Government

Watertown’s Kaprielian as Head of Regional Federal Department

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Former Watertown State Rep. Rachel Kaprielian continues to rise higher in government, with her latest post as head of the Northeast Regional Office of the Federal Department of Health and Human Services. In her new post, Kaprielian will be based out of Boston and will oversee the HHS in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, according to a report in the Boston Business Journal. “Rachel’s work in state and local policy will surely be an asset to our Region I office,” said Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell in a release. “We look forward to Rachel joining her fellow Regional Directors as they continue their work delivering impact in communities around the country.”

Most recently, Kaprielian served as the state’s Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development under Gov. Deval Patrick, but was replaced when Charlie Baker took office. Prior to that she severed as the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

Real Estate

Here Are This Weekend’s Watertown Open Houses

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Find out where the open houses will be around Watertown this weekend. $399,000 – 8 Summer Unit 2, 3 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, 3 family, Open Houses: Saturday 11 a.m.-1 p.m Sunday 12-2 p.m.

$425,000 – 93 Spring St. Unit 27, 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom townhouse, Open Houses: Friday 5-6:30 p.m. Saturday 1-2:30 p.m.

$279,000 – Aldrich Road Unit B, 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom condo, Open Houses: Saturday 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday 1-2:30 p.m.

Sponsored by:

$499,000 – 36 Falmouth Road, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom cape, Open House: Friday 5-6:30 p.m.

$775,000 – 700-702 Belmont St., 2 unit, 12 total room, 5 total bedroom, Open House: Sunday 12-1:30 p.m.

$899,900 – 75 Summer St. Unit 75 Watertown, 3 bedroom, 3 full 2 half bathroom townhouse, Open House: Saturday 12-1:30 p.m.

Development

Planning Board Gets Look at New Rules for Developments in Watertown

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After several months work, the Planning Board got to look at the new rules that could shape how future building projects will look in Watertown. The design standards will not just determine what is built inside the box that makes up a building, said Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon, it will also impact how it influences surrounding areas and environments. The proposed design standards were presented to the Planning Board Tuesday by the consultant hired to come up with the alterations to the town’s zoning, David Gamble of Gamble Associates. “Planning works and this is what should be doing,” Gamble said. “You are ahead of the game compared to other towns not under development pressure.”
The Town Council requested the design standards after the town went through development booms on Pleasant and Arsenal streets.

Schools

Federal Grant ‘PEP’-ing Up Physical Ed Classes in Watertown

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A Federal grant has pumped more than $500,00 into physical education in Watertown’s schools, and has allowed gym class to be more than just sports and has branched outside the gym. The Watertown Public Schools is in the second year of the three-year Carol M. White Physical Education Program (or PEP) grant. The district received $391,269 the first year, another $126,034 the second year and is expected to get another $116,936 the third year, said Director of Wellness and Extended Services Donna Ruseckas. This is the second time Watertown has been awarded the PEP grant. “It’s voted on every year by Congress and only so many districts get it,” Ruseckas said.

Business

Watertown Real Estate Agency Hosting Business Networking

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The Mike DelRose Team would like to extend an open invitation to our community to join us in our office for networking and social hours every Tuesday from 4-7 p.m.

Enjoy refreshments while discussing our town, current events, and meeting new professionals in our area. We offer free parking in our lot (access off of Maple Street) as well as on-street parking. Mike DelRose Team is located at 142 Galen St., First Floor Suite, Watertown, MA 02472

To RSVP for any of the Mike DelRose Team events, let them know you will be joining via MeetUp by clicking here.

Schools

Watertown Students Host SPEAK Week at High School

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The following article was written by Watertown High School junior Crist Patvakanian:

It’s that time of the year again! SPEAK Week, organized by the Watertown Youth Coalition Peer Leaders and funded by the Watertown Community Foundation, took place from March 9th to March 13th at the Watertown High School. For those of you who are unfamiliar, SPEAK Week, which stands for Sharing Personal Experiences and Knowledge, is a week where speakers and activities take place in WHS to help educate students about healthy decision-making, substance abuse, bullying, and suicide prevention. SPEAK Week also allows the diverse clubs of the school to promote their own interesting and useful messages during lunch periods. This year’s clubs that participated include the Watertown Youth Coalition, the Feminist Coalition, the Armenian Club, the GSA, the Animal Rights Club, the Environmental Club, and the International Club.

Around Town

Watertown Square Lighting Up for Autism Awareness April 2

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Check out the lights on the “delta” in Watertown Square Thursday night when they light up in honor of World Autism Awareness Day. The Watertown Autism Family Support Group will also have a special display on the grassy area at the major intersection in the center of town. The group released the following information:
Each April 2, the international autism community, in commemoration of the United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day, celebrates Light It Up Blue. Light It Up Blue is a unique global initiative that kicks-off Autism Awareness Month and helps raise awareness about autism. In honor of this historic day, many iconic landmarks, hotels, sporting venues, concert halls, museums, bridges and retail stores are among the thousands of buildings lit blue to raise autism awareness.

Elections

Watertown Man Honored for Role in Passing State Ballot Question

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Watertown’s Steve Aylward and his two campaign received national recognition for their work on passing Question 1 which removed the link of Massachusetts’ gas tax to inflation and faced a well-funded “No” campaign. On March 19, Aylward, a Republican State Committee member; Republican strategist Holly Robichaud; and GOP State Rep. Geoff Diehl of Whitman, co-chairs were honored by the American Association of Political Consultants with with the Ballot Measure Campaign of the Year for their work on Question 1. The ceremony was held in New Orleans

“Easily the biggest challenge was money,” Aylward said. “We were outspent 31-to-1.” While the No campaign had the support of big construction firms and other groups, the Yes campaign relied on small donations from individuals.