Schools

Watertown Superintendent Gets High Marks from School Committee in Annual Evaluation

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Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston. Superintendent Dede Galdston received high marks from the School Committee, especially for handling the return of students to school in the pandemic, during her annual performance evaluation. The School Committee announced the results of the annual performance review for the head of the Watertown Public Schools on Aug. 2. Six of the seven members of the School Committee gave Galdston the highest rating in overall performance, and all seven gave her top marks on the reopening of schools after being closed for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arrests

Police Log: Businesses Broken Into, Multiple Catalytic Converters Stolen

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

July 28, 1:14 a.m.: Watertown Police checked on a car parked at Arsenal Park after closing time. A man inside was sleeping in the backseat. When they checked on the man, police spoke to him and found out he had an outstanding warrant. Joshua Wood, 31, from Lowell, was arrested on the warrant from Brighton District Court for disorderly conduct and destruction of property.

Around Town

Nike Opening New Store in Historic Building at Arsenal Yards

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NikeInside the new Nike Unite store at Arsenal Yards. One of the most visible spaces at Arsenal Yards will be filled by one of the biggest names in athletic clothing and gear. The new Nike Unite Watertown store opens Saturday, Aug. 7, in one of the buildings that was part of the original Watertown Arsenal. “As part of the Nike Unite concept, which reimagines our factory store vision, Nike Unite Watertown is a 15,998-square-foot home court for local Nike members, serving as our most valuable destination for sport and product inspiration in the communities we serve,” said the announcement from Nike.

Around Town

Celebrity Chef Opens New Orleans Inspired Restaurant in Watertown

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Charlie BreitroseThe patio seating outside Buttermilk & Bourbon is part of Chef Jason Santos’ vision of bringing a taste of New Orleans to Watertown. One of Boston’s celebrity chefs brought his New Orleans inspired cuisine to Watertown, where he had his first opportunity to build a restaurant from scratch. Buttermilk & Bourbon officially opens on Monday, Aug. 9, but chef and owner Jason Santos hosted an opening night celebration on Aug. 5 at his newest location at Arsenal Yards.

Around Town

Watertown Library Will Start Requiring Masks for In-Person Visits

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Watertown LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Library sent out the following information:

Beginning Monday, August 9, face masks will be required for all people ages two and older inside the Library. Current Library Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 9 AM – 9 PMFriday: 9 AM – 7 PMSaturday: 9 AM – 5 PMSunday: 1 PM – 5 PM

You are required to:

Wear a mask while using the children’s room, regardless of vaccination status. Follow CDC and Massachusetts mask and social distancing guidance for unvaccinated people.Beginning Monday, 8/9/21, masks will be required for all people ages two and older in the Library. 

Available Services

Library services have resumed. Library programming will be offered via Zoom and in-person outdoors through the summer. Meeting and study rooms are available for public use.

Arts

Singers of All Ages Can Try Out for 51st Annual Christmas Revels

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Roger IdeChristmas Revels chorus performs in 2009 at the Sanders Theater in Cambridge. Watertown-based Revels sent out the following announcement:

September Chorus Auditions announced as The Christmas Revels returns to Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre in Cambridge for its 51st annual Winter Solstice Celebration! Audition for The Christmas Revels, one of the region’s most popular holiday entertainments! WHEN:  Sunday, September 12 &  Monday, September 13, 2021

(4-6 pm children ages 7-12) (7-9:30 pm adults)

WHERE:  Belmont-Watertown UMC, 80 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 

(By Appointment Only)

Revels seeks a diverse and talented volunteer chorus of adults and children to join us onstage for 15 performances of The Christmas Revels at Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre in Cambridge, MA.

Police/Fire

Rash of Smashed Car Windows Reported Around Watertown

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Watertown Police are investigating several recent reports of vehicles that had their rear windows smashed by large rocks or objects. From late on the night of July 28 to the morning of July 31, Watertown Police received six reports of back windows of vehicles that had been smashed in different locations around town. The first incident was reported on Edenfield Avenue at about 11:30 p.m. on July 28. The owner had seen the window intact at about 6 p.m.

On July 29, a Hillside Road resident found the rear window completely shattered shortly after 8 a.m. A piece of concrete was used in this incident. A Westminster Avenue resident parked on the street at about 2 p.m. on July 29 and at about four looked out and saw the back window of the vehicle had been smashed.

Around Town

Town Designing 311 System for One-Stop Place for Residents to Report Issues, Get Answers

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Watertown Town Hall

The Town of Watertown plans to create a one-stop place where people can get problems addressed and have their questions answered. In July, the Town Council approved a transfer of $30,000 to the IT Department to move forward with the creation of a 311 Customer Service System. Systems in other communities vary from a phone number to an online chat to texting or using social media messages to send in requests. Town Council President Mark Sideris said many residents have been calling for a 311 system. It was a popular idea at the Kitchen Table Conversations, the informal discussions held in 2019 when the Town Council looked for ways to improve communication with residents.