Government

Council Asks for Transportation Improvements from Group Studying MTBA

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With changes at the MBTA, and this winter’s transportation woes, the Watertown Town Council will send a letter to the committee set up by Gov. Charlie Baker to examine the MBTA. Last year, Watertown invited MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott to town and showed her the town’s transportation challenges and areas of heavy development that will need transit. The town council followed up with a letter to make sure Watertown’s needs are still in the minds of MBTA officials. The MBTA has shared its ideas for improving the 70 bus route along Main and Arsenal streets, but improvements are also sought for the 71 and 73 routes to Harvard Square. Scott, however, resigned after the challenges the MBTA had during the heavy snows this winter.

Business

Penalties Could Stiffen for Businesses That Do Not Shovel Snow

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Businesses that do not shovel snow could pay a stiffer penalty if the Town Council subcommittee adopts the recommended changes to the town’s snow ordinance. In the current ordinance, commercial properties get a warning for the first violation, a $25 fine for the second violation and a $50 fine for the third. The Rules and Ordinances Committee recommended some changes, said chairman and Councilor Ken Woodland. “To encourage compliance with the town’s ordinance, (the committee) recommended the town should eliminate what is a mandatory warning for first time offenders,” Woodland said. “The committee also recommend increasing increasing the quantity of fines and increase for subsequent fines.”

Around Town

10th Annual Wedding Faire Coming to Watertown’s Commander’s Mansion

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Brides and grooms-to-be can find caterers, photographers, entertainers and more for their big day at the ninth annual Wedding Faire at the Commander’s Mansion in Watertown. Meet the top wedding professionals from the Boston area and see the latest bridal fashions at the event on March 1 and 2 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sample food and prizes will also be given out during the event. Vendors include caterers, florists, photographers, bakeries, entertainment, transportation and more. Different vendors will be featured each day. Tickets cost $5 and is good for the whole weekend.

Entertainment

Free Classical Music Performance Coming to Coolidge Apartments

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On Saturday, March 28 at 7 p.m. musicians from the Longy School of Music will be at the Apartments at Coolidge School for a free performance. The Spring Performance will include operatic performances and selections from Broadway by graduates from the Longy School of Music. Doors open to the auditorium at 6:50 p.m. (This performance is geared toward an adult audience).

Schools

Recommended Watertown School Budget Includes 21 More Staff Members

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The School Committee’s Budget and Finance Subcommittee will submit a budget that would be $2.695 million more than the current school year and would include more than 20 additional teachers and other staff. 

The total budget for Fiscal 2016 (the 2015-16 school year) will be $41.9 million. The Public Hearing on the FY 16 budget will be held at the next School Committee meeting on April 6 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall. Among the new staff requests are one teach each for Cunniff and Hosmer elementary schools. These teachers will help avoid large class sizes, said Superintendent Jean Fitzgerald.  

Librarians will also be added to Hosmer, Cunniff, and Watertown Middle School.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Woman Arrested After Hitting Two Cars, Snowblower Stolen

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
March 12, 12:27 p.m.: Police were called to Main Street near the Central Fire Station and found the suspect near the Watertown Free Public Library. The 65-year-old Boston man had a warrant for his arrest out of Boston District Court for shoplifting. March 13, 2:59 p.m.: A man was found on the ground in a parking lot on Main Street. Police found the man lying next to a snow pile.

Business

Watertown Belmont Chamber Hosting State of the Towns Event

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The Watertown Belmont Chamber of Commerce will host the State of the Towns event on Thursday, April 2. During the event, representatives from Watertown and Belmont will make presentations. The event will be at the Oakley Country Club, 410 Belmont Street, Watertown, on April 2 from 8-9:30 a.m.

Tickets are $35 for WBCC members, $45 for non-members. RSVP by March 25. To register and for more information contact the WBCC at 617-926-1017, info@wbcc.org or WWW.WBCC.org.

Schools

Parents Invited to Series on the Healthy Use of Technology by Children

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The first presentation in a three-part series for parents about healthy use of technology by children will be held Wednesday, March 25. During the presentations  you can learn about how our children use technology and the REAL dangers of being so connected. All presentations will be held at Watertown Middle School. The series is made possible by a grant from the Watertown Community Foundation. The first presentation, The Emotional & Hidden Consequences of the Internet (Parent only presentation) will be held Wednesday, March 25 at 7 p.m. It features Jon Mattleman, Director of Needham Youth Services.