NEASC

High School Re-Accredited, But Report Says School Facility Needs Upgrading

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Watertown High School received the seal of approval from the re-accreditation team visited the high school last spring, but there are still some areas in glaring need of improvement, the report said. The school has received notice from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges’ Commission on Public Schools, WHS Principal Shirley Lundberg told School Committee members last week. The school not only received re-accreditation but got a large number of commendations, Lundberg said. “When the process started I went to a conference where they say to expect to get about 12 commendations,” Lundberg said. Watertown received 26 accreditations, she added.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Hits Home With Car Repeatedly, Misunderstanding Over Uber

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
Feb. 17, 4:40 p.m.: Police stopped a vehicle on Pleasant Street for crossing over marked lanes, and having improper inspection. When police spoke to the woman they discovered she had an arrest warrant in her name. The 44-year-old Newton woman was arrested on the warrant from Brookline District Court for traffic offenses.

School Committee

Consultant to be Hired to Plan for Renovation of Watertown’s Schools

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The School Committee agreed to hire a consultant to get the planning for renovating Watertown’s schools rolling, and at the same time officials will apply to the state for money to renovate the high school. School officials want to renovate the five Watertown schools, but they need to decide which to tackle first. School Committee Chairman John Portz announced last week that a “request for qualifications” has been put out by the district looking for consultants. “There are a series of next steps. One is hiring a consultant to prioritize building projects,” Portz said.

Around Town

Local Groups to Hold Rally to Support Immigrants, Refugees in Watertown

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Several Watertown groups will be hosting vigil and community forum supporting immigrants and refugees in town this weekend. Organizers sent out the following announcement:
Please join us for a very special event on Sunday, February 26. Watertown Welcomes Immigrants is a community event to demonstrate support for immigrants and refugees living in Watertown. There will be a Vigil from 3:00-3:45 p.m. in Watertown Square. Please bring signs that express your support for immigrants and refugees in Watertown, in Massachusetts and in the country.

Schools

Watertown Schools Release Statement on Respecting Diversity

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In light of recent discussions at the Federal level about travel bans from certain countries and immigrations, School Committee Chairman John Portz and Interim Superintendent John Brackett released a “Statement on Respecting Diversity.” The statement reads:
In Watertown, we celebrate our diversity. As a school system, we are committed to protecting the right of all students and educators to participate in our learning community. Recent events at the national level regarding travel restrictions and related actions prompt us to reiterate and reassure that Watertown Public Schools is an open, welcoming, and inclusive place to learn and work. Debates in national policy continue, but we are committed to providing a safe, learning environment for all students.

Around Town

See What is Open and What’s Closed on Presidents Day

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Monday is President’s Day, and many government offices will be closed, but most businesses will be open. See how it will impact your life, including trash pick up. Town Hall: Closed

Watertown Free Public Library: Closed

Watertown Seniore Center: Closed

Schools: Closed Monday and the rest of the week

Trash/Recycling Pickup: Delayed one day this week

Post Offices: Closed

State offices: Closed

Registry of Motor Vehicles: Closed

Federal offices: closed

Courts: Closed

Retail Stores: Open

Restaurants: Open

Liquor Stores: Open

Banks: Closed

Stock Market: Closed

Real Estate

Here are the Four Homes that Sold in Watertown This Week

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See details about the four homes that sold this week in Watertown. $780,000 – 63-65 Burnham St., 2 unit, 13 total room, 6 total bedroom, 2 Family multi-family home

$399,000 – 57 Green St. Unit 57, 4 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full & 1 half bathroom, Other condo/townhouse

Sponsored by:

$570,000 – 87 Watertown Unit 87, 7 room, 3 bedroom, 3 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse

$772,000 – 133 Hillside Road, 2 unit, 11 total room, 4 total bedroom, 2 Family multi-family home

Around Town

Town Council Disappointed to Hear About Delay of Watertown Shuttle

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After years of pushing for a shuttle as an addition to the public transportation options in Watertown, Town Councilors were disappointed to hear that for the second time the roll out of the shuttle buses would be delayed, and that there was a suggestion to do away with the shuttle. On Tuesday, the Ad Hoc Committee on Transportation report from its Jan. 12 meeting was presented to the Town Council, including word that the shuttles would not start in the spring, as hoped, but in the fall of 2017 – at the earliest. This comes after it was announced in September that the start of the shuttle would be delayed from the Fall of 2016 to the spring of 2017. The effort to create a Watertown Transportation Management Association (TMA) is being spearheaded by the 128 Business Council, which has been hired as a consultant.