Three New Restaurants Opening in Watertown, One Changing Management

Flavor Boom!Some of the dishes served up at Flavor Boom!, a new restaurant on Arsenal Street. The restaurant scene in Watertown is brimming with life, with the addition of three restaurants. Plus, an established eatery is changing hands. The three independent restaurants are on or near Arsenal Street, one features barbecue, another serves Central American and Mexican dishes, and a third has a variety of flavorful dishes from around the globe. Flavor Boom!

Council Approves $5 Million to “Bridge” Watertown High School Project Before Start of Construction

Ai3 ArchitectsA mockup of what the main entrance to the new Watertown High School could look like from a presentation designers made to the School Building Committee in September 2021. As the new Watertown High School continues to be designed, the Town Council approved $5.2 million to bridge the gap before the final approval of funding is given by the state and to keep construction on schedule. The money will help pay for the design of the swing spaces that will be used while the school is under construction, as well as to cover the increased amount of time that it took to come up with the final design, Christy Murphy of Compass Project Management told the Council Tuesday night. The money to cover the $5.2 million came out of the Watertown High School Stabilization Fund, said Town Manager Michael Driscoll said. The Council voted 8-0 to support the use of the funds.

Watertown School Officials Want Input on How to Spend Millions in Pandemic Relief Funds

The Watertown Public Schools will get close to $3 million to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and School officials want to hear from the community about what sorts of things they would like to see the money spent on. As part of the federal American Rescue Plan, the Watertown Public Schools received an allocation of $2,868,929 which can be spent through June 2024. It is part of the third pandemic relief package for schools, known as Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III or ESSER III. The money can be spent to support safe reopening of schools and sustaining safe schools, as well as helping students with their academic, social, emotional and mental health needs. Superintendent Dede Galdston said that the grant application for ESSER III requires feedback from residents.

See Photos of the Fun and Games at the 2021 Watertown Faire on the Square

Charlie BreitroseThe Faire on the Square returned to Saltonstall Park in 2021, with all the fun and games. Saltonstall Park came to life Saturday with the return of the Faire on the Square. After a year off due to the pandemic, the annual celebration returned to Watertown in 2021. Jennifer KavanaughMany of the dozens of candidates running for office in Watertown this fall had booths at the Faire. A variety of bands performed on the Main Stage.

Watertown Field Hockey Working on the Basics With Hopes it Will Pay Off at the End of the Season

Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s Molly Driscoll fights for the ball against Melrose at Victory Field on Thursday. She had an assist in the win. Watertown High School’s field hockey team has jumped out to a hot start, winning their first four games without allowing a goal, but the team is not satisfied and looks for ways to improve their performance. Thursday, Watertown defeated Melrose 7-0, led by a hat trick by Aislin Devaney. Four others scored goals: Taylor Lambo, Lizzie Loftus, Maggie Driscoll and Rachel Egan, and assists were added by Ally Fujix, Maggie Driscoll (2), Loftus (2), Molly Driscoll and Egan.

See the Candidates for Councilor At-Large at Forum Hosted by Watertown News, Watertown Cable

In the first of three candidate forums for the Watertown Election, the candidates for Councilor At-Large will be appearing live at the virtual event on Thursday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m.

The forum will be broadcast live on Watertown Cable Access TV, and also the public can join on Zoom. It is co-hosted by Watertown News and Watertown Cable. The moderator will be Jim Vershbow, co-anchor of the Watertown Weekly News on Watertown Cable. The Councilors At-Large are elected by the entire town.

Watertown Police Department Receives Accreditation from State Commission

The Watertown Police Department was accredited by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission. The Watertown Police Department received word that it successfully completed the re-accreditation process with the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission, during which it had to show it follows professional standards. The program is a voluntary one, in which police departments “strive to meet and maintain standards that have been established for the profession by the profession,” according to the Commission. MPAC Executive Director Rick J. Rathburn commended the Watertown Police for its accomplishment in a letter to Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn. “This prestigious status has been awarded for another three-year period ending September 2024,” Rathburn wrote.