Boston Marathon Bombing

Local Reporter Tells Story of Boston Cop Who Died from Injures from the Watertown Shootout

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The puzzling death of a Boston Police officer who was injured during the Watertown Shootout and died suddenly a year later was chronicled by Watertown-based reporter Adam Sennott. Boston Police Officer Dennis O. Simmonds was described as a model police officer, and was one of the officers who responded to the shootout with the Boston Marathon Bombers in Watertown. Though not publicized Simmonds was injured in the shootout. He was honored by the Boston Police and was presented an award from the National Association of Police Organizations by President Obama. A year later he died of what was called a brain aneurism, but an autopsy was not performed.

Real Estate

Nearly 20 Watertown Properties are Having Open Houses

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This week’s open house list has a wide range of homes to choose from. $550,000 – 7 Swetts Court Unit 7, 6 room, 4 bed, 1.5 bath townhouse, Open Houses: Saturday 4-6 Sunday 12-3

$509,900 – 212 Westminster Ave., 6 room, 3 bed, 1 bath cape, Open House: Sunday 1-3

$499,900 – 69 Galen St. Unit 5, 4 room, 2 bed, 2 bath garden condo, Open House: Sunday 11:30-1

$635,000 – 19 Wilmot St., 8 room, 4 bed, 1.5 bath single family, Open Houses: Saturday 11-1 Sunday 12-2

$339,000 – 32 Whites Ave. Unit D37, 4 room, 2 bed, 1 bath mid-rise, Open Houses: Saturday 12:30-2 Sunday 12:30-2

$749,000 – 378-380 School St., 2 unit, 12 total room, 4 total bedroom 2 family, Open Houses: Saturday 1-3 Sunday 1-3

$349,000 – 38 Duff St. Unit 38, 6 room, 2 bed, 1 bath townhouse, Open House: Sunday 12-2

$640,000 – 349 School St., 7 room, 4 bed, 1.5 bath colonial, Open Houses: Friday 11:30-12:30 Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$390,000 – 290 Pleasant St.

Enrollment

Policy Changes Will Allow Superintendent to Place Students to Avoid Overcrowding

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In hopes of avoiding situations like last year at Cunniff School when classes got overcrowded the School Committee’s Policy Subcommittee approved recommendations to allow the superintendent to place students out of their neighborhood school if it avoids large class sizes. In June, the School Committee requested that Superintendent Jean Fitzgerald freeze enrollment at the town’s three elementary schools, and not place students coming in over the summer until August. They also requested that the Policy Subcommittee come up with a policy to place the students. On Wednesday afternoon, the Fitzgerald told the subcommittee she thought that the current policies regarding attendance areas and assignment of students to schools gave her the tools she needed to make the placement. Students will still be placed in their neighborhood school when possible, Fitzgerald said, but if classes are too large at the school, they will be placed in other schools.

Around Town

Thursday’s Farmers Market Features Peas, Carrots & the Community Gardens

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Thursday afternoon means the Watertown Farmers Market, and this week you can enjoy some summer crops, including peas and carrots of different stripes. 

You will be able to find snap peas, sweet peas, orange and purple carrots at the booths. Also, summer squashes and greens. The market has much more than vegetables. Each week a cheesemaker sets up a table, with Jasper Hill Farm and Central Bottle alternating each week. Another vendor is Ava’s Popcorn, which was recently featured on WGBH’s Craving Boston.

Air Quality Alert

Watch for Rain Around Watertown Thursday Afternoon, Air Quality Alert

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Thursday won’t be as hot as Wednesday, but some severe weather could be heading Watertown’s way. The National Weather Service forecast calls for scattered showers and possible thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon. Some areas could receive heavy rain and possibly strong winds. An Air Quality Alert will be in place from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. in the Boston area, too, the National Weather Service announced. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection said certain sensitive groups could experience health effects, including people with lung disease, heart disease and asthma.

Government

Watertown Shuttle Could be Free for Residents, More Routes Requested

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More details about the planned Watertown shuttle were discussed, including free rides for residents, during Tuesday’s Transportation subcommittee meeting. The shuttle is part of the town’s Transportation Management Association (TMA), and will be paid for largely by large companies and the big apartment complexes going up on Arsenal and Pleasant streets. Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon said that his vision for the shuttle would allow Watertown residents to ride free. “There has been some misconceptions since our last meeting that residents would have to pay to ride the shuttle,” Magoon said. “My expectation is that developers would pay the vast majority of the cost, but the town would also make a financial contribution.

Fire Department

Fire Department Getting Equipment that Can Save Your Life & Theirs

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Watertown’s firefighters just finished training on two new pieces of equipment, one which could save a patient’s life and another that could save a firefighter. 

The first piece of equipment, the Physio-Control LUCAS 2 Chest Compression System, goes around someone whose heart has stopped beating, and does automatic chest compressions. “It does 102 compressions per minute,” said Crystal Perry, sales representative and trainer for Physio-Control, which makes the equipment. Once the equipment is put into place, firefighters can do other treatment, or carry a person out of a house. “That’s what this is perfect for – going down the stairs or in an elevator,” a firefighter said during the training. “You don’t have to stop and do compressions.”