Entertainment

New Rep Theatre Plans to Relaunch After Suspending Operations During Pandemic

By |

,

Watertown-based New Repertory Theatre announced it plans to return to the stage after going dormant for several months. The company, which is based at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, halted operations in July after losing half of the 2019-20 season and all of the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Mosesian Center for the Arts was also unavailable during much of that time while main lobby was being renovated. This week, the New Rep Board of Directors sent out a letter that said the company plans to relaunch and will “prioritize new work, community partnerships that bring forth underrepresented voices, and experimental approaches to bold, innovative, and creative programming.” They may also expand performances beyond the Mosesian Center.

City Manager

A History of Watertown’s Town Managers, 1981 to the Present

By |

City Manager Michael Driscoll will retire in January after 29 years in the position. by DeWitt Henry

As Watertown prepares for Michael Driscoll’s retirement after his 29 years of service as Town Manager; and as the City Council works with the specialized consulting firm Community Paradigm Associates LLC to search for his successor, it may be useful to remember how Michael Driscoll himself was hired. I refer readers to https://www.watertown-ma.gov/1065/Town-Council-Yearbook as well as to the Watertown Public Library’s archives of The Watertown Sun and the Watertown Press along with the Town of Watertown’s Annual Reports for these decades. THE FIRST MANAGER, PETER BOYER (1981-86)

Watertown’s government changed in 1980 from a Town Meeting and Selectman form to the Town Council and Manager form. The first town manager search was conducted by a Council presided over by Louis Andrews, a former Selectman, and included Roberta Miller, Marilyn Devaney, John Diliberto, Wayne MacDonald, William Oates, Mark Basile, and Renato D. Ray Musetti.

Sports

19 Watertown High School Athletes Named Middlesex League All-Stars

By |

The Middlesex League All-Stars have been announced and Watertown High School boasts nearly 20 athletes from seven teams on the list

Football: Colin Owens, Mason Andrade, Nathan Master

Boys Soccer: Joey Cottone, Pierre Paul Frederick Labossiere, Sean Anthony McCusker, Gregory Davidian

Girls Soccer: Amanda Cosco, Molly Sheehan

Golf: Jack Jones, Colin Campbell, James Erickson

Cross Country: Anna Lonergan

Field Hockey: Molly Driscoll, Margaret Driscoll, Elizabeth Loftus, Taylor Lambo, Ellie Monahan

Volleyball: Jenna Brussel Johnson

Around Town

Nationwide Health & Wellness Program for Kids Started with Local Organization Teaming with Watertown Boys & Girls Club

By |

A local non-profit organization that provides health and wellness classes to youth around the country got its start by working with the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. One for Health was created by a pair of friends since junior high school, Bruce Campelia and Tom Miller, who came up with the idea in 2011 while sitting next to Lake Winnipesaukee. They wanted to do something to help change the tide of rising childhood obesity and poor health in America, and came up with the idea of providing free classes. Miller had experience building brands having started an advertising specialty business from scratch and making it into a firm that is well known in the industry. Campelia founded technology start-ups and later moved into health and created a wellness center in Pennsylvania.

Transportation

Changes Planned to Some Watertown Bus Routes, MBTA Hosting Meeting Wednesday Night

By |

Charlie BreitroseAn MBTA bus in Watertown. The MBTA announced changes to services beginning on Dec. 19, 2021, including decreased frequency and schedule changes for some bus lines serving Watertown. The 70 bus line from Waltham to the Central Square area in Cambridge will have decreased frequency during weekday mornings and afternoons, Saturday afternoons, and Sunday afternoons. The 504 express bus from Watertown Yard to Copley Square will have decrease frequency in the morning and afternoon.

Chapter 74

School Committee Creating Committee to Study Vocational Education Options for Watertown Students

By |

The School Committee will create a committee to look at options for vocational and technical education available to Watertown students, including programs at Watertown High School, as well as vocational schools in the area. For many years, the primary option for Watertown students looking for training in a trade or other vocational program was Minuteman High School in Lexington. Superintendent Dede Galdston said Minuteman recently built a new school and the past couple years it has been difficult for students from Watertown to get admitted because the city is not a member of the Minuteman District. Programs at WHS

Watertown High School now offers one Chapter 74 Career and Technical Education Program which prepares students to work in a profession, or to pursue further in college. The first group of students, 10 seniors, have been going through the Engineering Technology program since they were sophomores and will finish the program this year, Galdston said.

Around Town

Watertown Inauguration Will Take Place at the Mosesian Center in January

By |

Watertown’s newly elected officials will be sworn in at an inauguration ceremony to be held at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. The inauguration includes the City Council President, eight City Councilors, three members of the School Committee and three members of the Board of Library Trustees. The ceremony is free and open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

The City of Watertown requests the honor of your presence to attend and participate in the Inauguration of the City Council, School Committee, and Library Board of Trustees, on Monday, the third of January, Two Thousand and Twenty-Two, at the Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the Arts located at 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, Massachusetts, at Ceremony at Seven O’clock in the evening.

Around Town

Hundreds Get in the Holiday Spirit at Watertown’s Tree Lighting

By |

Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Tree Lighting and other activities drew a crowd at the Commander’s Mansion. Hundreds of children and their parents flocked to the Commander’s Mansion Saturday evening for the Watertown Tree Lighting. One lucky family was selected in a raffle to turn on the lights on the Christmas tree set up outside the Mansion. The winning ticket was selected by the Mayor of Whoville, played by City Council President Mark Sideris. The winning family was escorted over to the light switch next to the tree by a parade led by the Tuba Guy.