Lowell School

Superintendent Announces Appointment of New Lowell School Principal

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After a long, intense search, Stacey Phelan was named as Lowell School’s new principal. Phelan will begin her new position on July 1, 2017, said interim Superintendent John Brackett. She comes to Watertown from Swampscott, where she has been the principal of Hadley Elementary School for the past three years. Before that she was vice principal at Connery Elementary School in Lynn. “She has worked at both high-performing schools and turn around schools,” Brackett said.

Around Town

Flood Watch Issued in Watertown for Heavy Rains Thursday, Friday

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Steady rains on Thursday and Friday combined with recent rain and snow could lead to street flooding and minor flooding of area rivers and streams.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch from Thursday at 8 a.m. to Friday at 8 p.m.

The area could get as much as 1.5 inches of rain over the two days, adding to rivers and streams already swollen by recent storms.

Rains could also lead to local street flooding and flooding in areas of poor drainage.

School Budget

Watertown School Budget Includes Staff Cuts Despite Increasing Funds

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The Watertown Schools will lose several positions in the 2017-18 school year as school officials look to control the increasing costs, but classes will still be under the class-size guidelines in the elementary schools. Interim Superintendent John Brackett presented the budget to the School Committee Monday night. The total budget would be $45.71 million, which is 5 percent above the current year’s budget. It comes in more than $700,000 below the requests from principals and department heads. Interim Business Manager Mary DeLai said that four percent of the increase comes from staff salary and compensation.

Environment

Conservation Commission Looking at Stormwater, Path Projects at Arsenal Mall

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Representatives from the owners of the Arsenal Yards will appear for the second time before the Conservation Commission this week seeking approval for a path and a stormwater system which would change the landscape and require removing and replacing trees in the area. The Conservation Commission meets Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in the Lower Hearing Room in Town Hall. They will discuss the project that would be within the 200-foot buffer from the Charles River, which falls under the Conservation Commission’s authority. Approximately 58,000 of land would be temporarily impacted by stormwater and regrading work located in the northwest corner of the parking lot. The area does not have stormwater treatment, currently.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Threatened on Main Street, Car Stolen off Street

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
March 22, 9 p.m.: A woman was spotted in Target paying for some items but not for other items in her carriage. She was stopped and security found that she had clothing and bedding worth $294.62. She said she had a gift card but it had no money left so she paid for what she could with cash but then left without paying for the other items. The 25-year-old Weston woman was arrested on a charge of shoplifting over $100. March 26, 7:25 p.m.: A man left his cell phone at Domino’s on Arsenal Street and when he went back he caused a disturbance.

Real Estate

Watertown Town House Sells for More Than $1 Million, Six More Home Sold

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Seven homes sold in Watertown, including a town house for more than $1 million. $725,000 – 51 Hall Ave. 2 unit, 12 total room, 6 total bedroom, 2 Family multi-family home

$1,150,000 – 295 Waverley Ave. Unit 295, 11 room, 5 bedroom, 4 full & 1 half bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

$725,000 – 166-168 N. Beacon St. 2 unit, 11 total room, 4 total bedroom, 2 Family multi-family home

Sponsored by:

$699,000 – 61 Wilson Unit 2, 6 room, 3 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

$500,000 – 296 Mount Auburn St.

Facebook

Facebook Argument Turns Into Fracas in Watertown Square

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A disagreement on social media turned into a police incident when two men from Watertown decided they should decide their argument IRL. At 11:10 p.m. on March 23, Watertown Police received a report of a two men fighting in the parking lot next to Dunkin’ Donuts in Watertown Square. The men were yelling at each other when police arrived and they were separated, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “Both had consistent stories. They were involved in an argument on Facebook,” O’Connor said.

Government

Town Council, Town Officials Salute Watertown’s Fallen Firefighter

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This week, the Town Council and Town officials honored fallen Watertown Firefighter Joseph Toscano with a moment of silence at the end of Tuesday’s Town Council, and shared their condolences. Town Council Mark Sideris spoke on behalf of the Town Council. “We express our condolences to his wife, his family and his firefighter family in Watertown and across the state,” Sideris said. Sideris also thanked Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio and the Fire Department for arranging the funeral for Toscano on March 22. “It was a day that we can say we were all proud to be from Watertown,” Sideris said.