Schools

Wage Increases, Bonuses Proposed for Staff of Extended Day Program

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The Extended Day program run at Watertown’s elementary schools serves 400 students, but officials have struggled to find and keep staff to run the after-school program. Extended Day is operated by Watertown Community Education, which is a self-sustainingdepartment of Watertown Public Schools. Its funding comes from tuition and fees, rather than from taxpayer dollars. The program is able to accommodate more than 90 percent of the demand, but there is a waiting list of 38 students for this fall. In a memo to the School Committee, Debi Cornelius, Director of Community Education, wrote:

“The challenges our community faces with after-school care are not unique to Watertown.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Seek ID of Driver of Car in Hit-and-Run Involving Dog

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Police seek help identifying the driver of a car that was in a hit and run incident in Watertown involving a dog that occurred last week just down the street from Cunniff School. The Watertown Police Department provided the following information on its social media:

Watertown PD is attempting to identify the owner of the attached MV that was involved in a Hit and Run accident, involving a dog. This incident occurred on Thursday July 18, 2024, at approximately 5:30PM. The vehicle was traveling East on Warren St. by King St.

Around Town

Vendors & Sponsors Can Register for the 2024 Faire on the Square

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Watertown’s biggest celebration returns for its 25th year in September, and vendors and sponsors can sign up now. The City of Watertown provided the following information:

The 25th Anniversary of Watertown’s Faire on the Square is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 12-5 p.m. at Saltonstall Park. Vendor registration is open through August 30, 2024. Visit www.faireonthesquare.com to learn more and register! Sponsorship opportunities for the Faire on the Square are now available!

Around Town

July 23 is Deadline to Comment on Possible Watertown Dam Removal

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Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Dam near Watertown Square slows the flow of the Charles River. A group is advocating removing the dam. The consultants examining the possible removal of the Watertown Dam presented their findings after studying the area near the dam over the Charles River just west of Watertown Square. The public can comment on the proposal until July 23. The dam was discussed at a public meeting held on July 9 at the Watertown Library.

Around Town

Dozens of Watertown Students Make Dean’s List at UMass Amherst

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The following announcement was provided by UMass Amerst:

Below is a list of local students who were named to the dean’s list at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for the spring 2024 semester. In order to qualify, an undergraduate student must receive a 3.5 grade-point average or better on a four-point scale. WATERTOWNAriana Rose AufieroKenan Emre CancaPhilip Richard CentolaAidan Paul ConneelyAidan Henry CurryCarina Bella DeLorioRiley Francis DonlanTrisanne Phillipa DunstanRita Queenie HackettBenjamin Harrison HeepJackson Wallace HelieOlivia Juliet-Mei HooverAlyce JudgeLara Jacqueline KebabjianIlana KrebsLiam LawnMaeve Ella LawnAni Nanor ManjikianDavid Armani ManoukianRobert MartirosyanSaron NebiyeMadeline Mildred PoplawskiAram Alexander ReichJohn Payton-Michael RileySydney Willow RosenthalHenry Peter SarrisSabreena ShahOscar Robinson ShepardMason Thomas SmithBenjamin Roubik SurenianIsabella Delmaschio TancredoDaniel Kevin TattrieHrachya Tigran TonyanMichael J VarnumGregory Steven VenizelosAnna Rose Zarkadas

Watertown Students Earn Academic Honors at 11 Colleges

Around Town

2 Watertown Field Hockey Players Take Part in National Junior Championships, One Named to Junior Olympics Team

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The following announcement came from USA Field Hockey:

Following evaluation at the 2024 Junior Nexus Championship, presented by Osaka Hockey, USA Field Hockey is pleased to announce the athletes who have been selected to play in the 2024 Girls AAU Junior Olympic Games, including Reagan Driscoll of Watertown. This year’s event will take place at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, North Carolina, from July 29 to August 1. These selected athletes will have the opportunity to participate alongside some of the best athletes in other sports, from across the country. AAU Junior Olympic Games athletes have until Friday, July 19, 2024 to register online through their USA Field Hockey Membership Account. If a player declines their invitation, an alternate will be notified.

Around Town

Watertown Square Plan Approved by Council & Planning Board; Zoning & Design to Occur This Fall

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City Manager George Proakis addresses the City Council and Planning Board at the Watertown Square Area Plan hearing on July 16. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

After three meetings, and nearly 10 hours of discussion and public comment, the City Council and Planning Board approved the Watertown Square Area Plan on Tuesday night. The plan was amended by the Council, but retained the major goals of the version first discussed by the boards at the first meeting on June 13: a by-right housing unit capacity of 3,133; and the Four Corners reconfiguration of the Watertown Square roadways, which removes Charles River Road from the intersection. The details of the zoning and design to make the plan a reality will take place this fall, including some public meetings. During the public comment period, multiple people suggested the vote be postponed, and/or that the City should only allow for the minimum housing capacity required by the state, 1,701.