See the Updated Watertown Summer Concert Schedule, New Band Added

Southbound TrainSouthbound Train will perform at Watertown’s Saltonstall Concert Series on Aug. 18 with free dance lesson beforehand. Due to some weather cancellations, a number of Watertown summer concerts have been rescheduled and the revamped lineup includes two weeks when the Town will host a pair of performances, including a new act. The Compaq Big Band was moved from early August to Aug. 13.

Court Finds Watertown Company Violated Fair Labor Standards, Retaliated Against Employee

The following announcement was provided by the U.S. Department of Labor:

An employee who worked for two Massachusetts construction contractors was within his rights when he complained to his supervisor about not receiving overtime pay and requested the wages he was due. The two companies responded with a campaign of retaliation, pressuring the worker to withdraw his overtime complaint. They convinced other individuals to follow and threaten the worker’s family, and told other employees they might lose their jobs because the worker requested overtime pay that was legally due. An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found that the contractors’ actions violated the anti-retaliation provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The department’s Office of the Solicitor filed suit against the defendants and obtained a temporary restraining order in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts in October of 2020.

Council Subcommittee Looks at Areas of Town Where Firearms Stores Could Operate

Firearm stores would be allowed in the same areas where marijuana dispensaries and adult stores can go in Watertown under the proposal recommended by a Town Council subcommittee. On Monday night, the Economic Development and Planning Committee heard the language drafted by Town administrators for limiting areas where gun dealers and related businesses could go in Watertown. Several other communities in the area have looked at firearms store regulations, including Newton where elected officials looked at a firearms store ban but instead voted to restrict them to a few spots in the city. Councilors in Watertown thought it was a good time to look at the Town’s zoning regarding such shops. “The thought process we had, from a staff perspective, is to keep this pretty simple,” said Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon.

Watertown Superintendent Gets High Marks from School Committee in Annual Evaluation

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.

Nike Opening New Store in Historic Building at Arsenal Yards

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.

Celebrity Chef Opens New Orleans Inspired Restaurant in Watertown

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.