Government

See the Openings Available on Watertown Boards and Committees

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Looking for a way to give back to your community – one way is to serve on a town board, committee or commission. Here are the openings currently available. Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll is seeking Watertown citizens interested in serving on the following Town Boards, Commissions and Committees in accordance with Ordinance # 2007-46, an Ordinance on the Timing and Process of Appointments to Town Boards, Commissions and Committees. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or other information concerning background or experience by email to townmgr@watertown-ma.gov or Town Manager’s Office, 149 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472. Board/Commission: Board of Health 

Description: Provide for fulfillment of its duties under M.G.L. 111:5, 26-33 and other sections including enforcement of the state Sanitary and Environmental Codes, reporting diseases dangerous to the public health, and enforcement of other applicable state and local laws and regulations.

Boston Marathon Bombing

Expert Giving Advice on Dealing with Issues in Kids Due to Marathon Bombing

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With the beginning of the trial of the Boston Marathon Bombing suspect, memories of the tragic and disturbing events of April of 2013 could come up – especially in children. The Watertown Public Schools will host a forum for parents to help them deal with situations that may arise. 

On Wednesday, Jan. 14, a licensed clinical psychologist will speak at Watertown High School from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to talk about emotions and reactions children may have as the Bombings, and shootout and manhunt in Watertown come up with the start of the trial. The event was organized and provided by the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA). The event includes:

A discussion of how such events impact the lives of our children.

Around Town

Ice Open at Watertown’s Outdoor Skating Rink

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Ice skaters now have a place to hit the ice and enjoy some fresh air with the opening of Watertown’s outdoor rink at Casey Park. Dozens of residents came out on Sunday to get the first crack at the new rink, which has a complete set of hockey boards, said Recreation Director Peter Centola. The skating area is located at Casey Park, on Watertown Street. “Although all the ice surface was not entirely ready, approximately 75 percent was and about 50 participants skated, or played hockey and seemed to enjoy themselves,” Centola said. Recreation officials will work out a schedule so different skating activities or different ages can be created and maintained.

Government

LETTER: Town Unions In Support of Firefighters

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Recently, the Watertown Town Council voted against a third party arbitrator’s award. This award would have settled a contract with our firefighters, who have been working without a contract for over five years. Prior to the vote, a majority of the councilors stated, “…that it would not be fair to other unions in Watertown…” as a reason not to settle the contract. We are writing to set the record straight and state that a false assumption has been made in the logic that (all) the other unions in Town would be offended if the Town settled with the firefighters. To be clear, the Watertown Educators Association, the Police Association, the Police Supervisors, the Town Hall Associates, the Custodians and Food Service Workers support the Town of Watertown accepting the arbitrator’s decision and thereby settling the firefighters’ contract.

Sports

Current, Former Watertown Field Hockey Players Among Nation’s Best

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Watertown High School field hockey players, from past and present, earned the highest recognition for their play – they were named All Americans. Two members of this year’s Raiders team, which captured its sixth straight state championship, made the list of top high school players in the nation as named by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA). Allie Doggett made the First Team Harrow Sports/NFHCA All-American Team. The senior scored 24 goals and added 18 assists this year, finishing her career at Watertown with 62 goals and 67 assists. She also was named to the Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic teams and was co-Div.

Entertainment

Exhibit Features Work of Armenian Artist from Watertown

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The Thompson Gallery at CSW announced “Talin Megherian—Kiss the Ground,” the second exhibition in a five-part exhibition series that examines and celebrates contemporary Armenian art, organized to overlap the centennial memorialization of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The series explores Armenian culture from different vantage points; yet intersect on themes of memory, loss and celebration. The second exhibition in the series focuses on the abstract-narrative paintings of Talin Megherian (Watertown, MA) and her interest in the stories and traditions of the Armenian people, compromised by the atrocities of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Megherian’s work explores collective Armenian memory, the memories of her family and Armenian women in particular, through eclectic and colorful abstractions that are lavishly bejeweled by images of Armenian artifacts, historical events, and literary references. “There are tragic stories from both sides of my family,” said Megherian.

Police/Fire

Police Log: 2 Teens Caught Breaking Into Cars, OUI Bust on New Year’s

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

Dec. 29, 6:39 p.m.: Police served a warrant on a Belmont Street resident and arrested a 47-year-old Watertown man on three warrants. Dec. 30, 3:59 a.m.: A resident reported two people breaking into cars in the area of Warren Street and Elmwood Avenue after seeing someone in his car that was parked in his driveway.

Government

Don’t Miss Your Last Chance to Get a Flu Shot!

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The Watertown Health Department is offering one last flu clinic for residents. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that this flu season will be more severe that recent years, according to the Watertown Health Department. “While earlier reports from the CDC indicates that the flu vaccine is less effective this year, it still decreases the severity of the flu and recommend people, especially those with chronic health issues to get vaccinated,” said Watertown Public Health Nurse Wil van Dinter. The Watertown Health Department scheduled an additional Free Public Flu and Pneumonia Clinic at the Watertown Free Public Library on Wednesday, Jan. 14 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

One of the best ways to try to avoid the flu is good hygiene, van Dinter said. “Wash your hands often with soap and water; avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes; and practice cough etiquette by coughing or sneezing into your arm, not your hands,” he said.