Christmas

Snow and Freezing Rain Expected Friday into Saturday, White Christmas Possible

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A snow storm will be coming through the Watertown area Friday afternoon through early Saturday. Meanwhile, more precipitation is expected on Christmas, but it is not clear whether it will be snow, rain or a mix. The National Weather Service forecasts up to 3 inches of rain in the area on Friday, turning to freezing rain on Saturday. The snow will begin after 1 p.m. Friday. Ice is possible in the area and likely North and West of I-495 as well as near Worcester and west.

Around Town

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services In and Around Watertown

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Churches in Watertown and beyond will hold services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Christ. See the times below. Armenian Memorial Church, 32 Bigelow Ave., Watertown: Christmas Eve Service 10:30 a.m., Joint Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at First Armenian Church, 380 Concord Ave., Belmont at 6:30 p.m.

Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church, 421 Common St., Belmont: Christmas Eve Services (Dec. 24) Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m., Interactive Family Service at 5 p.m., Candlelight Service at 7:30 p.m.

Church of the Good Shepherd, 9 Russell Ave., Watertown: Morning Worship, 10 a.m. on Dec. 24,  Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at 5 p.m. on Dec.

Bicycles

Town Wants to Know What Changes You’d Make to Streets in Your Neighborhood

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Many road projects planned by the Town of Watertown focus on major roads and intersections, but the Department of Public Works recently began an effort to find places to make small scale changes on neighborhood streets. The improvements are not just for motor vehicles, but also for walkers, bikers and riders of public transportation, said Phil Goff, senior planning associate with Alta Planning + Design, the firm hired by the town to create a list of projects. Accommodating all these forms of transportation is part of the Town’s Complete Streets Policy. In February Town officials signed a Commonwealth Compact with the state and creating the policy was the first step toward the Town being able to apply for up to $400,000 in state funding for the projects. The second step, or tier, is creating the Complete Streets Prioritization Plan.

Schools

Architects Present First Visions for What Watertown’s Elementary Schools Could Look Like

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It will be a busy several years, but by 2023 Watertown will have built or newly renovated three elementary schools and the high school. Monday night the architect hired to do the schematic designs laid out the timeline to get there. The elementary schools and the high school are on different schedules, with the Hosmer, the Cunniff and the Lowell planned to be worked on simultaneously, and after those projects are complete it will be about time for construction to begin on Watertown High School, said Scott Dunlap, principal of Ai3, the district’s architects. Watertown school officials got a lot of good news last week. “Last week the most exciting time for a Superintendent occurred over a 24 hour period,” said Superintendent Dede Galdston.

Business

Singing Deli Worker Delights Russo’s Shoppers, Becomes an Internet Sensation

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A Facebook video of a Russo’s deli worker singing Christmas songs has gone viral, and caught the attention of news outlets both locally and nationally. 

Gillie Assuncao began working at Russo’s just four months ago as a dishwasher but now works in the market’s deli area. The Brazilian native also has an amazing baritone voice. The store posted a video of Assuncao singing to customers over the weekend and it took off. It also caught the attention of media, both locally and nationally. He has been interviewed by news outlets, including Boston’s WBZ Channel 4 and the national ABC News.

Government

Watertown Elected Officials to be Sworn in at Inauguration on Jan. 2

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Recently elected Watertown officials will be sworn in during the Watertown Inauguration on Jan. 2, 1018. The inauguration ceremony will be held at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St., on Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. A reception will follow. The following elected officials will be sworn that night:

The President of the Town Council and Member of the School Committee – Elect
Mark S. Sideris
The Members – Elect of the Town Council
Caroline J. Bays
Michael F. Dattoli
Anthony J. Donato
Lisa J. Feltner
Angeline B. Kounelis
Anthony Palomba
Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr.
Kenneth M. Woodland
The Members – Elect of the School Committee
Amy B. Donohue
Lindsay Jean Mosca
John H. Portz
Lily R. Rayman-Read
The Trustees – Elect of the Free Public Library
Leanne Hammonds
Michael J. Hanlon, Jr.
Daniel E. Pritchard