Government

Watertown Fire Contract Takes Big Step Toward Being Settled

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The Watertown Fire Union leaders and town officials have come to an agreement on the disputed Watertown Firefighters Contract, but the contract is not a done deal, yet. The memorandum of agreement was reached on Thursday, said Rob Mannix, president of Local 1347 Firefighters Union. Before the contract can be officially adopted the union and Town Council must approve the deal. “The Watertown Firefighters are thrilled that we were able to settle our contract Thursday,” Mannix said. “This has been a long, hard, draining battle that we are more than happy to put in out rear view.” Mannix did not give details of the proposed contract.

Police/Fire

Watertown Firefighters Douse Fire on Eastside of Town

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A fire started by a worker doing plumbing work damaged a home on the Eastside of Watertown on Saturday night. The fire started around 11 p.m., and damaged the exterior of the home on Cottage Lane, said Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Tom McManus. “It was started by a plumber’s torch,” McManus said. “They were doing some work in the basement and it started a fire in the wall, which extended to the outside of the wall.” Firefighters were called about 11:13 p.m. and doused the flames.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Assaults Police Officers, String of Bicycle Thefts

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
Aug. 20, 7:46 p.m.: Security at the Stop & Shop on Watertown Street spotted a man they recognized as a past shoplifter. They saw him take some packages of razors and beauty products from the health and beauty area of the store worth a total of $337.87. The 48-year-old homeless man was arrested on charges of larceny over $250.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Warn Motorists to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

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Now through Sept. 7, the Watertown Police Department will team up with
Massachusetts State Police and more than 191 eligible local police departments across the state to curb impaired driving and save lives. The high-visibility campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, is funded by a federal grant administered through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division (EOPSS/HSD), according to an announcement from the Watertown Police Department. During the upcoming enforcement period, there will be a special emphasis on drunk-driving enforcement. Local drivers should expect to see more patrol vehicles, OUI checkpoints, and increased messaging about this reckless crime. In 2013, there were 10,076 people killed across the country in drunk-driving crashes.

Around Town

Police Log: Car and Motorcycle Stolen, Group Missing 43 iPhones

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. 
Arrests
Aug. 12, 10:34 p.m.: Officers were on Patten Street looking for a suspect in a different investigation when they stopped a black truck. They found the driver had a revoked license. They also discovered that the female passenger had a warrant for her arrest. The driver, a 33-year-old man from Taunton, was arrested on a charge of driving with a revoked license.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Traffic Stop Finds Cocaine, Clothes Stolen From Moving Couple

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
Aug. 3, 10:36 p.m.: A Dexter Avenue resident called to report a man who had followed them home from a restaurant after they had gotten into an argument with him. The suspect left the area when police arrived. Officers followed him and pulled him over on Laurel Street for failing to signal when turning.

Letters

LETTER: Former Council President Seeks Alternate Way to Choose Police Chief

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Dear Editor,

During this past Tuesday night’s Town Council Meeting, several Councilors questioned the search/appointment process the Town Manager explained that he favored. Evidently, he stated that the process that he wished to employ is utilized in several other communities. Since the community is well served by an interim appointment , there should be not be a rush to appoint another Police Chief. The vacancy offers the Council the opportunity to refer the matter to the Public Safety Sub-Committee. The Public Safety Sub-Committee can conduct public hearings so that they can hear from the taxpayers and residents of Watertown regarding the appointment process and the qualities they wish to see in a Police Chief.

Government

Selection Process for Watertown’s Next Police Chief Revealed

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Watertown’s next Police Chief will be chosen from among the ranks of the current Police Department, Town Manager Michael Driscoll said when he revealed the selection process. On Tuesday night, Driscoll told the Town Council about his plans to replace recently retired Edward Deveau. He said the town will use the Civil Service process, and the finalists will be chosen using an assessment center as the only ranking device. During an assessment center, the candidates are asked to react to real world situations in an oral exam. “I spoke with the (state) Human Resources Division and the most popular method  used was the assessment center as the sole ranking device,” Driscoll said.