Police/Fire

Police Log: SWAT Team Arrests Man in Connection with Shooting, Two Bikes Stolen & More

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department:

May 29, 6 a.m.: A NEMLEC (Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council) SWAT team came to Watertown to serve a warrant obtained by Randolph Police related to a shooting in that community on April 28. They served it at a home on Warren Street. During the search, six firearms were found, including one on which the serial number had been defaced and three that had been reported stolen. Shamere Ross, 33, of Watertown, was arrested on charges of possession of firearms, as well as for his involvement in the Randolph shooting. May 29, 1 p.m.: A man went into Nike carrying a shoebox.

Around Town

Take a Trip Down the Charles River on the Proposed Water Shuttle Route, Grant Being Sought

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Drew Rollert, right, and Will Congram hope to be making trips down the Charles River from Watertown Square to Beacon Hill in Boston on a water shuttle. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

On a sunny spring day, the two men behind the effort to create a water shuttle from Watertown to Boston hopped on a small motor boat to give Watertown News a preview of what a trip down the Charles River would be like. Drew Rollert, who came up with the idea after being stuck in traffic trying to get to Fenway Park from Watertown as the waters of the Charles River remained quiet, hopes to start a pilot shuttle by the fall of 2024. The company, called Wada Hoppah, has applied for a grant to get the electric-powered shuttle sailing. The Watertown Yacht Club with the Arsenal on the Charles behind it.

Entertainment

New Rep’s Run Ends With Fanfare: Several Nominations & 2 Wins at Theater Awards Ceremony

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Valyn Lyric Turner gives her acceptance speech after winning the Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Small Theater for her role in “A Raisin in the Sun.” (Photo by Nile Scott Studios)

Watertown-based New Repertory Theatre closed its doors in 2023, but the company’s final season earned accolades at the recent Elliot Norton Awards in Boston. The following announcement was provided by Maria Hendricks, one of the former Resident Artists/Co-Artistic Directors at New Rep.

New Repertory Theatre’s final season went out with a bang as its productions were celebrated at the esteemed 41st Annual Elliot Norton Awards, held at The Huntington Theater on May 20. As one of the Greater Boston area’s premiere mid-sized regional theater companies for 40 years, it was especially gratifying for the company to receive such meaningful recognition as it ended its run. New Rep received 7 Nominations:

• Outstanding Production, Small Theater – A Raisin in the Sun

• Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Small Theater – Damon Singletary – A Raisin in the Sun

• Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Small Theater – Valyn Lyric Turner – A Raisin in the Sun

• Outstanding Director, Small Theater – Lois Roach – A Raisin in the Sun

• Outstanding Director, Small Theater – Pascale Florestal – Diaspora!

Around Town

Now Open: City of Watertown’s 311 Service Center, Taking Calls and Emails

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The City of Watertown announced the start of the 311 Service Center, see the announcement below. We are happy to announce that today, Monday June 3, 2024, the City of Watertown’s 311 Service Center is officially open. By dialing 311, you’ll be able to reach a live representative who can answer informational questions, process non-emergency requests, or direct you to the appropriate department. The service center aims to enhance the quality of customer service provided by the City and will adhere to the highest standards. We are excited about the launch and the benefits it will bring to our community.

Government

Watertown Square Plan Documents Released Along with Agenda for Public Meeting

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The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

The Joint Hearing of the City Council and Planning Board to be held on June 13, 2024 at 6:00 PM at Watertown Middle School Auditorium, 68 Waverley Avenue. The Watertown Square Area Plan Document has been posted and you can access the document here (PDF). You can also access an appendix document of the updated MBTA Communities Zoning Summary (PDF). The Plan Document will be discussed at the City Council and Planning Board Joint Hearing on June 13, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the Watertown Middle School Auditorium at 68 Waverley Avenue in Watertown. Printed copies of the Plan Document will be made available at the Watertown Free Public Library and at the Watertown Senior Center starting next week.

Around Town

New Bagel Store Opening in Watertown This Weekend, Will Soon Serve Brunch

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Wicked Bagel will open its Watertown location on June 1. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown will have a new place to grab bagels, coffee, and soon brunch when Wicked Bagel opens on School Street. The location at 68 School St., the former Porcini’s spot, will be the third for Wicked Bagel, which also has stores in Lexington and Woburn. Wicked Bagel opens for business on Saturday, June 1, and will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wicked Bagel President Maria Mahoney said customers will get a discount during the opening weekend, with 25 percent off the entire order for walk-ins on Saturday and Sunday. The Watertown store will have something that the other two locations do not offer – brunch with alcohol available.

Government

Edible Watertown Program Receives National Endowment for the Arts Grant

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The artwork from Edible Plants 2022, Clockwise from top left: Daylily by Patti Murphy, Bee Balm by Niloufar Keyhani, Elderberry by Marija Draskic
Brancazio, Wintergreen by Kate Martens, Mayapple by Carol Leonesio, Mountain Mint by Cat Bennett, Huckleberry
by Donna Calleja, Red Bud by Debajyoti Biswas, Bearberry by Connie Henry, and Garlic Chives by Jaclyn Kain. The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Public Arts & Culture Committee is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $20,000. This grant will support the Edible Watertown: Expert Pairings project. In total, the NEA will award 1,135 Grants for Arts Projects awards totaling more than $37 million as part of its second round of fiscal year 2024 grants. “Projects like Edible Watertown exemplify the creativity and care with which communities are telling their stories, creating connection, and responding to challenges and opportunities in their communities—all through the arts,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD.

Government

Hours of Watertown City Hall, Senior Center & More Changing After Council Vote

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Hours will be changing for Watertown City departments in City Hall, the Parker Annex, along with the Senior Center, after a City Council vote on Tuesday. These facilities will be open later on Tuesdays and close earlier on Fridays throughout the year. City Manager George Proakis said at a previous meeting that the change in hours would help the city recruit employees, and that many surrounding communities have early closings on Fridays. One area of concern was resident’s ability to pay bills at the Treasurer’s office on Fridays. “There have been discussions about how it affects particular employees, and how it impacts the public as a whole,” Proakis said.