Elections

LETTER: Founder of Progressive Watertown Backs Steve Owens

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Letter to Editor;

I’ve been lucky to be a political organizer in Watertown. Watertown’s reputation as a progressive base has grown with each election, from the Patrick for Governor campaign to the rousing campaigns for Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, and other progressive statewide and local races. In each of these elections, Steve Owens has proven his mastery of GOTV by helping to secure clear majorities for the Democratic candidate in Watertown. During these elections, the state-wide committees saved their resources and let Watertown run with it. In fact, the Warren campaign credits Watertown with training many of their regional coordinators.

Obituaries

OBIT: Marjorie Swift, 92, St. Pat’s Graduate, Worked at Ark-less Switch Co.

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A Funeral Mass for Marjorie E. Swift will be celebrated in the Church of Saint Patrick, Watertown on Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 at 9 a.m.

Miss Swift was a daughter of the late Andrew & Elizabeth (Tiffany) Swift. She passed away in the Sunrise of Burlington Care, on Tuesday evening at the age of 92. Marjorie was born and resided in Watertown until moving to Burlington a few years ago. She went to Saint Patrick High School, Watertown and retired as an inspector from Ark-less Switch Company, Watertown. She was the dear sister of Richard P. Swift of Burlington and the late John, Raymond, William, Harold, James Swift, Marie Harrington and Dorothy Blouin.

Around Town

Gloucester Police Chief Shares New, Effective Ways of Battling Heroin Epidemic

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A room filled with people searching for ways to end the epidemic of heroin and opioid addiction listened with rapt attention Tuesday afternoon to the Massachusetts police chief credited with finding a new and effective way of tackling the problem. After four people in his community died from heroin overdoses last spring, Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello decided to move away from the traditional model of arresting drug user. His department announced on Facebook that any addict who walks into the police station with all of their drug equipment and drugs and asks for help will not be charged. Instead they would be helped to get treatment. The message resonated far beyond Gloucester.

Government

Water Main Break in Waltham May Cause Brown Water in Watertown

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On Tuesday, a water main broke near the Watertown line in Waltham, and efforts to maintain water flow in Watertown could mean residents getting rusty water out of their faucets. The pipe that ruptured at the intersection of River and Seyon streets in Waltham also carries MWRA water to Watertown, said Watertown Public Works Superintendent Gerald Mee. River Street becomes Pleasant Street, and Mee said the flow of water in town had to be reversed to continue to provide service to areas of the west end of town. That stirs up the rust in the pipes, which may end up in people’s water, Mee said. “The way to deal with it is to let your water run until it isn’t brown anymore,” Mee said.

Art

Local Gallery Exhibiting the Work of Watertown High Art Students

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A Watertown High School art class and a local art gallery will team up to give the students an unusual experience for artists their age – their very own art exhibition. Starting on Feb. 4, ROOM 83 Spring will host the exhibit of works created by the advanced art class at the high school. WHS art teacher Donna Calleja and her class has visited the gallery run by Ellen Wineberg and Cathleen Daley on Spring Street, and they decided to take it a step further. “I’ve been taking the class over there the last year-and-a-half, and last spring (Ellen and Cathleen) said why don’t we see how we can host a high school exhibit,” Calleja said.

Sports

WHS Sports: Girls Hockey Player Honored, Wrestling Winning and More

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Watertown girls hockey player Aurora Fidler was named a player of the week by the Boston Globe for scoring two goals in the Raiders 3-2 win over Woburn. Watertown also got a stellar performance from goalie Jonna Kennedy, who made 52 saves. Wrestlers Collect Trio of Wins
Watertown’s wrestlers dominated a quad meet and beat all three opponents, according a story on Wicked Local Watertown. The Raiders defeated Northbridge (36­-18), Gloucester (48­-18), and Josiah Quincy Upper School (42­-18). Among the top performers were Alek Kebabjian (160 pounds), Nick Stanizzi (106), and Farid Mawanda (152) who all went 2-0 during the meet.

Affordable Housing

Council Subcommittee Rules on RMUD Borders, Passes on Affordable Housing

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A subcommittee of the Town Council met Saturday and debated whether to split up the proposed Regional Mixed Use District (RMUD) on the east end of Arsenal Street, but it decided to hold off on a recommendation on whether to increase the affordable housing requirement for the area. 

The Economic Development and Planning subcommittee went through the proposed amendments to the RMUD, which is currently under consideration by the full Town Council. The zoning change would turn the area where the Arsenal and Watertown malls are located (and other nearby properties) from industrial zoned to one where a mix of residential, retail and office would be allowed. Some residents who have followed the process wanted to split the RMUD in two. Currently, Boylston Properties, which owns the Arsenal Project and other parcels south of Arsenal Street, is working on plans to redevelop the mall. Resident Elodia Thomas said people still have questions on how the zoning would work in the entire district, but have seen a lot already about what Boylston Properties wants to do.

Cancer

Watertown Family Receives Money from Cops for Kids with Cancer

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Three-year-old Max Heiniluoma was diagnosed with cancer in October, and has been given a two-year treatment program. While his family’s health insurance covers most of the cost, there are many co-payments and lost wages when Max is in hospital. That’s where Cops for Kids with Cancer steps in. Last week, Robert Faherty, chairman of the board for the non-profit group, came to the Watertown Police Station to present Max’s father Andrew with a $5,000 check to help pay for the costs that insurance doesn’t cover. Andrew heard about Cops for Kids with Cancer and was told to contact his local police department.