Elections

School Committee Hopefuls Air Their Views at Candidate Forum

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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.

Entertainment

Hal McIntyre Orchestra Playing at Free Watertown Veteran’s Day Concert

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Watertown will hold a free concert honoring our Veterans and featuring the World Famous Hal McIntyre Orchestra, announced the Watertown Veteran’s Services Office. The band was founded by Hal McIntyre, and now is lead by Watertown’s own Don Pentleton, who played drums with the Glen Miller Band, the Guy Lombardo Orchestra, and with Skitch Henderson and Ella Fitzgerald. The concert will be a tribute to Peggy Lee and features Broadway’s own Jody Ebling. The event will be on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017 at the Watertown Middle School, 68 Waverley Ave., Watertown, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Watertown Veteran’s Agent Mark Comeiro wrote: “This event is open to the Public as it would be an honor to have the residents of Watertown attend this very special event.”

Real Estate

$1.3 Million Colonial Revival Among This Week’s Watertown Open Houses

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Dozens of open houses to visit around Watertown this week. $548,900 – 3 Repton Place Unit 3108, 6 room, 2 bed, 2 bath mid-rise, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12-2

$825,000 – 12 Rose Ave. Unit 12. 6 room, 3 bed, 2 bath townhouse, Open Houses: Saturday 11-2 Sunday 1-3

$825,000 – 37 Hillcrest Cir., 2 unit, 10 total room, 4 total bedroom 2 family, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12-2

$449,900 – 39 Morton St. Unit 39, 7 room, 2 bed, 1.5 bath 2/3 family, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12-2

$305,000 – 106 Mount Auburn St.

Arsenal Park

Visions for What Arsenal Park Could Look Like Presented to the Public

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Some visions for what Arsenal Park could look like after some sprucing up went on display Wednesday night, and residents got an opportunity to give their reviews. 

The Department of Community Development and Planning (DCDP) hosted the event at the Commander’s Mansion, where three options could be viewed on large boards. Attendees got a chance to write their comments and put them on the boards using yellow sticky notes. Some of the areas that planners wanted to improve include the signage inside and outside the park, said DCDP Director and Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon. “A lot of people describe Arsenal Park as a hidden gem, but it is not really well known,” Magoon said. “We want to change that.”

Police/Fire

Two Suspect Sought for Using Counterfeit $100 Bills at Watertown Store

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Two men are suspected by the Watertown Police of using three counterfeit $100 bills at a store in town. 

On Oct. 2, the owner of Arsenal Wine & Spirits went to make a cash deposit and the bank informed the owner that there were three counterfeit bills in the deposit. When reviewing security footage, the owner saw that on Sept. 29 at about 7:45 p.m. two men came into the store to make two separate small purchases with $100 bills, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. They left the store and came back a short time later and asked for change for a third $100 bill.

Schools

WHS Guest Speaker Tackles Some Tough Subjects as Part of the SPEAK Project

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Michael ‘Mykee’ Fowlin returned to Watertown High School on September 25th to perform his one-person show, “You Don’t Know Me Until You Know Me,” for an all-school assembly, the Watertown Youth Coalition announced. As a professional actor with a doctorate degree in clinical psychology, he combines his skills and expertise to encourage people to transform the world by turning hurt into self-reflection, healing, and then action. The performance touched on topics including bullying, xenophobia, racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, dating and sexual violence, suicide, and more. While he didn’t shy away from difficult subject matter, he was able to do so in a way that connected with the students, moving the room from thoughtful quiet to roaring laughter throughout the performance. He urged students to respect each other and to celebrate both their differences and shared experiences.

Building for the Future

Town Manager: Town Can Build 3 Elementary Schools Within Regular Budget

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Few towns can afford to pay for a major school project within its operating budget, let alone three, but Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced that the town would be able to finance the renovation or reconstruction of all three elementary schools without having to add to tax bills by passing a debt exclusion, Tuesday night. 

Driscoll discussed the financing of the Building for the Future school building program when he presented the Fiscal 2019 Preliminary Budget overview to the Town Council. His budget drew applause from the audience in the Town Council Chamber. “I am pleased to inform you we are proposing a plan which you will see whereby financing of the potential Elementary Schools Project estimated at $80 million t0 $120 million is included in the Debt and Interest Forecast beginning in Fiscal Year 2020, all of this to be done within the confines of Proposition 2 ½ and all of this to be done without the need to request debt exclusion financing from the taxpayers of Watertown,” Driscoll said. The announcement left grins on the faces of all the Town Councilors and the department heads at the meeting. Town Council Vice President Vincent Piccirilli estimated that paying for the project with money borrowed through a debt exclusion would have added $500 annually to the property tax bills of the average Watertown residential property owner.

Government

Victory Field Committee Wants Decorative Fence along Orchard Street

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The fence along Orchard Street in front of the track at Victory Field is a bit of a mishmash now, but the committee making recommendations for the renovation of the area wants to give it a more attractive look. Members of the Ad Hoc Committee on Victory Field Phase 2 agreed they wanted to see something more decorative for the exterior fencing in front of the track. “We want the fence to be welcoming, engaging and attractive,” said Committee member Elliot Friedman. Glenn Howard, a designer from CDM Smith (the town’s contractor), brought in a few photos to illustrate what could be done with the fencing. One that appealed to the group had black fencing that looked like wrought iron but may be made from a different metal, with masonry piers or columns standing periodically along the length of the fence.