3 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom, Colonial single-family home

$625,000 – 90 Edenfield Ave., 6 room, 3 bedroom, 1 full & 1 half bathroom, Colonial single-family home

$615,200 – 18 Capitol St. Unit 18, 6 room, 3 bedroom, 1 full & 1 half bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

Sponsored by:

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.