Business

Watertown-Belmont Chamber Raffle Includes $10K Grand Prize

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The Watertown-Belmont Chamber of Commerce will host raffle where participants can win a number of prizes, including the $10,000 grand prize. The event will be held Friday, March 27 from 7-10 p.m. at Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., 101 Walnut St. in Watertown. Only 300 tickets at $100 each will be sold for the grand prize drawing. The Chamber is offering non-profits the chance to get a free ticket if it sells four tickets for the drawing.

Schools

Watertown Schools Could Start on Sept. 8 in 2015, Day Added This Year

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The proposed Watertown school calendar has the first day of class after Labor Day, which means Sept. 8. 

The School Committee heard the first reading for the 2015-16 school calendar Monday night. Superintendent Jean Fitzgerald said school traditionally starts after Labor Day, but in an effort to shorten the school year she has added professional development days before the first day for students. “I am proposing we front load professional development days by having three from Sept. 1 to 3,” Fitzgerald said.

Sports

Big Week for 2 Watertown Hockey Teams & Girls Basketball Team

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Three Raiders teams will play to go deep into their respective MIAA state tournaments on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

The boys’ hockey team begins Tuesday with revenge on the players’ minds. Watertown faces Wayland, the squad that eliminated the Raiders in overtime last year in the same round – the section semifinals. The game will be at 5:10 p.m. at the Chelmsford Forum. A win gives them a birth in the Div. 3 North Section semifinals, back at the Chelmsford Forum on Friday at 6:30 p.m. against the winner of the Bedford-Weston game.

Charity

Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Hosting Annual Ham-O-Rama

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{Please Note the change of date to Friday, March 27!}

The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians will hold the annual Ham-O-Rama, featuring tons of raffles and food with proceeds going to local charities. The event will be held Friday, March 27 (rescheduled from Saturday March 28) at Hibernian Hall, 151 Watertown St. in Watertown. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event is open to the public. Hot dogs, chips and cold drinks will be available at reasonable prices, and you could go home with your complete Easter Meal. There will be over 160 chances to win prizes.

Charity

WMS Looking for Items for Rummage Sale to Benefit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

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The third annual Rummage Sale for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients Drive will be held this weekend, and Watertown Middle School seeks donations. The Rummage Sale takes place Saturday, March 7 in the Watertown Middle School cafeteria from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.

Proceeds benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients Drive. “We will have great items for sale, as well as raffles, a silent auction, and bake sale as well.” said WMS teacher Jane Evans. Entry is free and parking is available in the front and rear of the school with entrances at both locations.

Government

DA Asked to Help Get Answers about Fire Negotiations; Nurses Lend Support

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Former Town Councilor and current Governor’s Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney has appealed to the Middlesex District Attorney for answers about the cost of negotiations on the Watertown Firefighters’ contract. The Watertown Firefighters continue to push for approval of their contract after more than 5 1/2 years and following the Town Council’s rejection of a state arbitration agreement in December. The negotiation teams have met since the vote, but little ground has been made toward settling the contract according to those familiar with the negotiations. All but one Town Councilor voted to reject the agreement, stating that the agreement would be unfair to the town’s other unions because it included increases that they did not receive during difficult budget years. Petitto Devaney told the Town Council last week that she has written a letter to Middlesex DA Marian Ryan seeking help to get answers from town officials.

Development

Residents Invited to Hear About Complex Planned for Irving, Arsenal Streets

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See the design of the apartment complex at the corner of Irving and Arsenal streets known as Elan that will be submitted to the Planning Board by Greystar. The project that will go on the former Pirolli brick yard has been following the recommendations of the Watertown design standards and design guidelines, and will include around 270 apartments along with space for stores and a restaurant. The meeting will be held Monday, March 9 from 6-8 p.m. at the Apartments at Coolidge School, 319 Arlington St. in Watertown. Developers Greystar Real Estate Partners and Oaktree FX have periodically met with residents to show designs and get feedback.