Around Town

Dedicated Watertown Resident Retires After 35 Years

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For 35 years E. Joyce Munger has served on the Watertown Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners, and this week she said farewell at the apartment complex bearing her name. While Munger dedicated her time to the Housing Authority, she could be seen at many events through the years, said Town Manager Michael Driscoll at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting. He first met her when she got him to be a judge at the 1978 Fourth of July Miss Watertown Pageant. She has also been a volunteer election poll worker, she served on the town’s 350th and 375th Anniversary Committees, ran the Wedding Faire and Fashion Shows at the Commander’s Mansion and helped organize Watertown’s 9/11 Remembrance ceremonies. At the ceremony, held at the E. Joyce Munger Apartments on Warren Street, Munger said her goodbyes.

Around Town

Year of Activities, Work of Outgoing President Celebrated by Boy’s & Girl’s Club

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Last week, the Watertown Boy’s & Girl’s Club celebrated a year of fun and good times at the clubhouse and the work of the outgoing board president. The event at the Oakley Country Club raised just short of $50,000 in the club’s second biggest fundraiser of the year, said Executive Director Renee Gaudette. “The money makes it possible to serve every child walking through the doors,” Gaudette said. Along with running activities such as basketball, swim lessons and video games, the Boy’s & Girl’s Club also provides time and space for homework, tutors to help students and more. For students not into traditional sports, the club has activities such as Zumba and wall climbing at Central Rock Gym.

Around Town

Affordable Housing Available in New Apartment Complex

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A lottery will be held for apartments in the new Watertown Mews complex. Families making below 80 percent of the Area Median Income are eligible to join the lottery for 32 of the 206 units at the complex off Pleasant Street at 1 Repton Place (across from Russo’s). Units include a gourmet kitchen, a full-size washer and dryer and a walk in closet. The complex features include a fitness room, a yoga studio, a multi-media game room, a pet spa  and a pool. (See photos and more by clicking here.)

The income limits are: one person – $47,450, two people – $54,200, three people – $61,000, four people – $67,750, five people – $73,200, six people – $78,600.

Around Town

2 Celtics Make a Special Visit to the Watertown Boy’s & Girl’s Club

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The Watertown Boy’s & Girl’s Club welcomed some special visitors Friday when a current and a former Boston Celtics player stopped by. Current Celtics guard Phil Pressey and former Celtic and Boston College great Dana Barros shared their tips for eating healthy when they stopped by the club. Students used fruit and toothpicks to build some desserts that were both attractive and good for you. Pressey told the students that he has to work hard and eat and drink the right things to get ready for games. “The night before I am drinking all the water, eating all the pasta and trying to do the right things so when the game starts I have the right amount of energy,” Pressey said.

Around Town

Police Log: Shoplifters Busted at Target, Tires Slashed in Watertown

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department:

Arrests

April 21, 5:35 p.m.: A woman was spotted taking numerous clothing items from Target and tried to leave the store. She had $200.49 worth of clothing. Police arrested a 58-year-old Belmont woman on charges of shoplifting over $100. April 21, 4:48 p.m.: An officer on patrol on Main Street stopped a car and discovered the driver had an outstanding arrest warrant. A 36-year-old Dedham man was arrested on the warrant out of Dedham District Court.

Around Town

Town Budget Includes Increase for Schools, See How Much

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The Watertown Public Schools will be getting an increase next year, but parents at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting said it is not enough. Town Manger Michael Driscoll presented the Fiscal 2015 budget, but the item of interest for most in the standing room only Council Chamber was the education budget. The budget of $38.94 million is a $2.267 million increase – 6.18 percent – more than the Fiscal 2014 figure. This is more than the 3 percent projected in the draft budget Driscoll presented in October, but below the 16.81 percent requested by the School Committee and school staff. Several parents spoke during a public forum period expressing disappointment about the budget figure.

Around Town

Woman’s ‘Shopping Spree’ Lands her in Back of Police Car

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An woman upset that she could not return merchandise to Target tried to take matters into her own hands, but ended up under arrest. On April 25, a woman went to the customer service desk at Target to try to return some items, but was told she could not because she did not have the receipt. The woman was not satisfied with that answer. “She said ‘If I don’t get the money I will still what I need,'” said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. “Then she walked through the store and took items off the shelf and tried to leave.”

Around Town

See How to Get Free Comic Books in Watertown

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Comic book fans, or those interested in taking a look, head down to your local comic book store Saturday to get some free books. The Comic Stop, 134 Main Street in Watertown, will host Free Comic Book Day on May 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and there will be a special guest, according to store owner David Philbrick. “There will be an appearance by Spiderman from 10 to 2,” Philbrick said. Watertown artist and Popeye historian Fred Grandinetti will also be at the event drawing sketches for children. Philbrick hopes to set up a tent in back of the store for more activities if the weather is good.