Government

See When You Can Speak With State Rep. Jonathan Hecht

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If you have a question about state government or a issue you need help with, you can discuss it with State Rep. Jonathan Hecht. Rep. Hecht will hold office hours on Wednesday, May 6 from 5-6 p.m. in study room No. 3 in the Watertown Public Library and on Friday, May 8 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the small conference room on the third floor of Watertown Town Hall. Constituents are invited to meet with Rep. Hecht to discuss pending legislation or any other issue of concern to them. Anyone unable to attend these office hours can call Rep. Hecht at 617-722-2140 to schedule an appointment at another time.

Around Town

100th Anniversary of Armenian Genocide to be Commemorated in Boston

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Armenians around the world will mark the 100th anniversary of one of the 20th Centuries biggest tragedies and one that still has important significance in the Armenian culture – the Armenian Genocide. An array of events will be held in Boston on Thursday and Friday and will be attended by many in Watertown. Buses will be traveling to the ceremonies from Armenian churches in town. The following announcement was sent out by the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of America – Eastern Region:

The centennial of the Armenian Genocide, considered the first genocide of the 20th century, will be commemorated during two days of public events in Boston on Thursday and Friday, April 23-24, 2015. With these events, Armenians honor the memory of the one and a half million who were killed, and the legacy of those who survived.

Police/Fire

Brighton Man Busted for Selling Drugs in Watertown

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A 30-year old Brighton man faces multiple drug charges after Watertown Police caught him allegedly selling drugs in the West End of Watertown. Police received reports that a Dodge Caravan had been coming to Highland Avenue to meet other cars and exchange something before leaving the area, said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. Police watched the area where the Caravan was seen, and found a vehicle. A short time later another vehicle showed up. “It appeared that two individuals were engaging in a drug deal,” Lawn said.

Sports

Play Ball! See What’s Planned for Watertown Little League Opening Day

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Watertown’s young baseball and softball players will start the season with a flurry of games on Opening Day. 

Teams will gather at Saltonstall Park and then march through Watertown Square over the bridge and finish at Casey Field on Watertown Street. Opening ceremonies will be held at 9 a.m. and then players will take part in games, drills and will take individual and team pictures. Opening Day Schedule
7:45 a.m. – Players, Managers and Coaches assemble at Saltonstall Park

8:30 a.m. – Sharp Parade leaves Saltonstall Park. 8:50 a.m. – Parade arrives at Casey Field

9:00 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies

9:30 a.m. – Instructional & T-Ball: All Teams, Drills

10:15 a.m. – A Level Baseball: All Teams, Drills

11:00 a.m. – AA Level Baseball: All Teams, Drills

12:00 p.m. – AAA Level Baseball: Brewers vs Athletics @ Bemis

12:15 p.m. – Girls Softball 14U Needham vs Watertown

2:15 p.m. – AAA Level Baseball: Cubs vs Diamondbacks @ Casey

4:15 p.m. – Majors Baseball: White Sox vs Royals

6:30 p.m.- Majors Baseball: Diamondbacks vs Brewers

Also check out:

Cunniff PTO Fundraising will be running a Coffee Table

Watertown Youth Football Registration

Watertown Baseball & Girls Softball Hot Dog or Hamburger, Potato Chips, Water. (Players – Free.

Government

Hear About the Mt. Auburn St., Orchard/Common Streets Projects

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Two major road projects in Watertown will be coming down the line, and town officials will hold an informational meeting about the renovations of Mt. Auburn Street and the Orchard Street/Common Street area. 

The Town Council’s Public Works Committee will hold the informational meeting will share the latest details of the two projects on Thursday, May 14 from 7-9 p.m. at Tufts Health Care’s Cafe Room, 705 Mt Auburn St. in Watertown. Public works staff and engineers will be present to explain the design concepts, and there will be plenty of time for questions by residents, said Councilor Cecilia Lenk, chairwoman of the subcommittee. Mt.

Government

See Details of the Firefighters Suit Against the Town of Watertown

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The Watertown Firefighters are not going away quietly after the Town Council rejected an arbitration panel’s award, and have filed suit asking the court to have the Council’s vote voided, bring the vote back for another vote and make the vote only based on the town’s ability to pay the contract. The suit, which was filed in Middlesex Superior Court on March 19, contends that the Town Council illegally met in executive session (closed to the public) to discuss the contract. An that members exceeded their authority by not just voting on the town’s ability to pay the contract but whether it is comparable to other union’s agreements. Local 1347 – the Watertown fire union – wants to court to void the Council’s vote, require the Town Manager to resubmit a request to fund the arbitration award, and when the vote is retaken, they seek to have only the town’s “unencumbered funds” considered when decided if the town can afford the contract. Watertown firefighters have been without a contact since June 30, 2009.

Around Town

Register for Summer Basketball, Summer Recreation Programs

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The Watertown Recreation Department is holding sign ups for the men’s Summer Basketball Leagues and summer youth programs.

In addition, it is not too late to sign up for some spring programs. See mor information on the Recreation website: www.watertown-ma.gov: “Online Payments”: Recreation Program Payments. Men’s Basketball Leagues
The Watertown Recreation Department Men’s Basketball League begins on May 26 and teams are asked to sign up this week. An informational meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the same location. This is a mandatory meeting to attend. In addition to some discussion of rules and regulations, the deposit must be provided. The League will begin on Tuesday, May 26, 2015.

Elections

Watertown Democrats Electing Delegates for State Convention

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Democrats in Watertown will be holding a caucus in the Watertown Savings Bank Room of the Watertown Free Public Library on Saturday, May 9 at 2 p.m. to elect 24 delegates and five alternates to the 2015 Massachusetts Democratic Convention, where Democrats from across the commonwealth will gather to meet fellow activists and hear from elected officials. The convention will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. “This convention will be unique as we build on experiences from many competitive elections these past few years and look to strengthen the party for the future,” said Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman, Sen. Tom McGee. “Caucuses are an important step in growing our party engagement at the local level.” The caucus is open to all registered Democrats in Watertown and the Democratic Party warmly welcomes first-time participants. Delegates will be divided equally between men and women, and all ballots will be written and secret.