Police/Fire

Watertown Firefighter Marks Contract Signing With Unusual Donation

By |

A Watertown firefighter decided to celebrate the signing of the Watertown Fire contract after more than 6.5 years without one by making a special donation to help a cancer patient. Fellow firefighters noticed that Guillermo “Willie” Gaitan, a 30-year veteran of the WFD, had hair long enough for a ponytail. Willie half-jokingly said that he was not going to cut it until they had a contract, according to another firefighter. That was almost 3 years ago. Last week, upon the yes vote on the contract for Watertown Firefighters Local 1347, Firefighter Gaitan headed to the barber shop. When asked about his decision Willie replied, “I saw an opportunity to help others, and that’s what we do.”

His hair created a 15-inch braid, which has been donated to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, which partners with the American Cancer Society to donate ponytails and funds the crafting of wigs for cancer patients.

Elections

LETTER: Town Council Hopeful Says She Is Not a Single Issue Candidate

By |

Editor,

As a dedicated 20 year Watertown volunteer and citizen advocate, I am not a single-issue candidate for District B Town Councilor. The fact that I garnered the most votes, over 43 percent of the votes in the September 17 Preliminary Election, in a race with four candidates including an established incumbent, is not trivial. Watertown is undergoing unprecedented change and District B needs proactive leaders to embrace new ideas, enact best practices, and engage all residents. I will also bring new energy and a personal approach to Town Council. My life’s work has been about bringing people together to produce better outcomes, whether in the workplace, the schools, the neighborhood or community at large.

Around Town

Watertown Honors its War Killed & Wounded, Named a Purple Heart Town

By |

Watertown has a long history of military service stretches back to George Washington’s time, and the town has more than 40 Purple Heart recipients – the medal honoring those injured or killed in combat. Several of them were on hand Tuesday evening, along with family members of many others, for the ceremony recognizing the town as a Purple Heart Community. 

“We are here to honor all of those who sacrificed for their country and were killed or wounded in combat,” said Watertown Veterans Services Officer Mark Comeiro, during the ceremony next to Town Hall in Saltonstall Park. One of those honored was 89-year-old Henry Mosca, who was hit by shrapnel while serving in the Army during the Battle of the Bulge. He wore his medal to the ceremony. “I don’t show (the Purple Heart) it off.

Police/Fire

Watertown Bank Robbed, Police Release Photo of Suspect

By |

A man entered the Stop & Shop on Pleasant Street and robbed the Citizens Bank branch inside, and Watertown Police have released images of the suspect. 

The man came into the store around 2:20 p.m. on Sunday and approached the bank, said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. “He demanded employees hand over large bills,” Lawn said. “They gave him an undisclosed amount of cash and was seen getting into a blue sedan driven by another male.” The suspect is described as a while male, clean shaven, about 6-feet tall, 180 lbs., 40-50 years old, and wore a fur-lined winter hat with ear flaps, gold-framed aviator sunglasses and a blue jacket with grey sleeves, Lawn said. The car he left in was last seen heading down Pleasant Street toward Waltham.

Entertainment

Revels Will Sing at the Commander’s Mansion in Watertown

By |

The Revels Salon Series returns to the Commander’s Mansion in Watertown with two Welsh-centric presentations including one on Dylan Thomas’s A Child’s Christmas in Wales with Ben Evett and The Poets’ Theatre

Eclectic in content and social in nature, the Salon Series offers a place for guests to gather, enjoy wine and cheese, and hear talks about various subjects relating to Revels and our upcoming productions. Salons are held once a month on Friday evenings in October and November at the historic Commander’s Mansion in Watertown. A Revels Christmas in Wales – Friday, Oct. 23, 2015

Your evening’s hosts, Revels directors George Emlen and Patrick Swanson, will deconstruct the process of putting this year’s Welsh Christmas Revels together, from early research through actual site visits, music and text selection, script writing, recording, casting, editing and rehearsing. We promise to keep things cracking with lots of images, photographs, and musical illustrations.

Government

Sen. Brownsberger, Rep. Lawn Hosting Forum on GMO Foods

By |

Legislators in the Second Suffolk and Middlesex district will hold a free public forum on the labeling of genetically modified food on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7-9 p.m. at the Watertown Middle School Auditorium, 68 Waverley Ave., Watertown, State Sen. Will Brownsberger’s office announced. The forum features four academic panelists with various perspectives on GMOs. Attendees will hear substantive information on the science, economics, legal and regulatory frameworks, and health and environmental impacts of GMOs. Following presentations by each of the panelists, there will be time for audience questions and comments.

Charity

Watertown High Robotics Club Honored for Support of Relay for Life

By |

The Watertown High School KwarQs formed to compete in FIRST Robotics competitions, but they have also established a legacy for community service. Their volunteerism was honored by the American Cancer Society for their work at the Watertown Newton Waltham Relay for Life.  

The club start in 2011, and every year 10-20 KwarQs have taken part, said Jennifer Braun, community manager for the Relay for Life. “They have been great. They help set up and take down after the event,” Braun said. “If we need help, we say, ‘Go grab some KwarQs, they will help us.'”

KwarQs coach Nic Smits said that Relay for Life is just one of the charitable events which the team joins.

Business

Lt. Governor Coming to Speak to Watertown Belmont Chamber

By |

The keynote speaker at the Watertown Belmont Chamber of Commerce 42nd Annual Business and Community Awards will be Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. The awards dinner will be held at the Belmont Country Club, 181 Winter St. in Belmont, on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 5:30-8 p.m.

Tickets cost $100, and the price includes hors d’oeuvres, hot stations, dessert and coffee. There will also be a cash bar.