Elections

LETTER: Watertown Resident Supports Warren Tolman for AG

By |

To the Editor:
I support Watertown resident Warren Tolman for Attorney General in the Democratic Primary on September 9.  Warren brings practical experience as an independent advocate for policies to protect citizens, a commitment to enforce the law with professionalism, and the ability to work in the community to address the underlying conditions contributing to many law enforcement problems. 
As Attorney General, Warren will protect civil rights so that all have the ability to participate fully in the economic and civic life of the state.  For example, Warren will work to ensure that no one’s access to education is compromised by bullying or sexual assault.
A sponsor of the original Buffer Zone law, Warren will vigorously enforce the state’s new law protecting the rights of women seeking care at reproductive health clinics. Warren believes that while people should be held accountable for their crimes, the problems of drug abuse and mental illness need to be addressed by educating the public, increasing the capacity of treatment facilities so that services are available for all who need them, and making the legal requirement of parity for mental health care services a reality. Warren’s proposal to require manufacturers to make guns less dangerous recognizes that while law enforcement must work to get existing weapons off the streets, long term solutions require harnessing technology to free communities of gun violence. Warren’s record of public service demonstrates that he will fulfill his commitment to using the law along with other necessary tools to protect rights and solve problems.  He deserves your vote. Sincerely,
Renée M. Landers
 

Around Town

See the Watertown Savings Bank Heads Take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

By |

Watertown Savings Bank President Brett Dean and employees at the bank’s headquarters took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and now will donate $50 for every bank employee who takes the challenge. Dean nominated the Watertown Savings Bank branches, the Rotary Club of Watertown and Watertown Landscaping to take the challenge. The bank was nominated by H&K Insurance. Check out the video below!

Real Estate

See the Watertown Homes That Sold This Week

By |

Three homes sold in Watertown this week. See the details below. $316,300 – 314 Lexington Street Unit 314 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, Townhouse condo. Sponsored by:

$462,500 – 249 Westminster Ave. 6 room, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, Cape home

$385,000 – 52 Ralph St.

Business

Former Tufts Health Plan Employee Convicted of Leaking Patient Info

By |

A 27-year-old woman pleaded guilty to disclosing the Social Security numbers of customers of Watertown-based Tufts Health Plan this week. Emeline Lubin admitted to stealing data from the company and gave the list to a man in Florida, who was involved – along with her brother – in a scheme to “steal Social Security benefits and to collect fraudulent income tax refunds by using stolen identities to file false income tax returns,” according to a press release from U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz’s office. The case is being prosecuted by Timothy Landry of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit. The prosecutor said that Lubin stole and disclosed the personal data of over 8,700 customers, according to the release. Earlier this year, Sniders Jean-Jacques and Melvin Lubin pleaded guilty to the theft of public money in U.S. District Court in Worcester. Date included names, birth dates and Social Security numbers, mostly of customers over age 65.

Development

Consultant Will Help Draft Changes to Watertown’s Zoning

By |

The Town Council agreed to hire a consultant to figure out how Watertown’s zoning should change to encourage development in town while preserving its neighborhoods. A set of design standards and design guidelines will be drafted with the help of the consultant. The Council decided to go this route, rather than having a building moratorium on the Arsenal Street Corridor, as a group had petitioned to do. Putting together the design standards and guidelines will take 3 to 4 months, said Community Development and Planning Director Steve Magoon. The design standards lay out the rules that developers and property owners must follow when building in town, Magoon said, and design guidelines provide examples of how the standards would be applied.

Around Town

Watertown Residents Complete Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Public Safety Academy

By |

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian recently congratulated cadets from Watertown for completing the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Youth Public Safety Academy. The youths from Watertown were joined by cadets from Waltham, Bedford and Tyngsborough during a graduation ceremony on Aug. 8. During the five day Academy, cadets learned about fire safety and how to make an evacuation plan, how to stay safe while online, participated in team-building exercises, witnessed a K9 demonstration and met officers from the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, according to the announcement from the Sheriff’s office. They also visited with local police and fire officials during community day activities.