What to Expect at Next Watertown Square Meeting, Manager Will Also Discuss Zoning on Prior Day

The redesign of Watertown Square will be discussed on June 12. (Photo by City of Watertown)

(NOTE, May 24, 2024: They day and location of the Watertown Square meeting has changed and has been updated in this article)

The draft of the Watertown Square Area Plan will be discussed at a meeting on June 12, but prior to that City Manager George Proakis will delve into the topic of zoning during a live and interactive show on Watertown Cable. Watertown Square Meeting

The meeting focused on Watertown Square will take place on Thursday, June 13 beginning at 6 p.m. It will take place at the Watertown Middle School Auditorium. Present at the meeting will be both the City Council and the Planning Board, said City Council President Mark Sideris. He said it may be the first of multiple meetings on the Watertown Square Area Plan, which includes not only the redesign of the main intersection, but also where the City will allow housing to be built by right to meet the requirements of the MTBA Communities Law, as well as form-based zoning which will determine how future developments will look.

Watertown Porchfest: Hundreds of Bands Playing at More Than 80 Locations

Watertown will be rocking this Saturday when bands take to porches, lawns, and other temporary venues around town during the first Watertown Porchfest sweeps across the city. The festival will include more than 180 bands playing at 80 locations, including homes, the Watertown Free Public Library, Gore Place, restaurants, and a fitness studio. There will even be a block party with food trucks to accompany the entertainment. Matt Hanna, a member of the Watertown Porchfest organizing committee, said that Watertown “crushed it” in the first year in terms of the number of performers, and the spread of porches around town. “When we first started talking about it we said hopefully we get 50 bands.

Fallen Fire Chief’s Legacy Remembered at Unveiling of Memorial Flagpole

Photo by Charlie BreitroseA crowd gathered at Fire Station 3 to remember former Fire Chief Mario Orangio on Monday. The flagpole was dedicated in his memory. Family, friends, and colleagues gathered around the Fire Station on Orchard Street Monday morning to remember a former Fire Chief who left a lasting legacy not just on the Watertown Fire Department, but fire departments across the state. Mario Orangio was the youngest fire chief in Watertown history when he was appointed in 2004 at the age of 37. He helped improve the EMS and ambulance service provided by the Watertown Fire Department, and saw the introduction of ALS (Advanced Life Support) service in his final year as chief, in 2017.

Police Log: Man Caught Taking Items from Nike, Resident Reports Scam Email

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Police Department. May 1, 12 p.m.: The manager at Nike reported that a man came into the store with a Target shopping bag and placed a shoe box in and left without paying. A pair of Jordan low sneakers worth $115 was taken. May 2, 6 p.m.: A man came into Nike and took a Tech Fleece sweatshirt priced at $140 and a pair of sneakers worth $75. May 2, 8 p.m.: A woman was seen going into Target and took $295 worth of merchandise, including clothing and cosmetics.

WHS Students, Local Life Science Professionals CoLAB-orate in After School Club

Photo by Charlie BreitroseStudents at Watertown High School got to run hands-on lab analyses during the CoLAB Club. One of volunteers from life science companies, Bridget Kreger of C4 Therapeutics, second from left, and WHS chemistry teacher Liz Mundy look on as the students fill vials with samples. While most of the school was dark and quiet, students were busy in one science classroom at Watertown High School well after the final bell working on a science experiment. The students worked with volunteers from local life science companies as part of the CoLAB Club. The group meets once a month, and conducts simulations of real-world lab work using equipment similar to what the professionals use.