Arthur Unobskey

First Superintendent Finalist Answers Questions from Public, School Committee

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Superintendent finalist Arthur Unobskey said he likes the atmosphere of the Watertown Schools, and if he were appointed head of schools he would stress transparency, communication, collaboration between teachers and staff, and wants to use data to improve how to best teach students. Unobskey, who is assistant superintendent in Gloucester and lives in Lexington, spent the day touring the Watertown Public Schools, meeting teachers and answering the questions of parents and the School Committee. He said he felt a warmth among students, who seemed happy to be in school. He also likes the fact that students come from a diverse set of backgrounds. In the classrooms, Unobskey hopes the school system can create an environment where the ambitious students feel comfortable staying in the town’s schools through high school, while educating those who are not as advanced without splitting students into lanes.

Government

Developers Will Pay More for Shuttle, TMA When They Move Forward

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The $30,000 pledged by developers toward Watertown’s Transportation Management Association is just the start of the funding, said Assistant Town Manger Steve Magoon. A report of the Town Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Transportation in February said that the owners of large commercial and residential projects had committed $30,000 towards the TMA. Magoon said this money will help establish the TMA, and once it gets going the members will pay more. “A big part of the work establishing a TMA is front loaded,” Magoon said. “It’s hard to get payments when there is not an organization yet.”

Real Estate

10 Properties Having Open Houses in Watertown This Weekend

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Here are the properties around Watertown you can visit this weekend. 

$710,000 – 43 Prescott St. 6 room, 3 bed, 2 bath house, Open House: Sunday 12-1:30

$489,000 – 35 Cleveland Road, 5 room, 2 bed, 1.5 bath ranch, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12-2

$489,000 – 90 Harnden Ave. Unit 90, 7 room, 3 bed, 1 bath 2/3 family, Open Houses: Friday 6-7 Saturday 1-3 Sunday 1-3

$729,900 – 276 Waverley Ave. Unit 1, 7 room, 3 bed, 3.5 bath townhouse, Open House: Sunday 12-2

$489,000 – 15 Cleveland Road, 5 room, 3 bed, 1 bath ranch, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12-2

Sponsored by:

$379,000 – 22 Madison Unit 22, 6 room, 3 bed, 1 bath townhouse, Open Houses: Friday 10-11:30 Saturday 11-1 Sunday 12-2

$799,000 – 19 Stuart St., 7 room, 3 bed, 1.5 bath colonial, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12-2

$449,000 – 6 Warwick Road Unit 6, 5 room, 2 bed, 1 bath 2/3 family, Open House: Sunday 1-2:30

$630,000 – 31 Ladd St. Unit 31, 7 room, 4 bed, 3 bath townhouse, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12-2

$879,900 – 63 Boyd St.

Environment

Removal of Trees in Watertown by Cambridge Has Been Halted

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The removal of trees in Watertown by the City of Cambridge has been stopped, and more assessment will be done before any others are removed. Cutting of trees along the Linear Path behind Town Hall and between Whites and Waverley avenues has drawn strong condemnation from many Watertown residents. The trees sit on top of land owned by the City of Cambridge, and which is above a pipe that supplies water to Cambridge. Town Council President Mark Sideris announced the halt of tree removals at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting. “Believe me, the Town, Town Administration and Town Council are very disappointed with the (City of Cambridge’s) actions and the method of communication with the Town,” Sideris said.

Government

Opponents to Watertown Becoming Sanctuary City Pack Council Meeting

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The Council Chamber was standing room only Tuesday night as residents opposed to Watertown becoming a Sanctuary City for undocumented immigrants came out to have their voices heard. The Town Council meeting came two days after hundreds rallied to support all immigrants and to discuss how Watertown could become a Sanctuary City. Around 50 people filled the room, the vast majority of whom applauded for statements opposing the town taking steps toward becoming a Sanctuary Community. Resident Dennis Holland said he did not want to see the town become a Sanctuary Community. “Sanctuary City seems big (in Watertown), but isn’t big to all of us,” Holland said.

Sports

Girls Basketball Wins First Round Game in a Rout, Hosting Quarterfinal

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The Watertown girls basketball team got their EMass title defense off to a good start Tuesday night be beating Chelsea 42-21. Last season, the Raiders made it all the way to the MIAA Div. 2 State Final. The Raiders won their first round game at Watertown High School in convincing fashion. Next up for the third seeded Raiders (15-4) is sixth seeded Hamilton-Wenham (13-8), which beat Swampscott 45-32 Tuesday night.

Government

Opponents, Supporters of a Medical Marijuana Dispensary Have Their Say

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The group proposing opening a medical marijuana dispensary in East Watertown heard from detractors and supporters during a community meeting held at Town Hall Monday night. 

Natural Selections has proposed opening a facility serving people with medical marijuana prescriptions in a building behind the A-Affordable Auto Insurance Building, across Elm Street from the Watertown Mall parking lot. Aidan O’Donovan, Chief Operating Officer for Natural Selections, said he expects to have around 200 customers a day, and – if approved – hopes to be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The group has secured 22 parking spaces. The most vocal opposition for the dispensary came from residents living near the proposed site who said that East Watertown, in particular their area near Elm and Arlington streets, has endured too much already. “East Watertown has rights,” said Eric Boyd, who would live less than 500 feet from the dispensary. “East Watertown has been a dumping ground for everything because it is in an industrial zone.”