Around Town

Construction Beginning Soon at Victory Field Oval, Courts Area

By |

The track, tennis courts and basketball courts at Victory Field will soon close until next year while Victory Field Phase II improvements are made. The City of Watertown sent out the following information. Construction at Victory Field is starting next week improve the track, grass field, tennis courts, basketball courts, and more. These areas will be closed to the public while work in on-going. Victory Field’s multi-purpose turf field will remain open, as will the playground along Orchard Street.

Around Town

Health Department Received More Than 100 Rodent Complaints, Body Work Regulations Begin

By |

Watertown’s Health Department has received more than 100 complaints about rodents since the beginning of the trash strike. At their meeting the Board of Health also heard about the start of the City’s body work regulations, and approved a life science company’s permit. A short Board of Health Meeting on Aug. 20 concluded without any conversation about newly proposed tobacco regulations, but did see a permit approval and some general Health Department updates. Talks about the regulations did not progress as Board of Health member Kim Netter was recovering from a medical issue so was unable to vote, and member Dominic Amirtharaj was not able to attend the meeting.

Police/Fire

Man’s Quick Action Saved Life of Driver Having Medical Emergency

By |

Watertown Police commended a 20-year-old man for helping a driver who was experiencing a medical emergency, and preventing any additional injuries and damage. Wellington Soares acted swiftly when he came upon an emergency situation at Arsenal Yards, according to a statement by Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan. “On Aug. 17, 2025, Mr. Soares was outside Chipotle on Arsenal Yards Boulevard when he noticed a vehicle drifting across lanes before striking a sidewalk planter,” Hanrahan’s statement said. “Recognizing that the operator was experiencing a medical emergency, Mr. Soares immediately ran to assist.”

Schools

Watertown High School to Pilot App That Would Disable Student Cellphones During Class

By |

Watertown High School students will use an app to disable cellphones during class beginning in the fall of 2025. (Courtesy by City of Watertown)

Watertown High School plans to disable students’ cellphones during class using software that the school will be piloting during the 2025-26 school year. At Monday’s meeting the School Committee heard from parents who called one of the books on the recommended summer reading list “anti-Semitic.” The Committee also got more information on the changes to the Sexual and Sex-based Discrimination policy. Cellphone Pilot

WHS Principal Joel Giacobozzi told the School Committee on Aug.

Around Town

City Reminds Residents That Short-Term Rentals Are Prohibited

By |

Photo by Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

City officials recently reinforced that short-term rentals such as Airbnb and VRBO are not allowed in Watertown. In April 2024, the City Council rejected a proposal that would have allowed short-term rentals on a limited basis, including for under 3 months a year. “The City’s zoning regulations prohibit the rental of properties for a period of less than 31 days, and those violating this ordinance are subject to fines,” the City’s announcement said. The announcement was part of the City’s education efforts around short-term rentals, said Tyler Cote, the City’s Community Engagement Specialist. “When the Council passed the ordinance, we worked with our Zoning and Code Enforcement team to develop an enforcement strategy, which includes this step of sending letters to identified properties around Watertown,” Cote said.

Around Town

POSTPONED: Tuesday Night Talk With Police in August Features the WPD’s School Resource Officers

By |

(UPDATE Aug. 18, 3:25 p.m.): The Tuesday Night Talk in August has been postponed to a date that will be announced at a later time.)

Once a month, the Watertown Police Department invites the public in to learn about how the department works and what officers are doing around town. On Aug. 19, the Tuesday Night Talk features the WPD’s School Resource Officers. The talks grew out of another Watertown Police Department community program, said Watertown Police Lt. Kevin McManus.

Police/Fire

Four Motor Vehicles Stolen from Watertown, Dozens More Broken Into

By |

Watertown Police warn residents to be vigilant after four motor vehicles were stolen from town, and several other vehicle break-ins occuring over the last week. The first two vehicle thefts were reported on Aug. 14, with one taken from Carroll Street and the other from Evans Street, said Watertown Police Det. Lt. Ken Swift. Two more vehicles were reported stolen on Aug.

Around Town

New Policy for Lights at City Fields and Courts Approved by City Council

By |

A new policy was approved for lights at Watertown’s Recreation facilities, including Saltonstall Park, home to the Papas Elite Summer Basketball League. (Photo by Natalie Nigito Photography)

A new policy for controlling lights at Recreation Department-run fields and courts was approved by the City Council on Aug. 12, despite some confusion coming out of the Committee meeting on the issue. The purpose of the policy, said Councilor Tony Palmoba (chair of the Committee on Parks and Recreation) is to have effective lighting while balancing community needs, public access and energy conservation. Generally, lights will turn on at fields and courts at sunset and turn off at designated closing times.