Entertainment

Dance Music and a Free Dance Lesson at This Week’s Watertown Summer Concert

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Tony Soul Project will perform on July 7 at Watertown’s Saltonstall Park. Get ready to dance at this Wednesday’s Watertown summer concert featuring the Tony Soul Project. The Worcester-based band calls itself a hard driving dance band that plays songs “from the Delta to Soul to Rock & Roll.” The concert will be at Saltonstall Park (next to Town Hall, 149 Main St.) on July 7 beginning at 6:30 p.m. People wanting to learn a few steps before the concert can join in a free lesson at 6 p.m. to learn The Hustle from instructors from Ballroom in Boston. Tony Soul Project’s sets include a variety of favorites.

Homepage Featured

Police Log: Couple Tries to Scam Autistic Man, Man Wanted on Five Warrants Arrested

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

June 22, 7:51 p.m.: Watertown Police were called to the Inn on Arsenal (the former Super 8 Motel) to check on a man who had not responded to a friend’s calls. They found the man in his room, and he said he had fallen asleep and missed the call. When police were there they found that the man had five warrants for his arrest: one from New Bedford District Court for unarmed robbery; two from Dedham District Court (one for attempting to commit a crime and one domestic-related charge); one from Falmouth District Court for uttering a false check, check forgery, and larceny under $250 from someone over 60 years old; and a domestic-related charge from Malden District Court. Michael J. Perry, 39, of Somerville, was arrested on the warrants.

Alex Rosin

Watertown Resident Named Vice President at Berkshire Bank

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Watertown’s Alex Rosin was named a vice president at Berkshire Bank. Berkshire Banks provided the following announcement:

Berkshire Bank, a socially-responsible community-dedicated bank with locations primarily in New England and New York, recently announced the hiring of Alexander A. Rosin as VP Business Banking Relationship Manager. 

He will be based in Needham, covering the Eastern Massachusetts footprint. As a Business Banking Relationship Manager, Rosin will assist Berkshire Bank clients with specific business goals and empower them to make confident financial decisions. 

In his new role, Mr. Rosin will be at the center of our client-focused strategy. He will serve as a trusted advisor, providing corporate and commercial clients with sound advice based on a deep understanding of their unique financial needs.  

“Alex brings significant banking experience to his role and a strong track record of building long-term customer relationships,” said Scott Vickery, Team Leader Business Banking at Berkshire Bank. “We look forward to his contributions to our clients in the region and in helping to build Berkshire into a purpose-driven community bank.” 

About Alexander A. Rosin VP, Business Banking Relationship Manager  

Rosin has over 10 years of experience in the banking industry. He was most recently a Vice President of Business Banking with Webster Bank, N.A and was previously at Eastern Bank. Mr. Rosin has also worked with Citibank N.A, TD Bank and Citizens Bank throughout his career He is a graduate of New England College of Business and Finance. Mr. Rosin is active in his community and sits on the board for the Rotary Club of Watertown and volunteers at the Watertown Boys and Girls Club among various other organizations. Mr. Rosin was born in Russia and came to the United States at age 5.

Charter Review Committee

Council Vice President Term Limits & Council Compensation Discussed by Charter Review Committee

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Charlie BreitroseResidents packed the Council Chamber for a Town Council Meeting. The Charter Review Committee tackled a couple of issues impacting the Town Council, including whether the Vice President should have term limits, and when and how the Council should determine its own salaries. At the June 15 meeting, the Charter Review Committee was asked to propose changes that were not already proposed by the consultants from the Collins Center at UMass Boston. Vice President Term Limits

Councilor Tony Palomba proposed a change to the Charter that would have the vice president of the Council to be chosen for a two-year term and not be allowed to serve for more than two consecutive terms. The position, which is currently nominated and voted on by the Council, currently is chosen at the beginning of the two-year term and there are no limits to how many terms someone can serve. Palomba said he believes it is a position where Councilors can learn a lot about how the government works.

Around Town

LETTER: School Mental Health Professional, Mother of 2 Running for School Committee

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Jessica Middlebrook announced her run for School Committee. She is shown with her two daughters at Watertown Town Hall. My name is Jessica Middlebrook and I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for Watertown School Committee. In the wake of the most disruptive and painful school year in living memory, our community needs experienced, empathic leaders who will build connections, foster difficult but important conversations, and work toward creating equitable school cultures where all students feel valued and safe. With my experience as a parent and school mental health professional, my strong progressive values, and my abiding love for our community, I know that I can help our schools work better for all our kids and families.  

My husband, David, and I have been residents of Watertown for the past 12 years. We were drawn here to start our family because of its diversity and caring, engaged community.

Around Town

Mount Auburn Cemetery Names 14th President and CEO

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Matthew Stephens, Mount Auburn’s 14th President & CEO. (Photo by Richard Morgenstein)

Mount Auburn Cemetery sent out the following announcement:

The Mount Auburn Cemetery Board of Trustees has unanimously selected Matthew Stephens to be its 14th President and CEO. A vocal advocate for the power of green spaces in urban environments and an outstanding business leader with strong experience in strategic planning, Stephens will begin in his new role in September. “Mount Auburn Cemetery plays a unique, multi-faceted role as a historic site, an active cemetery and a vibrant green space. Matthew Stephens’ has the energy, vision, and expertise to successfully lead Mount Auburn Cemetery,” said Patricia Jacoby, Chair of Mount Auburn’s Board of Trustees. “As we approach our two-hundredth anniversary in 2031, we have many opportunities to consider how to continue our long history of effectively connecting this special place with nearby residents and visitors alike.”

With more than 15 years of leadership experience, Stephens has managed historic, public-facing organizations with complex missions.

Government

Council Backs Rules for Short-Term Rentals (Like Airbnb), No Decision on Max Number of Renters

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The Town Council moved forward proposed rules that would apply to short-term rentals — such as those booked through Airbnb or Vrbo — in Watertown, but could not come to an agreement on what the maximum number of guests at a rental would be. On June 22, the Town Council approved proposed changes to the Town’s Zoning Ordinance to allow short-term rentals as an accessory use. The short-term rentals rule will now go to the Planning Board, which will review them and give their recommendation, and then they will come back to the Council for final approval. Under the rules, short-term rentals will be allowed in Watertown, but operators will have to register with the Town and have the units inspected. There will also be community impact fees charged each time a unit is rented, with the funds coming back to the Town.

Around Town

Watertown Food Pantry Coordinator Named a Commonwealth Heroine

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Kathleen Cunningham, coordinator of the Watertown Food Pantry, received the Commonwealth Heroine award recently. She was recommended for the honor by State Rep. Steve Owens, shown right. State Rep. Steve Owens provided the following announcement:

Kathleen Cunningham, of Watertown, was honored as a member of the 2021 class of Commonwealth Heroines. Recommended by State Rep. Steve Owens and selected by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW), Cunningham joins over one hundred other women who were recognized for their “unheralded acts on a daily basis that make our homes, neighborhoods, cities, and towns better places to live” according to a statement released by the MCSW. Cunningham serves as the Coordinator of the Watertown Food Pantry, which continues to be a vital resource for community members in the area.