Sports

Watertown Varsity Boys Hockey Team Put on Ice, High School Will Only Have JV

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Last December, Watertown High School’s boys hockey team’s home opener was a time of celebration, as the Raiders raised a banner for the team’s first ever State Championship. This year, however, there will not even be a home opener. 

Just two years removed from winning the MIAA Div. 3 State Championship, Watertown will not have a varsity boys ice hockey team. The numbers of players is too small and other options did not work out. The team has withdrawn from the Middlesex League and will only play a junior varsity schedule, said WHS Athletic Director Michael Lahiff.

Arsenal Mall

Developers Reveal the Arsenal Mall’s New Name, Coming Before Town Soon

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The Arsenal Mall will not only be renovated and redeveloped, but owners Boylston Properties will also rename it Arsenal Yards. Bill McQuillan, principal of Boylston Properties, revealed the new name in an article in the Boston Globe. The project has been presented to the Planning Board once, but developers will be back in Town Hall on Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. to discuss traffic and transportation. The board may vote on the project that night.

Entertainment

Here are the Holiday Events Coming up at the Arsenal Project

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The Arsenal Project (formerly the Arsenal Mall) will host three holiday events that are free and open to the public. SATURDAY, DEC. 3; 2-4 p.m. – Holiday Gifts Make & Take

The Watertown Art Association hosts a free & festive holiday crafting event! Talented local artists & crafters will provide instruction on how to make decoupage plates, pendants, paper boxes and dragon fly pins. SATURDAY, DEC.

Budget Guidelines

Town Council Debates How to Get Items Into Watertown’s Annual Budget

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Each year the Town Council creates budget guidelines and Councilors can present their proposals for the budget during hearings of the Budget and Fiscal Oversight Committee. However, why some proposals make it and some do not is not always clear. 

In the presentation at last week’s  Town Council meeting, Councilor Vincent Piccirilli said the Budget and Fiscal Oversight subcommittee does not decide whether each request is a good idea or not but rather acts as an editor to take input from Town Councilors and “synthesize it into a concise, actionable document for the Manager.” (Click here to see the budget guidelines report). “The Committee may decide to not include a request because it requires policy direction from the Council before the Manager can include it in the operating budget; because it is too ambiguous to be included in the operating budget; because it is part of the Capital Improvement Program and not the operating budget; because it is within the authority of another elected body who has not weighed in it; or because it overlaps with other existing goals or requests,” Piccirilli was quoted as saying in the committee report. Councilor Tony Palomba said that he has been frustrated with his efforts to get items into the budget.

Around Town

Holiday Events: Tree Lighting, Decorated Mansion and Art Show & Sale

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Holiday celebrations start this week in Watertown with three events: a decorated historic mansion, a tree lighting ceremony with Santa and an art show and sale. Commander’s Mansion Holiday Open House
Head to the Commander’s Mansion in Watertown to see Santa, dancers, holiday mocktails and more. The historic home located at 440 Talcott Ave. in Watertown, next to the Arsenal on the Charles, will host the Annual Holiday Open House on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. This is a FREE event and all are welcomed!

Sports

Watertown High School’s Devoted Scoreboard Operator Honored

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For more than a quarter century, Nick Pappas has been the man behind the scoreboard for Watertown High School sporting events. For his dedication to WHS athletic events, Pappas was an honorary captain at this year’s Thanksgiving Football game against Belmont. “I started doing it in 1991, doing basketball and football,” Pappas said. “The first year I did it for free.” Now Pappas gets paid, and he also does baseball.

Around Town

Find Out How to Enter the Watertown Holiday Lighting and Decoration Contest

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Each year, lights and decorations go up around Watertown to celebrate Christmas and the holiday season. If you think your’s is the best in town, enter the Holiday Lighting and Decoration Contest for the chance to win a gift card and a donation for your favorite charity. 

The contest is sponsored by Watertown Realtor Bob Airasian, and the deadline to enter is Dec. 10, 2016. The winner will receive a $250 American Express Gift Card, plus $250 to their favorite charity. Decorations will be judged on the following criteria:
• Unique design and creative use of lights and decorations
• Story line or theme
• Display and placement of decorations, animated objects, etc.

Middlesex District Attorney

Pedestrian Struck on Watertown Street on Monday Dies

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One of two pedestrians struck Monday afternoon has died, Watertown Police said on Tuesday. 

A man and a woman were walking across Watertown Street near Fifth Avenue when a vehicle struck both of them, just before 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28. The man died from injuries suffered in the incident, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. The woman suffered serious injuries and was taken to a Boston hospital for treatment. Police did not release the name of the pedestrians or the driver.