Police/Fire

Watertown Police Emphasizing Building Relationships in Community

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When Watertown Police officers are on patrol, Police Chief Michael Lawn wants them to get to know the people in town and form relationships in the areas where they patrol. 

This is part of the Watertown Police Department’s emphasis on community policing, Lawn to the Town Council at Saturday’s budget hearing. “I tell them, I want you to get out of your car and talk to people,” Lawn said. “You are not starting a new program or making speeches, but talk to people.” As one example, he pointed to Sgt. John MacLellan, who one afternoon bought a bunch of big lollipops and gave them to a group of kids in East Watertown.

Environment

Watertown High Grad Playing in Lacrosse National Title Game With Merrimack

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This weekend, Watertown’s Danny Loprete will take the field at Gillette Stadium with his Merrimack College teammates to play for the NCAA Div. II lacrosse national championship. 

The WHS graduate is a senior on the Warriors team which will make the school’s first ever appearance in the national championship game. The midfielder and face-off man scored two goals and had two assists this year. He also won 56 of 101 face offs and 26 ground balls. Merrimack, ranked fourth nationally, beat No.

Development

Developers to Talk About Phase 2 of Arsenal Yards Project, Including Hotel

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The second phase of the Arsenal Mall renovation, which includes a proposed hotel on Arsenal Street, will be discussed by developers during a Community Meeting on May 31. Boylston Properties and The Wilder Cos. will host a meeting on Wednesday, May 31 at 6:30 p.m. in the Innovation Space in Arsenal Yards, across from HATCH makerspace. Phase 2 focuses on Building B, which is on the west sided of the site, next to the Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates offices. Along with the retail space on the ground floor there will be a hotel and a parking structure (see architectural drawings here).

Around Town

Trucks Heading to Athenahealth Spread Across Five Routes, Some Along River

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Trucks carrying pre-cast concrete pieces bound for the Arsenal on the Charles for Athenahealth’s new garage will be spread out among five different routes in town after residents complained they were using a scenic roadway along the Charles River. Two weeks ago, when large trucks began rolling down Charles River Road, neighbors let the company and the Department of Public Works know they were not happy. On Saturday, Public Works Superintendent Gerry Mee told the Town Council that after testing different routes, the trucks will use other routes, but some will still be using Charles River Road. During the project, which is expected to go until Labor Day, nearly 1,000 truckloads will be delivered to the Arsenal on the Charles, according to a memo from general contractor C.E. Floyd Co. to the DPW.

Election 2017

One Watertown Town Councilor Will Not Run for Re-election This Fall

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As candidates begin pulling papers to run in the 2017 Watertown Town Election, one longtime Town Councilor will not be seeking another term. 

Councilor At-Large Susan Falkoff said she has decided to step down from the Council at the end of her term. “It’s just time,” Falkoff said. “I feel like I have made a good contribution. A lot of things I have worked on have come to fruition.” She was first elected in 2003, but lost in 2005 “along with the CPA,” Falkoff said.

Police/Fire

Pedestrian Struck Monday Morning Near Watertown Square

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A pedestrian suffered “serious injuries” after being struck by a vehicle cross the road near Watertown Square on Monday morning. A man was hit near Watertown and California streets before 9 a.m. on Monday, according to Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. O’Connor said the injuries were serious, but did not have any more information. Police have closed Watertown Street at Aldrich Road, and they are redirecting traffic down California Street.

Around Town

Experts on Opioid Use to Provide Information, Hope During Watertown Event

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The WATERtown Task Force on Substance Use Disorder will present noted speakers on the science of opioid use as a disease, providing hope and resources for recovery, providing support to families, and an update on what is available in Watertown to help combat this epidemic. The event will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 from 7-9 p.m. at Taxiarchae Greek Orthodox Church, 25 Bigelow Ave. Watertown. Speakers Include:

Dr. Theoharis Theoharides, MD, PhD, Professor of Integrative Physiology & Pathobiology, MS, MPhil, Immunology, Yale University, PhD, Pharmacology, Yale University MD, Yale University. Appointed member to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Opioid Drug Formulary Commission.

Police/Fire

Police Searching for Missing Watertown Man, May Have Been in Nahant

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A Watertown man has been reported missing since Sunday morning, and Watertown Police seek help in finding the 26-year-old man. Nolan Gargas, 26, was last seen on Saturday night, and his mother said she believes he drove to Nahant to photograph the sunrise, which is something he sometimes does, according to a report by NBC Boston News. Missing: Nolan Gargas, 26 yrs old, wht male, 6’2″, 150 lbs. Last wearing grn&wht plaid shirt. Maybe in Nahant area.