Around Town

Dogs Reported Off-Leash in City Parks, Could Cause Hazard to Users of Fields & Athletic Facilities

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City of WatertownThe Watertown Health Department reminds people that dogs are not allowed in City Parks except for designated dog park areas. The Watertown Health Department has received reports of loose pets in City parks, in violation of City rules. Dogs that relieve themselves outside the dedicated dog parks can create a hazard for people, said Watertown Health Director Larry Ramdin. “We have been observing several pets loose outside of our dog parks in the grassed areas in the parks reserved for sports,” Ramdin said. “Dogs defecating in those parks poses a secondary risk to children who use the parks for recreation.”

Schools

Superintendent Gets Good Grades in Annual Review

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown Superintendent of Schools Dede Galdston. Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston received good marks on her annual performance evaluation from the School Committee. The School Committee discussed their job review for the leader of the Watertown Public Schools on Monday night. On the overall performance, Galdston received two “exemplary” evaluations (the top mark) and five “proficient” (second highest), said School Committee Chair Kendra Foley. “This is a very positive evaluation.

Police/Fire

Fire on Gore Place Property Doused by Watertown Firefighters

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ContributedFlames from a blaze on the Gore Estate can be seen from the back of a home on Edward Road. Watertown firefighters doused a blaze on the property of Gore Place which the Fire Department believes was started by illegal fireworks. On Saturday, July 23 at about 10:30 p.m. the Watertown Fire Department received a report of a fire on the Gore Estate property. The fire occurred near homes on Edward Road, according to Acting Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. “We believe it was caused by fireworks, due to some remnants, but it is difficult to determine because illegal fireworks are set off frequently in that area,” Nicholson said.

Around Town

YMCA Naming New Building at Summer Camp for Former Watertown Teacher

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West Suburban YMCAThe new Loch Lodge at the West Suburban YMCA’s Camp Chickami is nearing completion. The multipurpose building is named after former Watertown teacher Jim Lochiatto. Jim Lochiatto, or Mr. Loch, made an impact on many Watertown children as an art teacher and working at the YMCA’s Camp Chickami, and now he is being honored by having a new building at the Y’s summer camp named for him. Since the 1950s, the West Suburban YMCA has run summer camps at its property in Wayland. It became a special place for Lochiatto having spent many years there, first as a camper and later working there.

Arrests

Police Log: Juveniles Hit Golf Balls a Car, Details of Home Break-ins

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

July 14: Watertown Police identified a pair who had shoplifted at Best Buy on March 16. A man and woman arrived in a car and went into a store. They took an HP All-in-One computer valued at $1,260. Using surveillance police were able to see the two get into a vehicle and leave.

American Library Association

Watertown Library Wins American Library Association Award

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Watertown LibraryThe staff of the Watertown Free Public Library was honored for their promotion of ‘Zine Week by the American Library Association. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

The American Library Association has named the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) as a winner of the 2022 John Cotton Dana Award for marketing and public relations excellence. Called “the most prestigious award of the American Library Association” the honor comes with a prize of $10,000. WFPL won the award for the “Copy and Resist!” marketing campaign promoting the Library’s first-ever Zine Fest, held on Oct. 2, 2021.

Around Town

Several Openings Anticipated at Arsenal Yards in Coming Months

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Arsenal YardsArsenal Yards in Watertown, already featuring several restaurants and retailers, has several new additions coming in 2022 and early 2023. The following information was provided by Arsenal Yards:

Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood in Watertown from Boylston Properties and Wilder, is celebrating continued growth and development with the opening of many highly anticipated dining, shopping, fitness, and entertainment venues throughout the neighborhood this summer and fall.  

Since its official redevelopment and expansion at the site of the former Arsenal Mall in 2017, the lively 1 million + square foot mixed-use neighborhood has flourished into a dynamic destination and neighborhood hub. Residents and visitors alike can eat, live, work, play, and experience all that the high-energy community in Watertown’s historic East End has to offer with dining, shopping, and entertainment right at their fingertips.  

With the goal of further expanding its lineup of popular restaurants, retailers and service and entertainment offerings, Arsenal Yards is eager to welcome many exciting additions to the neighborhood this year. Openings coming soon include Pokeworks, Taffer’s Tavern, Restore Hyper Wellness, Central Rock Gym, Bond Vet, and F45 Training, along with new offerings including a Starbucks, James Joseph Salon, AT&T and GNC all slated to open before the end of the year, and KinderCare in early 2023. Blvd & Bond, the neighborhood’s residential offering with 302 units across three buildings, is nearly 100 percent leased, while all life science space within Arsenal Yards and the new building at 100 Forge is entirely leased as well.

Complete Streets

City, MBTA Work Together to Make Crosswalk Improvements on Main Street

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A crossing on a busy stretch of Main Street in Watertown will be improved after the City of Watertown entered an agreement with the MBTA to share responsibility for the project. Improvements will be be made in the area of Main Street and Whites Avenue (near the corner of Salstonstall Park), including making bus stop more accessible, upgrading the crosswalk with sidewalk bump outs, and rectangular flashing beacons, said Acting Deputy City Manager Steve Magoon. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, which the City Council approved at its July 12 meeting, the MBTA will fund and perform the design of the project. The City will fund and perform the construction, Magoon said. Public Works Superintendent Greg St.