Government

Increases for Police, Fire, Schools Library & DPW Included in Watertown’s FY2020 Budget

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Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll revealed the Fiscal Year 2020 budget on Tuesday. Next year’s Watertown Budget includes money for an additional police office, a new leadership role in the Fire Department, and at the Library. Tuesday night, Town Manager Michael Driscoll presented the Fiscal Year 2020 budget to the Town Council. The total operating budget is $147.76 million, which is an increase of 3.89 percent or $5.53 million. When Driscoll presented the budget projection in October, there was a shortfall of about $800,000, but Tuesday he said the Town’s revenues came in close to $1.5 million above the projections.

Schools

MassBay Community College Hosting Open House for Prospective Students

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MassBay Community College provided the following information:

MassBay Community College will hold its annual Spring Open House on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. on the Wellesley Hills campus. President Dr. David Podell along with faculty, staff and students will be on hand to greet and welcome prospective students and their families to the Wellesley Hills campus. The Spring Open House is an opportunity for prospective students to meet and talk with current students, faculty, and staff to learn about the 70 degree and certificate programs offered at MassBay and transfer opportunities after MassBay. Prospective students are encouraged to attend to learn more about student clubs and organizations, the admissions and financial aid process, and talk with academic divisions. The Open House will include a self-guided tour of campus, information sessions, student and alumni panel discussions, information for veterans, on-the-spot admissions, and more. WHAT:           MassBay Community College Spring Open House

WHERE:        MassBay Community College

                        50 Oakland Street

                        Wellesley Hills, MA

WHEN:          Saturday, April 27, 2019

TIME:             9:00 a.m.

Prospective students can learn more about the event and RSVP at www.MassBay.edu/OpenHouse or call the Office of Admissions at 781-239-2500.

Schools

Proposed Changes to Elementary School Project Worry Neighbors, Committee

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The plan for Cunniff School would not have space for a tee ball field, after the building is moved left to provide more outdoor space along the right side. The School Building Committee discussed the plans on April 4. Architects presented proposed changes for the new buildings at the Cunniff and Hosmer schools, which left some concerns, particularly with the outdoor space at Cunniff. Scott Dunlap from Ai3 Architects presented the plans at last week’s School Building Committee meeting. Cunniff School

One major change would move the location of the proposed new Cunniff School building.

Around Town

High School Photographers Wanted for Watertown Savings Photo Contest

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The following information was provided by Watertown Savings Bank:

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 2020 calendar, which is distributed free to thousands of WSB customers and community members annually. Visit watertownsavings.com/community/annual-photo-contest to enter. WSB is looking for photos that depict scenes from the local community.

Entertainment

Public Flocks to See Artwork Created by Students from All the Watertown Schools

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Artwork created by students in Watertown High School art classes are part of the display at the annual Watertown Public Schools K-12 Art Show. Colorful paintings of animals, detailed portraits sketched in pencil, and still lifes of fruits and vegetables greet visitors of the Watertown Mall these days. The artwork comes courtesy of Watertown Public Schools students from elementary school all the way to the high school. The annual Watertown Public Schools Art Show will be on display at the Watertown Mall through April 11. On April 1, a reception was held for the artist, their parents, teachers, and interested viewers.

Around Town

Hundreds Turn Out for the Town-Wide Spelling Bee

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Watertown students participated in the Town-Wide Spelling Bee on Sunday. Hundreds of elementary school students from Watertown came out Sunday to take part in the 2019 Town-Wide Spelling Bee. The ninth-annual event took place at Watertown Middle School and drew about 200 students from all three Watertown elementary schools as well as St. Stephen’s Armenian School. The money raised at the event will go back to the Watertown Public Schools through the Watertown Community Foundation’s Education grants.

Schools

See When the Last Day of School Will Be This Year, First Day Next Year

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The last day of school for Watertown students in 2019 will be on a Monday, while the first day in the fall will be after Labor Day. The School Committee discussed the school calendar for the 2019-20 school year on Monday night. A pressing question that multiple members have gotten, however, is when the last day will be this spring. Superintendent Dede Galdston said that the last day has been set, unless there is a freak storm or other reason to cancel school. “The last day will be a half day on Monday, June 17,” Galdston said.

Around Town

Free Screening of Movie That Raises Awareness About Anxiety This Week

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The following information was provided by the event organizers:

IndieFlix, a leading independent online streaming platform, along with its non-profit arm, the IndieFlix Foundation, is sparking a global conversation about anxiety through screenings of its brand-new documentary, “Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety.”

On April 4, 2019, The Watertown Community Foundation and Watertown Middle School PTO will hold a special screening of the documentary at Watertown Middle School auditorium to open up a dialogue between local families, community leaders and experts. The event will feature a viewing of the 56-minute film Producers Scilla Andreen and Karin Gornick have one goal: to start a global conversation and raise awareness around anxiety. Through candid interviews, they utilize the power of film to tell the stories of many kids and teens who discuss their anxiety and its impacts on their lives and relationships, as well as how they’ve found solutions and hope. The film also includes a special interview with Michael Phelps, a mental health advocate and one of the greatest athletes of all- time. In addition, the documentary provides discussions with mental health experts about the causes of anxiety and its sociological effects, along with the help, resources and tools available to address the condition.