Arsenal Project

One Tall Building in Plan for Arsenal Mall; Some Worry About Park Next Door

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A redeveloped Arsenal Mall could have one building of up to 10 stories, but not more than that, and mall owners may improve Arsenal Park, the owners of the mall revealed Saturday at a meeting about the new zoning proposed for the east end of Arsenal Street. Owners of the Arsenal Project revealed more details of their vision for redeveloping the mall if the Regional Mixed Use District gets approved by the Town Council. The vote on the RMUD zoning must be taken by Feb. 9, and would change the area from a heavy industrial zone (I-1) to one where projects can include retail, office and residential. Developers can apply to have heights taller than the current limit it town – 55 feet.

Around Town

Powerful Speeches Part of the 16th Annual Watertown Unity Breakfast

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The 16th annual Watertown Unity Breakfast was filled with calls to action, and speeches that made people think about discrimination felt by groups in today’s world –  poor minority communities, Muslims and the LGBT community. The keynote speaker, Andrea James, has been working to change the “mass incarcerations” due to the War on Drugs, which she said has unfairly targeted “poor communities of color.” James is the founder and executive director of Families for Justice as Healing, and was an inmate herself at the Danbury Federal Correctional Facility, made famous by the show “Orange is the New Black.” The system is broke, James said. In Massachusetts, for instance 60 percent of inmates come back into the system after being released.

Charity

LETTER: Wayside Thanks Sacred Heart Parish for Its Generosity

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Dear Editor,

On behalf of Wayside Multi-Service Center’s Social Services Resource Specialist program for the Town of Watertown, I am writing to express how moved we were by the generosity of the Parish of the Sacred Heart this Christmas season. As the Social Services Resource Specialist for the Town of Watertown, I work with many families in the community that need extra support and resources, and for these families, as for many of us, this time of year can be very difficult. The generosity of gift donations the Parishioners contributed helped over 30 families have a very special holiday! I often think of the quote from Mahatma Gandhi that says, “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” Rev. Curran and the Parish of the Sacred Heart have shown compassion, friendship and the best form of community through their generous donations. On behalf of all the families, and the staff of Wayside Multi-Service Center, we thank the Parish of The Sacred Heart so much again and we wish you all a wonderful 2016!  

Sincerely,
Danielle DeMoss, LICSW
Watertown Social Services Resource Specialist
Wayside Youth & Family Support Network /Multi-Service Center
127 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA.

Sports

WHS Sports: Basketball Teams Enjoy Successful Week, Track Claims Win at Relays

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The Watertown basketball team enjoyed a good week against two Middlesex League opponents. The boys basketball team beat Melrose 53-43 on Tuesday to claim its third straight win. Senior Derek Diepietrantonio scored 24 points, and sophomore John Korte grabbed a double-double, according to the report on Wicked Local Watertown. The Raiders winning streak ended Friday with a 58-49 loss at Wakefield. Watertown is now 4-5.

Arrests

Police Log: Construction Vehicle Stolen, Copper Downspouts Missing

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
Jan. 5, 10:54 p.m.: Police knew that a man on Adams Street had a warrant for his arrests. They served the warrant and arrested the Watertown man on the warrant from Cambridge District Court possession of a Class A drug, conspiracy to violate drug laws and intimidation of a witness. Jan.

Schools

Public Invited to Screening of Movie, Discussion on Schools of the Future

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Watertown Community Foundation and the Watertown Public Schools are pleased to present a screening of “Most Likely to Succeed.” Come see this ground breaking movie about education, and be a part of the discussion about the future of education in Watertown – with parents, other residents, students and faculty. Schools systems around the nations are using the ideas from the movie to drive discussions about re-imagining education and what our students are capable of. Sal Khan of the Khan Academy says of this movie: “The 21st century is going to be all about building, creating, and innovating. This remarkable film shows a path of how we can empower all of our children to do that.” Two show times will be held at Watertown High School’s auditorium on Feb.