Around Town

See How the Fourth of July Will Impact City Facilities & Trash Pickup

By |

Multiple City-run facilities will be closed for the Fourth of July holiday, and many residents will see their trash and recycling collection pushed back a day. The City of Watertown announced that Watertown City Hall, Library, and Senior Center will closed on Independence Day, Tuesday, July 4, 2023. City officials added that trash and recycling pickup schedule is Monday, July 3, and then a one-day delay for trash and recycling pickup on July 4th, which moves both pickups to Wednesday, July 5 – Saturday, July 8, 2023. The Recycling Center will be closed on Tuesday, July 4.

Around Town

Water & Sewer Rates Rising, City Could Use ARPA Funds to Lessen the Impact

By |

Watertown water and sewer bills will be going up more than 5 percent this year, but the City could soften the blow by using federal COVID relief funds to pay for infrastructure projects. On Tuesday, the City Council approved the water and sewer rates for Fiscal Year 2024, which includes a 5.5 percent increase for water, and a 6 percent jump for sewer. For an average residential customer who uses 1,800 cubic feet of water a quarter the combined water and sewer bill would go up $16.88 from the current year to $306.76 ($107.56 for water, $199.20 for sewer). City Manager George Proakis said that a study by the City’s water and sewer consultant, The Abrahams Group, found that if the City uses the ARPA funds to pay for the $1.25 million in water and sewer projects from Fiscal Year 2025 to 2028, the rate increase would drop. The City Council has received 32 proposals for how to use the $10.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from City departments as well as outside organizations.

Government

City Releases Draft of the Watertown Comprehensive Plan

By |

The City has been working on updating Watertown’s primary planning document, the Comprehensive Plan, for months. This week, the City released the draft of the plan to be considered by the City Council. See the plans and more details about the process on the Comprehensive Plan website,  www.watertown-ma.gov/comp-plan. “This draft is updated based on input from the spring Open House and Online Survey. The formal approval process with the City Council and Planning Board is the next step,” the City’s announcement said.

Government

Zoning Board Wants More Changes to Main Street Project

By |

A view of the revised plans for the 104-126 Main Street project. The sixth floor has been scaled back and would not be seen from Main Street. (Illustration by Icon Architecture)

Developers of the six-story mixed-use project on Main Street reduced the number of apartments slightly and increased the landscaping along the public walkway along the building, but that did not satisfy some members of the Zoning Board of the Appeals. The hearing for the project at 104-126 Main Street, which stretches to Pleasant Street and Cross Street, was continued for a second time after some Zoning Board members said on Wednesday night that they did not think the project met the requirement to provide public amenities. Meeting that requirement is necessary to get the additional height to allow the sixth story.

Schools

Former Students, Educators Get Final Look Around Watertown High School

By |

Photo by Charlie BreitrosePeople lined up to get one last look at Watertown High School before it is torn down. The hallways of Watertown High School buzzed with activity one last time last week, as former students, teachers, even principals took a look around the old school and shared memories. The school, parts of which date back to the 1920s, will be torn down in the fall to make way for a brand new, state-of-the-art building. While many looked back on their memories at WHS fondly, most agreed it was time to say goodbye on June 22. Photo by Charlie BreitroseFormer students and staff milled around the hallways at Watertown High School one last time.

Sports

Watertown Girls Basketball Coach Leaving for Div. 1 Boys Position

By |

Watertown Girls Basketball Coach Patrick Ferdinand announced he will be leaving to take a job in Framingham. Here he is pictured working with a player in 2018. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Leaving a community that has grown to be like family will be difficult, said Watertown Girls Basketball Coach Patrick Ferdinand, but he is taking a job as boys coach closer to his home which will allow him to spend more time with his wife and daughter. After more than a dozen years leading the Raiders girls team, Ferdinand announced this week that he will be taking the job as coach of the Framingham High School boys basketball team. “It’s a major change, from Division 3 to Division 1 and girls to boys,” Ferdinand said.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Arrested for Drug Trafficking, Man Attacked After Altercation at Boston Club

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

June 14, 1:15 p.m.: The Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force, which includes a Watertown detective, had been conducting a narcotics investigation. During the investigation, they observed a man driving on Rosedale Avenue whom they had probable cause to arrest. The man’s car was stopped at Rosedale Avenue near Acton Street. Inside the car, officers observed in plain view a small plastic bag with a white powdery substance that is believed to be fentanyl.

Sports

Young Softball Players Worked to Put Together Undefeated Regular Season

By |

The Watertown Youth Softball Under 12 team made a leap ahead this season, finishing the regular season undefeated. (Photo courtesy of Watertown Youth Softball)

When the Watertown Youth Girls Softball Under 12 team entered their new division last spring the season was all about learning the game and trying out positions. For this past season, the girls had come into their own and really took on a different kind of mentality, said coach Nicole Keuchkarian. “I saw the girls before my eyes unite as a team. And everyone sacrificed their own wants for what was best for the team.