Entertainment

Watertown Chef to be Featured on Food Network Show This Week

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A Watertown chef showed off his cooking abilities on a Food Network show focusing on food to eat while watching football – just in time for the Super Bowl! 

Chef Mike Fucci traveled to California to be part of “Cutthroat Kitchen,” one of the network’s most popular shows, hosted by Alton Brown. The show will air Wednesday night at 8 p.m.

The name of the episode is “Fry-day Night Bites,” and Fucci and the other contestants had to make loaded nachos, fried chicken sandwiches, and an ice cream sandwich. “It sounds simple for a chef to make, but when you are bombarded with challenges it is not as easy as it sounds,” Fucci said. Fucci has been cooking in restaurants since he was a teen, starting when he worked working with his Uncle Mike. Now Fucci runs Chef Mike’s Kitchen, a catering business based in Watertown (see more at his website www.chefmikeskitchen.com).

Government

Council Subcommittee to Look at Marijuana Dispensaries Applying to Open in Town

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Town officials have received two applications from groups looking to open medical marijuana dispensaries in Watertown, and the Council’s Economic Development and Planning subcommittee will discuss the issue Tuesday. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 31 in the Council Chamber in Town Hall, 143 Main St., Watertown. The dispensaries would only be for patients with prescriptions for medical marijuana. Although one indicated that if recreational facilities were allowed to open in Watertown it would seek to also serve recreational customers.

Development

Developers Looking to Turn Former Massage School into Apartment Building

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A commercial building on the Southside of Watertown could be turned into an apartment complex with nearly 50 units, but some residents were skeptical about the plans. 

On Wednesday night, developers from FSL Associates of Newton presented their plan for the property at 101, 103 Morse Street. The plan calls for building a four-story apartment building with 48 units on the property that most recently was home to the Cortiva Massage School. The proposal calls for a mix of unit sizes: 6 studios, 31 one-bedrooms, 10 two-bedrooms and one three-bedroom. The building would not exceed the existing footprint, and some of the asphalt parking area will be turned into green landscaped areas. In their application, developers argue there is little demand for an isolated commercial building in the area that is predominantly residential.

Real Estate

Several Watertown Properties to Look at This Weekend

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See the open houses around Watertown this weekend. $499,000 – 195 Boylston St. Unit 195, 5 room, 2 bed, 2 bath 2/3 family, Open Houses: Friday 4:30-6 p.m. Saturday 12-2 Sunday 2-4

$359,900 – 58 Duff St. Unit 58, 5 room, 2 bed, 1 bath townhouse, Open House: Saturday 11-12:30

$659,000 – 29 Ladd St. Unit 29, 7 room, 4 bed, 3 bath townhouse, Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12-2

$669,000 – 168 Sycamore St.

Police/Fire

Police Chief Says Watertown Will Not Seek Out Immigration Status

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Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn reinforced a message he made at the Unity Breakfast last week, saying that the Watertown Police will not be delving into people’s immigration status when they call the police. 

The issue of undocumented immigrants has risen to the forefront after the Trump Administration announced it would seek to deport all illegal immigrants. Part of the policy announced Wednesday, the administration said they would deny federal funding for communities known as “Sanctuary Cities” which have vowed to protect undocumented immigrants. Watertown is not a sanctuary city, but Lawn said during his entire 28-year-career on the WPD the department has never sought out immigrants to deport them. “We are not changing the way we are dealing with (immigration enforcement). We aren’t asking people about that,” Lawn said.

Sports

Watertown Field Hockey Player Named as High School All-American

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For the second straight year, Watertown’s Kourtney Kennedy has been selected as a Second Team All-American Field Hockey player. Kennedy closed out her senior year at Watertown High School by winning the state title for the fourth time (and the school’s eighth straight). She scored the winning goal in the state final in November and next year she will play Div. 1 college field hockey. Though she had success on the field, Kennedy said she did not think she would be chosen as one of best in the nation.

Animal Control

Dogs Get More Places to Roam, More Rules for Cats in New Animal Ordinance

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Dogs will be allowed to be in more parks in Watertown, while owners have outdoor cats will have more rules to follow in the new Animal Ordinance approved by the Town Council Tuesday night. Under the previous rules no dogs were allowed in Watertown’s parks, except for Whitney Hill, but that changes in the new ordinance, said Animal Control Officer Karen O’Reilly. See the new Animal Ordinance by clicking here. “It allows dogs on leashes on marked or paved walking paths in Whitney Hill Park, Saltonstall Park, Linear Park, Filippello Park, Howe Park and the park behind 552 Main Street,” O’Reilly said. Councilor Angeline Kounelis said she wanted to make sure it was clear that not all walking areas are open for walking dogs, particularly the walking track at Filippello Park and track at Victory Field.