Around Town

Watertown Honors its War Killed & Wounded, Named a Purple Heart Town

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Watertown has a long history of military service stretches back to George Washington’s time, and the town has more than 40 Purple Heart recipients – the medal honoring those injured or killed in combat. Several of them were on hand Tuesday evening, along with family members of many others, for the ceremony recognizing the town as a Purple Heart Community. 

“We are here to honor all of those who sacrificed for their country and were killed or wounded in combat,” said Watertown Veterans Services Officer Mark Comeiro, during the ceremony next to Town Hall in Saltonstall Park. One of those honored was 89-year-old Henry Mosca, who was hit by shrapnel while serving in the Army during the Battle of the Bulge. He wore his medal to the ceremony. “I don’t show (the Purple Heart) it off.

Government

Sen. Brownsberger, Rep. Lawn Hosting Forum on GMO Foods

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Legislators in the Second Suffolk and Middlesex district will hold a free public forum on the labeling of genetically modified food on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7-9 p.m. at the Watertown Middle School Auditorium, 68 Waverley Ave., Watertown, State Sen. Will Brownsberger’s office announced. The forum features four academic panelists with various perspectives on GMOs. Attendees will hear substantive information on the science, economics, legal and regulatory frameworks, and health and environmental impacts of GMOs. Following presentations by each of the panelists, there will be time for audience questions and comments.

Elections

School Committee, Town Council Candidate Forums Coming Up Soon

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Voters can learn about the candidates running for office in the Watertown Election at a series of upcoming candidate forums.

Pair of School Committee Forums
The Watertown Education Foundation and Watertown News will host a pair of forums for the School Committee candidates. The first will be Thursday, Oct. 15 from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., in the Watertown Savings Bank Room. The second forum will be on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 7-9 p.m. in the Watertown Middle School Auditorium, 68 Waverley Ave.

Government

Town Seeks Input on Rules for Building in Watertown’s Residential Areas

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The building boom in Watertown is not limited to the main arteries through town. Homes are being torn down and replaced with new residential projects, so town officials want to look at making rules and guidelines for new construction in neighborhoods. One of the goals that came from the recently adopted Comprehensive Plan is to protect Watertown’s residential neighborhoods. Some residents have complained that redeveloped properties have changed their street or neighborhood for the worse. As a way to control the redevelopment of neighborhoods, the Town Council has proposed creating Residential Design Guidelines.

Election 2015

Last Chance to Register to Vote in Town Election is Wednesday!

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Watertown  has a hotly contested election with contested races for almost every seat. If you want to take part in the decision you must be registered to vote. 

Wednesday, Oct. 14 is the last day to register so you can vote in the Nov. 3 Town Election. Residents can register at the Town Clerk’s Office on the ground floor of Town Hall, 149 Main St.

Government

First Draft of Filippello Park Renovation Disappoints Council, Residents

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Watertown residents and officials expressed were disappointed by the initial plans for a new dog park a Filippello Park Tuesday. The town got its first look at the preliminary concept plan for the Filippello Park playground located at the Grove Street entrance of the park during a public meeting at Town Hall. Peter Centola, director of Recreation and consultant Glenn Howard of CDM Smith unveiled the plan, which includes a new dog park, two basketball courts, a picnic area, and a large oval green space. Howard said that they were limited in what they could do because they can’t disturb the soil below two feet because parts of the land used to be a landfill, and parts of the site where the basketball courts will be is still used to dump snow during the winter. Councilor Tony Palomba said that the dog park that was presented wasn’t the state of the art dog park the Dog Park Task Force had planned, or that the council had envisioned when if passed a resolution incorporating a dog park be placed at Filippello Park is possible.

Government

Council, Residents Talk About Qualities They Want in Next Police Chief

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It was nearly a full house in the Town Council Chambers Wednesday, as officials and residents gathered to discuss what they’re looking for in their next police chief. The Committee on Public Safety held a public meting to discuss the design of the assessment center that will be used to narrow down the pool of candidates for the new police chief, and to give residents and officials an opportunity weigh in on the process. Town Manager Michael Driscoll and Public Safety Consultants LLC, the firm hired to design the center, were in attendance to explain the process and hear what audiences members were looking for in their next chief. Chief Wayne Sampson of Public Safety Consultants said that getting feedback was an important part of designing an assessment center unique to Watertown. “Generally speaking, throughout Massachusetts the duties of a chief of police are generally the same, but there is some uniqueness in each community,” Sampson said.

Elections

Find Out About the Candidates for Watertown School Committee

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One of the most competitive races on the Watertown Town Election ballot is for School Committee, with five people competing for three seat. Watertown News reached out to the five candidates to find out why they are running, their qualifications and their opinions on some issues facing the Watertown Public Schools. To see the Q&A click on the name of each candidate (in random order):
Michael Shepard
Kendra Foley
Julie McMahon
Eileen Hsu-Balzer
Candace Miller
The election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3. You can also find out more about the School Committee candidates at two upcoming candidate forums. See details by clicking here.