Boston Marathon Bombing

LETTER: Mother Worries About Impact of ‘Patriots Day’ Filming in Watertown

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Esteemed Councilors,

I’m a resident of District C, and I’m writing to you today to urge you to register your opposition to the filming of Patriots Day in the Laurel/Dexter Street neighborhood. At the time of the shootout — in which over 200 rounds were fired, one person was killed in a particularly gruesome way and a police officer was injured, I lived in that neighborhood. The garage of the home where I lived was about 75 feet from the shootout. My children still live there half the week, as my former husband and I share custody of them. I want to tell you that it’s not just about recreating a traumatic event with pyrotechnics late at night in the same neighborhood that witnessed these horrible events.

Around Town

LETTER: Resident Opposes Filming Recreation of Watertown Shootout

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Dear Mr. Driscoll and Councilors Sideris, Dattoli, Falkoff, Palomba, Kounelis, Feltner, Piccirilli, Woodland, and Dushku,

I am writing to oppose the re-creation and filming of gun battle scenes for the movie “Patriots Day” on Laurel Street in Watertown. I live near-by on Boylston Street — close enough that my husband heard the sound of the shootout as it happened, close enough to be woken by the sounds of helicopters over my house that night. When I learned that the five nights of filming planned on Laurel Street within ear shot of my home would be loud, including gunshots until midnight, I felt angry and anxious. I wondered — who would allow this to happen in our town?! As I learned more, I felt the tears fill my eyes.

Elections

LETTER: Tree Advocates Brace for Tree Prunings by Eversource

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Hi, Trees for Watertown members and friends:

Eversource (formerly NSTAR) is coming back to Watertown to utility-prune our street trees starting Monday, February 29.  Citizen attention can really help to protect our street trees from damaging and disfiguring pruning during this utility pruning cycle. The Problem

Eversource’s official utility pruning standard specifies removal of all tree branches within 10 to 15 feet of high voltage wires. Utility pruning to Eversource’s standard results in canopy removal far in excess of recommended aboricultural guidelines for preserving street tree health. Arboricultural guidelines recommend pruning no more than 25 percent of a young tree’s healthy canopy, less in older trees, and even less — if any — in mature trees stressed by poor soil or confined soil volume and limited moisture access. The majority of trees providing vital canopy over our urban streets fall in this category.

Elections

LETTER: State Rep. Hecht Endorses Democratic State Committee Candidate

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On March 1, Democrats in Watertown will elect a new representative to the Democratic State Committee. I’m enthusiastically supporting Steve Owens. Steve is one of the savviest and hardest working people in Democratic politics in Massachusetts today and will make a huge contribution to the State Committee. Steve has led our Democratic Town Committee since 2008. One of his earliest challenges as chair was navigating the aftermath of former Representative Rachel Kaprielian’s sudden resignation from her State Rep. seat.

Business

High School Photographers Can Enter Watertown Savings’ Contest

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Watertown Savings Bank (WSB) is seeking submissions for their Annual High School Photography contest. If you are a high school student who lives or attends school in Arlington, Belmont, Lexington, Newton, Waltham, and Watertown you are eligible to participate. The 12 winning photographs will be published in the bank’s 2017 calendar, which is distributed free to thousands of WSB customers and community members annually. WSB is looking for photos that depict scenes from the local community. Entries must be submitted by Sunday, April 17 at midnight.

Environment

LETTER: Stormwater Committee Member Urges Council to Adopt New Ordinance

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To the Editor,

On Tuesday, February 23, 2016, during its regularly scheduled meeting, the Town Council will hold a Public Hearing and Vote on a proposed Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Ordinance. As a member of the Watertown Stormwater Advisory Committee (SAC) that originally proposed this Ordinance, I submit that the adoption of this Ordinance is the right move for Watertown at this time for two reasons. First of all, the Town of Watertown, in accordance with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for discharging stormwater into the Charles River from its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4), is required to have ordinances governing (1) erosion control during construction projects, (2) post-construction management of stormwater on newly developed and redeveloped sites, and (3) illicit discharges to the storm drainage system. The Town enacted an ordinance prohibiting illicit discharges to the storm drainage system in 2011. The proposed Ordinance will address the first two.

Obituaries

OBIT: Richard Samourian, Former Proprietor of Clover Oil

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Richard Samourian Of Watertown, passed away suddenly on Feb. 19, 2016. Beloved husband of Irene (Dyer) Samourian. Devoted father of Karen Centola and her husband Peter of Watertown, Lynda Senott and her husband Eric of Natick, and Marie Muti and her husband William of NH. Loving grandfather of Victoria Boyle, Philip and Leanne Centola, Caitlyn and William Muti.

Business

Watertown Savings Names New Senior Vice President for Operations

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Watertown Savings Bank (WSB) President Brett Dean is pleased to announce that Lisa K. Nichols has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Operations. “Lisa has worked for WSB for 32 years, which in and of itself warrants attention,” Dean said. “Beyond longevity, Lisa is an extraordinarily hard working colleague who cares greatly about the Bank. I have seen her effort, passion, and care first-hand.”

“In the 145 year history of WSB, we have had six Senior Vice Presidents. Clearly, it is an important role and a major achievement that reflects many accomplishments.”

Nichols oversees the Bank’s Operations, BSA, and Customer Support departments. She is also the Bank’s liaison with Fiserv, WSB’s core processor.