Sports

Watertown Basketball, Hockey Teams Get Ready for Home Openers

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The Watertown winter sports teams will have quite a time coming up with a better encore for the 2015-16 season, after the boys hockey team won its first state title and the girls basketball team made it to the Garden for the EMass final. 

The Raiders hockey and basketball teams will hold their home openers this weekend, with the hoops squads tipping off Friday and the pucksters teams hitting the ice on Saturday. Both sports opened their seasons on the road this week, but only one of four teams came away with a win. Hockey
The defending Div. 3 State Champion boys hockey team is ranked 22nd in the ESPN Boston poll and has experienced forward lines, but an inexperienced defense and goalie. The Raiders fell on the road to Arlington by a score of 6-2 on Wednesday night.

Development

LETTER: 2 Residents Want to See Vision for Rezoning Malls Area

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Deborah Peterson and I have been working conscientiously on the RMUD issues, attending meetings, studying the Comprehensive Plan and Design Guidelines and talking with others. The following is what Deborah tried to present at the economic development sub-committee meeting of the Town Council on Dec. 15. She was roundly dismissed by the Chair Steven Corbett, telling her she was out of line in bringing up these issues. She had only begun to give her statement.

Development

Subcommittee Recommends Building Heights up to 130 Feet in RMUD

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There are only two buildings in Watertown 13o feet or taller, but there may be another if the Council subcommittee’s recommendation becomes part of the new zoning for the area around the town’s two malls. Maximum height was one of the amendments to the Regional Mixed Use District zoning discussed Tuesday night at the Community Development and Planning subcommittee meeting at the Watertown Free Public Library. Height has been a contentious issue for many residents who don’t want to see large buildings going up in Watertown, especially near the Charles River. “Are you people crazy? These buildings are too tall!”

Government

Watertown Cable’s New Contract Will Bring More Live Events to Viewers

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Watertown Cable Access announced its new contract with Comcast, which will bring improvements to local programming, including more live meeting and sports coverage. 

As part of the deal struck with the cable provider, Watertown Cable will increase its operating budget from $360,000 a year to $450,000, said attorney William Hewig of Kopelman and Paige, who represented the WCA-TV in the negotiations. This will be done with subscribers paying only about a $1 more a month, he said. He has seen other towns go up $3 to $5 a month. Watertown Cable will also receive $572,000 in equipment and other capital projects. This will improve the quality of existing connections and add more direct links, said Watertown Cable Executive Director Helen Chatel.

Pedestrian Struck

UPDATED: Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle Near Mt. Auburn Street, Taken to Hospital

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A pedestrian was struck on Adams Avenue near Mt. Auburn Street, late Tuesday morning. 

According to scanner reports, the pedestrian was trapped under the vehicle. After being freed, the person was taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Watertown Police announced that a pedestrian was struck on a driveway on Adams Avenue. The accident was reported at 11:16 a.m. The adult pedestrian suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital.

Government

Watertown State Rep. Hecht Reflects on His Work in 2015

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With the end of the first half of the 2015-16, State Rep. Jonathan Hecht, who represents 3/4 of Watertown, looked back on his work during the year in two updates he recently wrote up. 

Hecht was one of 11 Democrats who voted against eliminating the term limit for the House Speaker, and the only one to speak on the floor about it. “I believe that eliminating term limits will further concentrate power in the Speakership, reduce open debate and independent thinking in the House, and heighten the risk of corruption and other abuses,” Hecht wrote. He also wrote about his efforts to not let experienced state employees leave as a result of Gov. Baker’s retirement incentives, funding the MBTA, expanding Earned Income Tax Credits and much, much more. Hecht also looked back at help he provided people in his district. Some of the areas include helping people access government services, including joining with Watertown Social Services Resource Specialist Danielle DeMoss and the Watertown Housing Authority to find housing for two Watertown families at risk of becoming homeless.

Around Town

Library Announces the 2016 ‘One Book, One Watertown’ Title

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Get ready to read this year’s selection for the annual townwide book event – One Book, One Watertown. 

The Watertown Free Public Library announced the selection for their 2016 “One Book, One Watertown” community read: The Race Underground by Doug Most. The Race Underground “weaves together the egos, political hurdles and other daunting challenges … in a sweeping narrative of late-19th-century intrigue” according to Sam Roberts of the The New York Times. One Book One Watertown programming will take place throughout March 2016, and will include a visit from the author, Doug Most, a program on modern transportation and urban planning with the MIT SENSEable City Lab, an art exhibition in the library’s gallery, a Boston/New York trivia night, films, book discussions, and more. Stay updated via the library’s Facebook page.

Cross Country

Two Raider Athletes Excelling in College, See Who Made the League All-Stars

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Two Watertown High School grads have found success on the college athletic fields this fall. 

Former Raiders quarterback Joey Farrar has switched sides of the line of scrimmage and “is now wreaking havoc for his opponents on defense playing in the safety spot” at Salve Regina according to the profile on Wicked Local Watertown written by Frank Santarpio. Farrar made 47 tackles and four interceptions for the Seahawks, who went 8-2 and won an ECAC bowl game. Over at Babson College, former Watertown field hockey goalie Kayla Costa has enjoyed her time on the field and off. She started her junior and senior year, and was named to the Longstreth/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Div. III All-America Second Team after giving up only 10 goals and going 17-3 this year, according to a story on story on Wicked Local Watertown by Scott Souza.