Police/Fire

Watertown Woman Dies After Being Struck by Vehicle in Dedham

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A pedestrian struck and killed on a roadway in Dedham has been identified as a Watertown woman. The Norfolk County District Attorney’s office identified the woman as Marguerite Scanlon, 63, of Watertown, according to a post on the Norfolk DA’s Facebook page. “The matter remains under investigation by Dedham Police Department, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police, and the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office and no charges are in place at this time,” the message reads. The incident occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on Monday on Bridge Street (Rte. 109) in Dedham, according to WCVB Channel 5.

Around Town

City Surveying Residents About Qualifications, Characteristics Desired in Next City Manager

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The process to hire the next City Manager for Watertown has begun, and residents can weigh in on what they think the most important qualifications and characteristics for the next chief executive of the City to have. They survey is being conducted online, and the City sent out the following message:

“Watertown residents, please participate in this citizen survey which is designed to help identify the desired experience and attributes of Watertown’s next City Manager. Your opinions will assist our recruitment consultant and the City Manager Screening Committee as they identify candidates and work to narrow the field to a small group of finalists to submit to the City Council.” The survey has five questions about the next City Manager:

Which professional qualifications are most importantWhich personal characteristics are most importantWhat challenges and opportunities are most critical for the City Manager to be able to addressThe most important thing a new City Manager should know about Watertown, andWhat other information the City Manager Search Committee should know in the search for a new City Manager

Access the public input survey by clicking here.

Around Town

Board of Health Reinstates Indoor Mask Mandate Citing Sharp Increases in COVID-19 Cases

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People must wear face masks or coverings in Watertown while inside after the Board of Health reinstated the indoor face covering mandate Monday night. Health Director Larry Ramdin said cases of COVID-19 in Watertown have increased sharply since early November, and recommended the indoor face mask mandate be reinstated. The Board of Health voted unanimously to start the mandate on Dec. 21, 2021, and it will be in effect until rescinded by the Board. “We have had an explosion of cases in Town since the 3rd of November,” Ramdin said.

Around Town

Temporary Suspension of Watertown’s Winter Parking Ban Over the Holidays

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Clipartpanda.com

The Watertown Police Department announced a temporary suspension of enforcement of the overnight parking ban over the holidays. The City sent out the following announcement:

Effective December 23, 2021, enforcement of the All Night Parking Ban will be temporarily suspended – barring any snowfall that would require plowing or sanding. Should there be a snow event please refer to the City website for available off-street parking locations. 

Police Chief Michael Lawn encourages all homeowners to continue using available off-street parking during the overnight hours. Enforcement of the All Night Parking Ban will resume on January 3, 2022.  

Have a safe and healthy holiday season.

Government

The Voice of the East End Bids Farewell After 16 Years as a Watertown Councilor

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Retiring District A Councilor Angie Kounelis, right, with her mother Evangelia. After 16 years, Angeline Kounelis — Angie to most — represented District A for the final time as a Councilor on Dec. 14. She not only represented East Watertown, to many she spoke for them and was a trusted advocate for their needs. In the wake of her final Council meeting, Kounelis said she has been flooded with notes of thanks, congratulations and appreciation.

Around Town

OP-ED: Keep Health Care Workers in Mind, System Strained by More Than COVID

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

The following piece was provided by State Sen. Will Brownsberger, who represents Watertown, Belmont and parts of Boston:

Please keep our health care workers in mind as you make decisions about what COVID risks to take over the coming weeks. As of Tuesday, December 14, there were 1411 people hospitalized with COVID in Massachusetts, of which 326 were in the ICU and 176 were intubated. That is well below the level in the first April 2020 surge when hospitalizations peaked at almost 4,000, yet for a combination of reasons, the hospital system is feeling a lot of strain. Steve Walsh, President of the Massachusetts Hospital Association testified at a hearing on December 16 about the state of the hospital system. He made the following points in his testimony:

Like many employers across the country, hospitals are having difficulty recruiting staff — nurses and behavioral health specialists are most in demand, but all hospital jobs are hard to fill.Caregivers are exhausted and burnt out — many are leaving for other fields or retiring.In the early days of COVID, it was possible to recruit travel nurses — acute surges were happening in only a few states.