Government

Board of Health Considering Tougher Tobacco Regulations in Watertown

By |

The Watertown Board of Health will consider strengthening restrictions on purchasing tobacco products in Watertown. The Watertown Board of Health sent out the following statement:

In the interest of enhancing the public health protection of Watertown’s youth and adult community, the Watertown Board of Health is proposing additional restrictions on the availability of tobacco products in Watertown. The Board invites all to offer comment on the proposed changes at a Public Hearing on November 15, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Town Administration Building located at 149 Main Street in Watertown. Proposed changes to the existing regulations include a ban on blunt wraps,
implementation of minimum pricing on single cigars, establishment of a 500 foot buffer around all schools on new Tobacco Sales Permits, and a cap on the number of Tobacco Permits that will be issued in Watertown. D.J. Wilson, Tobacco Control Director and Public Health Liaison for the Massachusetts Municipal Association, stated that “The proposed additions to the current Watertown ‘Regulation Regarding Smoking and the Sale and Use of Tobacco Products’ provide additional strategies to keep youth from starting to use tobacco products and to prompt current tobacco users to quit.

Government

New Council Subcommittee Will Discuss Lights at Victory Field, Other Places

By |

How the lights are used at Victory Field and other fields around town will discussed by a newly created Town Council Subcommittee. 

At last week’s Town Council Meeting, Council President Mark Sideris announced that he would be creating the Ad Hoc Committee on Policy and Procedures for Lights, and it would go beyond Victory Field. “I attended most of the Victory Field Phase 2 Committee meetings and at most meetings I’ve attended the lights on Phase 1 were brought up as a problem,” Sideris said, adding that he has also heard from neighborhoods near other fields in town with lights. Some residents spoke about the lights at the Council Meeting, too. Dick O’Connor, who lives near Victory Field, said that the lights have been an issue since the new ones were installed. They went up during Phase 1 of the renovation of Victory Field, during which  artificial turf was installed at the football and baseball fields.

Elections

Want to Vote in the Town Election – Register by Wednesday

By |

The deadline to be registered to vote for Town Council, School Committee and Library Trustees in the Nov. 7 Watertown Election is Wednesday, Oct. 18. To be eligible to register to vote in Massachusetts you must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Massachusetts, and 18 years old on or before the next election. You may register to vote in person at any local Town Clerk’s office.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Drives Over Curb Arrested for OUI, Business Bilked of $40K

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
Oct. 6, 11:02 a.m.: A resident spotted a vehicle parked on Myrtle Street and thought that the occupant was acting suspiciously. When police spoke to the man they discovered his registration had been cancelled and he had an arrest warrant. The 30-year-old Boston man was arrested for the warrant from Concord District Court for larceny.

Entertainment

Watertown Farmers Market Celebrating End of Season with Special Events

By |

End of the Season Celebrations at the Watertown Farmers’ Market. Join us in celebrating the last three weeks of wonderful food local food and our farmers and vendors who make it all happen! The Watertown Farmers’ Market is held Thursdays 2:00-6:00pm June 1-October 26, Rain or Shine at the Arsenal on the Charles, 311 Arsenal Street. Celebrations
Oct. 12 – End of Season Raffle

Stop at the Market Manager’s tent to enter our raffle for your chance to be one of 5 lucky winners of $10 in market gift certificates!

Football

See How the Raiders Fared in their Road Football Clash with Stoneham

By |

Watertown’s bid to get a home playoff game took a hit when their comeback fell short against Stoneham Friday night. The Raiders fell 27-23. 

The Raiders started well on the road, with two first quarter touchdowns. The first was a 7 yard pass to Yoseph Hamad  and the second to senior Johm Korte from the 30. The Spartans grabbed 16-14 a halftime lead with a second quarter touchdown an a 2-point conversion. The teams traded field goals in the third quarter, but Stoneham established a 10 point lead in the fourth quarter on a 9-yard touchdown run by Christos Argyropoulos, the running back’s third of the night.

Elections

School Committee Hopefuls Air Their Views at Candidate Forum

By |

The six people running for School Committee shared their views on a variety of subjects during the School Committee Candidate Forum co-hosted by Watertown News and Watertown Cable Access Television on Thursday night at the Watertown Free Public Library. Three challengers – Amy Donohue, Michael Shepard and Lily Rayman-Read – appeared along with the three candidates seeking re-election – Guido Guidotti, Liz Yusem and John Portz. The candidates shared similar views on several questions, including:
• Wanting to renovate or rebuild schools that will be able to provide a modern education
• Seeking to improve communication with parents and with the school administration
• Continue to expand the Spanish lessons for elementary students up through fifth grade
• The start time for the middle and high schools should be moved later
• Watertown should explore joining the Minuteman Vocational District, or find another way to offer vocational education
Each candidate had their own views on certain subjects. Cutting Costs if the Schools Have a Budget Shortfall
Guidotti, a healthcare management consultant who seeks a second term, said that he thinks there is always room for more efficiency in the schools, but said the tough thing is to find efficiency without “cutting the lights off” for important people and programs.

Shepard, who served one term on the School Committee previously, said he wants to save the district money by leasing equipment, particularly technology, instead of purchasing it. By purchasing items outright, the district is stuck with the maintenance and upkeep, he said, but the district should see if any efficiency can be gained by leasing.