Business

Lt. Governor Visits Watertown Bearing Three Grants for More than $3 Million Aimed at Economic Development

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Charlie BreitroseLt. Gov. Karyn Polito spoke with Town Council President Mark Sideris during an event where she announced more than $3 million in grants to Watertown. The event was at the Hampton Inn & Suites at Arsenal Yards. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito stopped by Watertown on Tuesday to celebrate the transformation of Arsenal Street and to give out more than $3 million in grants to help municipal officials continue the economic growth in the community. The event took place at the Hampton Inn & Suites, located in the biggest redevelopment project in Watertown — Arsenal Yards. Polito recalled how she used to visit the Arsenal Mall when she was a student at Boston College in the mid-1980s, when it looked very different.

Around Town

See Precinct Results for 2021 Town Council, School Committee, Library Trustees Races and the Charter Questions

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Town of WatertownA map of Watertown’s Districts: Peach is A, Red is B, Lime Green is C, Green is D.

The results of the Watertown Election are in, and the winners have been announced, but if the election had followed certain precincts the results would have looked different. The Town Clerk’s office released the precinct-by-precinct counts from the Nov. 2, 2021, election. The turnout was bigger than recent Town Elections, with 24 percent of the 25,693 registered Watertown voters casting ballots, according to the Town Clerk’s office. In 2019, the turnout was 17.24 percent.

Sports

Watertown Field Hockey, Boy’s Soccer Teams Earn State Tourney Berths

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown High School’s field hockey team will host the first round of the MIAA Div. 3 State Tournament on Sunday. Pictured, junior Maggie Driscoll shoots against Melrose. The Watertown High School field hockey team will kick off its state tournament at home, while the boy’s soccer team will head on the road for to open the tournament. Field Hockey

The undefeated Raiders (18-0) are seeded second in the MIAA Div.

Election 2021

Incumbents Re-elected in Town Council & School Committee Races, Charter Changes Approved

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Charlie Breitrose

Incumbents fared well in the race for Town Council Tuesday night with three winning re-election as Councilors At-Large Race, and the one facing a candidate for District Councilor coming out on top. The two incumbents running for the School Committee will also return for another term. The results came out of the Town Clerk’s Office at about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. The vote is not official until all the absentee and overseas votes are counted, which could take a week or longer. Incumbents Tony Palomba received the most votes for Councilors At-Large with 3,251.

Around Town

See the Watertown Streets that Made the List for Reconstruction in 2022

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The Department of Public Works proposes to reconstruct four streets in Watertown, and is looking at a longer streets to work on, too, in 2022. The DPW presented the proposed 2022 Road Program to the Council’s Public Works Committee, and it will be considered by the full Town Council at an upcoming meeting. The list includes four residential streets:

Boylston Street (Fairfield Street to Porter Street)Chester StreetLocke StreetChapman Street (Main Street to Highland Avenue)

The Council also designated $1.5 million for longer streets. This year Waverley Avenue made the list. In 2022, Highland Avenue is recommended for reconstruction, and in 2023, the DPW recommends doing roadwork on Morse Street and Fifth Avenue.

Football

Watertown High School Football Heads to Playoffs After Second Straight OT Win

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Charlie BreitroseThe last time Watertown High School made the MIAA football playoffs in 2017 the Raiders made it all the way to the State Semifinals against Dennis-Yarmouth. Pictured, Watertown junior quarterback Nick McDermott passes the ball to junior running back Mange Camara in the EMass final. For the second week in a row the Watertown High School football team triumphed in overtime. Next up for the Raiders is a road state playoff game. The Raiders wrapped up their regular season schedule with a 29-23 overtime win at Melrose.

Charter Changes

2021 Watertown Election Guide, See What’s on the Ballot, Where to Vote

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Tuesday is election day in Watertown, and Town voters will be selecting candidates for three Town boards, as well as voting on changes to the Town Charter. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (see polling locations below). Town Council, School Committee & Library Trustee Races

The 2021 election has 25 candidates running, with several contested races. Only two are uncontested — Town Council President and District C Town Councilor. Seven people are running for four Councilor At-Large spots.

Charter Changes

See What’s in the Proposed Charter Changes on the Watertown Ballot

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Charlie BreitroseA mailing went out to Watertown voters with the details of the proposed changes to the Town Charter. On Tuesday, Nov. 2, Watertown voters will not only vote on the Town Council, School Committee and Library Trustees, but also the proposed changes to the Town Charter. The Town Charter defines how Watertown’s government operates. Watertown first adopted the Town Charter in 1980 when it moved from a town government with a Town Meeting, to a city-style government with a Town Council and a Town Manager.