Letters

LETTER: School Start Times, Changing Athletic Subcommittee to One on Student Wellness

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These are the “Unofficial Minutes” of the Policy Subcommittee Meeting on May 19 provided by Watertown Strong Schools, a parents group that follows the Watertown Public School. These Minutes were written by Rebecca Grow and David Stokes. Unofficial Minutes: Policy Subcommittee Meeting on 05/19/2016 – Key Points and Commentary

Note: These are NOT official minutes. Commentary can be found at the end of the minutes. Subcommittee members: Guido Guidotti, Chair; Eileen Hsu-Balzer; Liz Yusem; Jean Fitzgerald, Superintendent

Attendees in the audience: John Portz (SC), Candace Miller (SC), Rebecca Grow (WSS), David Stokes (WSS), Donna Rusekas (and 2 other WPS Administration folks), Stephanie Venizelos (Live Well Watertown and WPS Wellness Committee), Erica Dorenkamp, Charlie Breitrose (Watertown News).

Around Town

A Moose was on the Loose in Watertown This Morning!

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Reports of a moose in Watertown would have to be seen to be believed, luckily the animal was caught on video Wednesday morning! The video was taken by Watertown Police Officers Lamb and Lt. Munger about 6:30 a.m.

The juvenile moose was running down Belmont Street and headed into Belmont. The Environmental Police were notified and responded. The whereabouts of the moose is no known. See the video, which was posted on the Watertown Police Facebook page, below:

Government

Watertown’s New Treasurer Wrangles Better Rate From Banks

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Watertown’s new Treasurer Collector Joseph Divito will be able to bring in more than $100,000 more in investment income for the Town of Watertown this year, after he had some tough talks with some banks. Divito told the Town Council recently that he noticed that the town not getting the best rates for the money it must keep in reserve to pay for the town’s health insurance and retirement benefits – about $60 million. Watertown was only getting a rate of about .2 percent on its savings for its health and other post employment benefits. “I called and asked for a higher rate,” Divito said. “Those banks that wouldn’t budge, they are all gone.”

Around Town

Tour the Arsenal Mall Property to See Where the New Buildings Would Go

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The owners of the Arsenal Mall invite the public to take a tour of the property to see exactly where the new buildings are proposed to go in the renovated mall. Picturing exactly what changes are being discussed for the Arsenal Project can be tough, with new buildings planned where parking lots, or even current buildings now sit. Also, some current buildings will remain. For instance, looking at the picture above, the old building on the right, where Marshalls is located, will stay, but the pedestrian area and the new building (in white) will sit in space now occupied by the section of the mall added to connect the two historic buildings. The owners and designers of the new mall will lead a tour on Wednesday, June 1 at 6 p.m. The group will meet at the Innovation Space, inside the mall, near the Old Navy entrance.

Around Town

Watertown Man Authors Illustrated Book About Bullying

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Local author and cable television host Fred M. Grandinetti recently released a new illustrated book about bullying, based on his own experiences, teaming up with actor Cuyle Carvin. Grandinetti sent oft the following information:

Despite having written five publications, numerous articles for newspapers, magazines and websites plus hosting an award winning television series Grandinetti says, “I have little confidence in myself. Whenever I am given a new project whether at work or home my anxiety levels kick up. I attribute this behavior to being called a loser throughout my years in the public school system. I also suffered a lot of physical abuse. When I walked by Victory Field the entire football team stopped practicing just to scream out (a gay epithet at me).

Around Town

Memorial Day Parade Cancelled by Weather

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The Watertown Memorial Day Parade has been cancelled due to the expected bad weather. The Watertown Police sent out an auto call announcing the cancellation of the annual event. The forecast calls for a 90 percent chance of rain and a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms.

Around Town

Find Out About What the Community Preservation Act Would Mean for Watertown

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The Historical Society of Watertown and Invest In Watertown will host an informational event about the proposed Community Preservation Act, which residents may vote on this fall. The event will be held Wednesday, June 1 at 7 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St. in Watertown. The groups sent out the following information:

The Community Preservation Act is a law that was passed in 2000 that allows the residents of a city or town to adopt a small surcharge on their real estate tax bills to create a fund that can only be used for special community investment purposes. Funds generated by the Community Preservation Act can only be used for:

Open Space and Outdoor Recreation – (Restoration of Walker Pond, creation of a new soccer field, improvements to the Charles River Path, dog parks, playgrounds)
Affordable Housing – (Rehabilitation and new construction of homes that help senior citizens and young families stay in Watertown)
Historic Preservation – (Renovation of a branch library, archiving of historic photos and documents, preservation of historic gravestones, monuments and buildings)

In Watertown the CPA would raise approximately $1.7 million each year and would be eligible for partially matching State funds.

Real Estate

Five Homes Sold in Watertown This Week

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These five homes sold this week in Watertown, including two single-family houses. $485,000 – 40 Oakley Road Unit 40, 7 room, 3 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse

$751,000 – 73 Ralph St. 9 room, 4 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom, Colonial single-family home

Sponsored by:

$375,000 – 59 Pierce Road Unit 59, 6 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

$493,000 – 26 Ladd St. Unit 26, 7 room, 3 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse

$758,500 – 111 Common St., 9 room, 3 bedroom, 1 full & 1 half bathroom, single-family home