Police/Fire

Watertown Couple Arrested After Attacking Elderly Taxi Driver

By |

Police arrested a pair of Watertown residents who allegedly attacked an 80-year-old taxi driver when he confronted them for not paying their cab fare on St. Patrick’s Day. Police received a call from the taxi driver to report a fare evasion. “Officers observed the driver’s face was red and flush, and was bloodied with a possible broken nose,” said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. The taxi driver picked up the couple, identified as Tyler Tuccio and Samantha Moreira of Watertown, in Boston and drove them to Highland Street in Watertown. When he informed them of the fare, Tuccio and Moreira exited the cab without paying, Lawn said.

Charity

Runners, Get Ready for the Second Annual Watertown Police 5K Run

By |

On the second anniversary of the events that lead to the capture of the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects the Watertown Police Supervisor’s Association will hold a 5K road race and walk. Last year, the first WPSA 5K drew thousands of runners and walkers to Watertown. The second annual race will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 19. The event is being organized by Wicked Fun Running Events, and hopes to bring the community together and celebrate the accomplishments and sacrifices that were made during the Boston Marathon bombing and subsequent aftermath, which occurred in Watertown in 2013. Residents, families, friends, business and civic leaders are invited to take part in this growing Watertown tradition.

Development

Special Meeting Planned on Changes to Pleasant Street Zoning, Signage Rules

By |

Two major changes to the Watertown Zoning Ordinance will be discussed by the Town Council at a special meeting. The public hearing on changes to the Pleasant Street Corridor District zoning and the lighting and signage ordinance will be held on Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall, 149 Main Street, Watertown. The changes were proposed by the Town Council, have been discussed by the Planning Board and now comes back to the Council. (See details about the changes here.)

Here is the notice on the Pleasant Street Corridor District Zoning:
The proposed amendments to Section 5.16 would incorporate sub-districts within the Pleasant Street Corridor District to define two new areas where a commercial component is required in new development and another where new development would not allow residential.  The language would also modify the build-to-line, clarify the maximum façade length, and require further step-backs for buildings.  The amendments would also update the Table of Uses and Notes to the Table of Uses to reflect the new zoning.  The amendment also includes a zoning map with the new districts (PSCD-1, PSCD-2, & PSCD-3), and the boundary with adjoining T zone. Signage and Lighting Changes
The Town Council will also consider changes for signs and illumination to create a new ordinance for hotel and motel signs.

Business

Watertown Savings Banks Wants Your Pics for its Photo Contest!

By |

Watertown Savings Bank seeks submissions for its 14th annual photography contest.  
The Neighborhood Photo Contest invites all amateur photographers to submit up to three pictures. Photographs should depict scenes of Watertown, Waltham, Belmont, Arlington, Lexington, or Newton. Submissions may be made via the WSB website:  www.watertownsavings.com/photo
Twelve winning photographs will be selected, and will comprise the bank’s 2016 calendar, which is distributed free to thousands of WSB customers annually. The deadline for all submissions is April 19, 2015.  In addition to appearing in the 2016 calendar, all winning photographs will be exhibited throughout the WSB branch network on their lobby digital screens. 
The bank holds an annual award ceremony to recognize the winners and distribute the awards. All winners will receive an Amazon gift card. First place winner receives $500; second place $300; third place $200; and the nine honorable mentions each receive a $100 gift card. For instructions on entering the contest, please visit the WSB website:  www.watertownsavings.com/photo. For more information, please contact the Marketing Department at 617-928-2336.

Entertainment

‘My Fair Lady’ Coming to the Arsenal Center for the Arts Stage

By |

The Wellesley Players bring “My Fair Lady” – the hummable, quotable, wonderfully enjoyable musical for the whole family – to the Arsenal Center for the Arts stage from April 10-19. The story, the songs, the characters – you know and love them. A Broadway hit when it debuted in 1956, this fan-favorite musical has gone on to win Tony Awards, launch careers and be adapted into the Oscar-winning beloved film. The Wellesley Players brings together an award-winning team to present this beautiful musical in a manner that speaks to today’s audiences. When Professor Henry Higgins bets he can transform a Cockney flower girl into an aristocratic lady, he doesn’t anticipate that Eliza Doolittle will end up transforming him.

Police/Fire

Watertown Woman Busted at a Cracker Barrel on Drug Charges

By |

A Watertown woman faces charges of dealing drugs at at Cracker Barrel restaurant in Tewksbury. Drug dealers keep trying different locations in North Tewksbury to conduct business and the Tewksbury Police Department seems to be there every week for more arrests, according to a report on Your Tewksbury Today. Cracker Barrel was the scene Monday at 7 p.m., when Tewksbury officers encountered two alleged dealers with multiple types of drugs in their possession. Gina M. Valentine, 32, of 64A Belmont St., Watertown, was arrested and charged with possession of a Class A drug with intent to distribute, three counts of possession of a Class E drug and possession of a Class B drug. Matthew F. Reardon, 34, 14 Malvern Ave., Tyngsborough, was arrested and charged with possession of a Class A drug with intent to distribute and possession of Class B drug.

Letters

LETTER: Wayside Thanks Not Your Average Joe’s GM for His Dedication

By |

Letter to the editor,

The staff at Wayside’s Multi-Service Center in Watertown would like to publicly express their gratitude to Ralph Vitiello, General Manager of Not Your Average Joe’s restaurant in Watertown. Ralph previously served as co-chair for the Watertown Youth Coalition’s Steering Committee and he continues to show his dedication to helping youth and families in Watertown by continually providing food for many of our events and meetings. We are ever so grateful for his generosity, attention to detail, always ensuring the availability of vegetarian and gluten-free options, and for his ongoing commitment to youth in the Watertown community. Join us in thanking him by paying him a visit at Not Your Average Joe’s on Main Street in Watertown! Thank you,
Melanie St.