Around Town

Bricks from Old High School Available, Lane Closing for Project

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The old Watertown High School has been mostly demolished. This photo, courtesy of Watertown Cable, was taken in late November. The following announcement was provided by Vertex:

Exciting progress continues on the Watertown High School project as the existingbuilding is more than 50% demolished and foundation work has started. Please see below forupdates regarding specific project details. Upcoming Work Affecting Traffic Pattern of Common Street

On Wednesday December 20th contractors will be performing work on Common St.

Government

Watertown Public Works Front Office Hours Changing

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The Department of Public Works facility on Orchard Street will be opening and closing earlier in the day starting the week of Dec. 18. The DPW asked the City Council to make the changes because many contractors start before the old opening time of 8:30 a.m. and wanted to do business with the department. Some councilors asked if residents would be coming over in the afternoon and no longer be able to speak to someone at the DPW front desk. Public Works Superintendent Greg St.

Business

Arsenal Yards Adding New Food, Clothing & Pet Offerings

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The following announcement was provided by Arsenal Yards:

The thriving neighborhood in Watertown’s historic East End from Boylston Properties and Wilder, Arsenal Yards today announces three exciting new additions in 2024: J.Crew Factory, Jersey Mike’s Subs, and Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique. With leases signed, these three new venues will add to the neighborhood’s already bursting roster of popular restaurants, retailers, fitness, service, and entertainment offerings. More information on each follows below. Jersey Mike’s Subs

Jersey Mike’s Subs, known for its fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs, has announced it will open a new location in Watertown’s Arsenal Yards at 100 Bond Square in 2024. Jersey Mike’s premium meats and cheeses are sliced on the spot and piled high on in-store baked bread.

Around Town

Council Uses ARPA Funds on a Mix of Social Services, Water/Sewer & Climate Projects

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Watertown City Hall

Watertown’s ARPA funds will got to 18 projects, including water and sewer system upgrades, public housing improvements, creating a daycare facility, and money to help local food assistance programs.

The City of Watertown had a “once in a lifetime” opportunity opportunity to spend more than $10 million on projects using the funds provided as part of the federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act). Some of the projects funded include: sewer rehabilitation, moving the Food Pantry to a new location, building a childcare center at the Watertown Boys & Girls Club, expanding the Social Service Resource Specialist Program, creating a one-time housing assistance fund, funding a public health program for the prevention of drug and substance use, adding a photovoltaic (PV) solar array at the new Watertown High School, and a study of City-supported local transit. The complete list of programs funded, and descriptions of the project, can be seen below. The $10,742,413 was part of the federal Pandemic relief package, and could be used for public health, responding to negative economic impacts, services to disproportionately impacted communities, water, sewer and broadband infrastructure, and revenue replacement, according to the City Council’s resolution. After receiving more than 30 applications for project, both from City departments and local non-profits, the Council’s Budget & Fiscal Oversight Committee held a series of meetings speaking to the projects that met the requirements of how the funds could be used.

Sports

Watertown Basketball Game Suspended After Injury to Player

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An injury to a player in Watertown High School’s boys basketball game against Lexington caused play to be suspended, and the player was sent to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The player, from Lexington, landed on his head after a play near the basket. Witnesses said he appeared to be unconscious and then appeared to have spasms. The player was taken to the hospital, and “is home healing and is expected to make a full recovery and join his team soon,” wrote Watertown High School Principal Joel Giacobozzi in a letter to students and parents sent out Wednesday morning. Many students and parents at the game were visibly upset. Giacobozzi said that in the morning announcements that went over the WHS PA system, students were told they could take time out of class to speak to a counselor to talk about the incident.

Government

City Council to Vote on Roads to be Reconstructed in 2024

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Tuesday night, the City Council will consider approving the list of roads in Watertown to be reconstructed in 2023. The Council’s Committee on Public Works recommended a list of five roads to be approved. The work would begin in the spring of 2024. Recommended Street List

George Street

Bromfield Street

Mangano Court

Grandview Avenue

Dwight Street

The list created by the Department of Public Works was based on a number of factors, according to the Committee report. “Some of these factors include a review of the pavement condition index (PCI), what utilities (water, sewer, and drain) are planned to be replaced, and the plans of public utilities (National Grid and Eversource).”

Around Town

Watertown’s Hidden Problem: Food Insecurity Among Us (First Part of a Series)

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Food on the shelfs at the Watertown Food Pantry, which has seen an increase in the number of people using its services since the start of the Pandemic. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

For many, Watertown is a destination for food and eating, with dozens of restaurants, markets small and large, and a farmers market through the warmer months. However, a significant number of residents have trouble affording to feed themselves and their families. The hunger problem in Watertown is often not visible, but those who provide assistance and services to people in need have noticed a recent increase in the number of people in town facing food insecurity, spiking during the Pandemic. And, while the COVID cases have dropped, the numbers of people going to Watertown’s two food pantries, or needing help to put enough food on their table has remained at about the same level.