Schools

See Photos from the Opening of the New Hosmer School & Rededication

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Charlie BreitroseParents and students head to the grand opening celebration of the new Hosmer School on Feb. 1, 2022. Watertown’s newest elementary school opened for the public to see Tuesday afternoon, and the bright and spacious three-story Hosmer School wowed those who roamed its halls and classrooms.

Superintendent Dede Galdston welcomed attendees who crowded the courtyard between the two wings of the Eastside school, and noted that it was just four months ago that the City opened another new school. “Many superintendents and city managers go through their entire career never opening a school and here we are opening the second in a year and a third on the way,” Galdston said, referring to Cunniff and Lowell schools. “And a new high school in the not too distant future.”

Around Town

Watertown’s Shick House to be Remembered with Historic Marker

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Watertown Free Public LibraryThe Shick House has been located on Grove Street since the 1800s. It was home to the owners of one of the few Jewish farmers in Massachusetts. Bob Bloomberg recalls the first time he got to look inside the Shick House. The house oozed history, but it was clear then, he said, that the home of the owners of one of the few Jewish-owned farms in Massachusetts was not in good shape. “I was in the house twice, the first time was about a year ago, and at that point we could go to the second floor,” said Bloomberg, a member of the Historical Society’s board who has researched the history of the house.

Around Town

New Watertown News Commenting Policy: Full Names Required

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Commenters will now be required to sign their full names on stories on the Watertown News site starting Feb. 1, 2022. Previously one comment was allowed anonymously. Commenters can also provide more information about themselves, such as what town, neighborhood or street they live on, or other pertinent information, but it is not required. If I cannot easily confirm a name you may be asked to provide more information, which will not be published.

Schools

Community Forum to be Held on Watertown High School Project This Week

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Ai3 ArchitectsAn illustration of what the outside of the new Watertown High School will look like. A Community Forum to discuss the Watertown High School project will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m.

The meeting will be held virtually on Zoom, and will also be broadcast on Watertown Cable. The forum is the ninth one focused on the new WHS, according to the announcement from the School Building Committee. The most recent plan, which would cost an estimated $198 million, calls for the old school to be torn down and the new one constructed on the same site.

Homepage Featured

Police Log: Construction Equipment Stolen, Catalytic Converter Removed from Truck

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

None

Incidents

Jan. 17, 11 a.m.: The owner of a Ford F-250 from Waverley Avenue came out and when he turned it a loud noise came from the exhaust system. He looked and noticed the catalytic converter had been cut out from under the truck. He believes it occurred sometime between 7 p.m. on the 16th and 11 a.m. on the 17th.

Around Town

Share Your Snow Photos from the Blizzard

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Charlie BreitroseA person bundles up against the winds during the blizzard on Jan. 29, 2022. Not much snow had piled up as of 10 a.m.

Two feet or more of snow is expected to fall on Watertown on Jan. 29. Share your photos taken from the warmth of your home, or from the chilly outdoors if you are more adventurous.

Around Town

Saturday’s Big Storm Forcing Closures, City Under Snow Emergency

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Watertown will get more than a foot of snow during Saturday’s snowstorm, according to weather forecasters. The City of Watertown has declared a Snow Emergency, and has already canceled some events. The National Weather Service announced that Eastern Massachusetts is under a Blizzard Warning from midnight on Friday to midnight on Saturday. The Watertown area could get more than 2 feet of snow, according to WCVB Channel 5, while WBZ Channel 4 has the are in the 12 to 18 inch zone. Snow Emergency

Superintendent of Public Works Greg St.

71 Bus

MBTA’s Electric “Trolley” Buses to be Removed from Service Due to Road Projects

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Charlie BreitroseThe electric trackless trolleys used by the MBTA in Watertown will be taken off line due to roadwork on Mt. Auburn Street and replaced at first by hybrid diesel and then battery powered buses. The projects require the overhead wires to be removed. The following announcement was provided by the MBTA:

The MBTA, City of Cambridge, and City of Watertown announced today that five municipal and utility roadway projects in Cambridge and Watertown along Mt. Auburn Street, Belmont Street, and Huron Avenue are set to commence in spring 2022.