Mascot

Committee Narrows Down Possible Mascots/Logos for Watertown High School

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Knights, Colonists, American Indians, foxes, bobcats, and many more – these are some of the choices that the Watertown High School Mascot Screening Committee has to choose from for the school’s new logo. 

The group of students, alumni, parents and school staff met Tuesday night to review the 17 submissions for the new WHS mascot/logo, and shortened the list for the graphic designer working with the group to have some ideas. The submissions came from students and others in town, said School Committee Vice Chair Kendra Foley, who is chairing the Mascot Screening Committee. One even came from a fifth grader. The group was asked what characteristics they wanted the mascot to have. One of the students on the committee, Abbie Peterson, said she wanted to show that Watertown is “a strong community, we don’t let anything hold us back and we strive to be the best.”

Real Estate

A Huge Number of Open Houses in Watertown This Week

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Check out the 16 open houses around town this weekend. $699,000 – 130 Cypress St., 9 room, 4 bed, 2 bath colonial, Open Houses: Saturday 2-3:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$575,000 – 119 Templeton Pkwy. Unit 119, 8 room, 2 bed, 1 bath 2/3 family, Open Houses: Saturday 1-2:30 Sunday 1-2:30

$729,900 – 114 Forest St. Unit 114, 7 room, 3 bed, 2.5 bath townhouse, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$699,000 – 198 Arlington St., 2 unit, 11 total room, 4 total bedroom 2 family, Open House: Saturday 12-1:30

$559,000 – 52 Edward Road, 7 room, 3 bed, 1 bath cape, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1 Sunday 11-12:30

$639,999 – 92 Highland Ave. Unit 92, 7 room, 3 bed, 2 bath 2/3 family, Open House: Saturday 12-2

$659,000 – 24 Appleton St.

Government

Some Changes in Store in Watertown’s Proposed Trash/Recycling Contract

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Trash collection would move to five days a week and yard waste would be collected on the same day as trash under the proposed new trash/recycling collection contract being offered to the town. Weekly recycling, however, is not part of the deal. The five year deal with Republic Services, the same company that currently picks up trash and recycling, would cost $12.43 million over that time. The contract could have been higher, said Dan Higgins, municipal services manager for Republic. “We identified ways to be more efficient and overcame projected const increases for the town,” said Higgins, who said there will be increases in wages, increased fuel costs and higher rates for disposing trash at the incinerator facility.

Around Town

Flags Laid to Rest Respectfully During First Flag Retirement Ceremony

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The flag that flew in front of Watertown Town Hall got a retirement with the full honors Wednesday evening. 

For the first time in memory, the Town of Watertown held a flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day. Local veterans groups, the Watertown Police Honor Guard, and sailors from the U.S.S. Constitution all took part in the ceremony at Ridgelawn Cemetery. The ceremony was lead by Watertown Veterans Agent Mark Comeiro. “When a flag has serve its useful life, it should be retired,” Comeiro said. The flag flew on the pole in front of Town Hall until Memorial Day, Comeiro said.

Government

Joint Town, Athenahealth Improvements to be Discussed by Town Council

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The public is invited to a Special Town Council Meeting to discuss a set of improvements proposed jointly by the Town and Athenahealth. The meeting will be held on Thursday, June 29 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers in Town Hall, 149 Main St., Watertown. The proposed work would be part of the I-Cubed program, in which a developer – in this case Athenahealth – bonds money from the state to pay for the infrastructure and teams with public entities – the Town of Watertown and the Department of Conservation and Recreation – to do the improvements. The bonds will be paid by the increased tax revenue going to the state from Athenahealth’s campus expansion and the additional jobs it will create. None of the money can be spent on Athenahealth’s property.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Seek Info on Person Who Shot Goose with Dart

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Watertown Police seek information on who ever shot a goose with a blow dart last month. 

In mid-May, Watertown Police and the Watertown Animal Control officer received a report of an injured bird found near the Charles River in the area of the Dealtry Memorial Pool, owned by the DCR. “Thanks to our Watertown, MA Animal Control, and the Animal Rescue League of Boston, the goose was captured and is recovering at Tufts Wildlife Clinic,” Watertown Police said on its Facebook page. Police suspect the person shot the goose from one of the public docks along the Charles River. “We ask anyone with information to contact Karen O’Reilly, Watertown, MA Animal Control at 617-972-6446. We also ask for your help spreading the word, be observant if you frequent that area, and report any criminal or suspicious activity,” Watertown Police announced.

Election 2017

Decision Made on How to Fill Vacant School Committee Seat

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The School Committee will have an open seat when one of its members moves out of town, and the seat will be filled by a special election that will be on the ballot during this fall’s Town Election. 

In May, School Committee member Candace Miller announced she would be stepping down from her seat because she and her family are moving. She told her colleagues on June 5, and submitted her letter of resignation to the Town Clerk that week saying she will officially step down on Aug. 5. The decision of how the remaining 2 years and two months is made by the Town Council. Tuesday night Council President Mark Sideris recommended that a special election be called.

Government

Public Invited to Meeting About Redesigning Mt. Auburn Street

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Find out about the redesign of Mt. Auburn Street and give your input during a joint meeting of the Town Council’s Public Works subcommittee and the Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee. 

The meeting will be held on Monday, June 19, 2017 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers in Town Hall, 149 Main Street, Watertown. The project got mixed reviews when it was discussed in December 2016. The Department of Public Works sent out the following information:
The Watertown Department of Public Works will provide an update focusing on options for bicycle accommodations on Mount Auburn Street. The project team will welcome public comments on the bicycle accommodations before we refine the preliminary design of the project.