Around Town

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

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(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

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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

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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.

Government

Watertown to Request Residential Tax Relief from State Legislature

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The City of Watertown will request permanent tax relief for residential property owners by sending a Home Rule Petition to the State Legislature for approval. The City currently has a three year tax relief which allows for the City to shift more of the burden of property taxes on to commercial, industrial and personal properties. For years, the City had been able to do a shift of 175 percent but due to a detail in the state law for tax shifts, it limited the amount that could be charged to residential properties. This combined with increasing values of commercial, industrial and personal properties means that Watertown has not been able to do the full 175 percent shift. City Manager George Proakis said that the City is limited by the state law that requires that the proportions of tax levy not exceed 38.76 percent for commercial, industrial and personal properties, which is the percentage when Watertown set the split tax rate.

Schools

WHS Changes Policies on Dress Code, Cellphone Use; School Committee Discusses Policy for Reporting Harassment

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The sign for the temporary Watertown High School at PFC Richard Moxley Field. (Courtesy by City of Watertown)

(UPDATED Aug. 20: Additional information was added about the cellphone policy at the high school and the personal electronic device policy.)

When the 2025-26 School Year begins in September, Watertown High School students will have a new dress code, and fewer days to add or drop a class. The School Committee also discussed the sex-based harassment reporting policy, and heard about individualized instruction for math and literacy, and district policy changes. The School Committee approved the changes to the WHS Handbook at its meeting on July 28.

Government

Watertown City Councilor Taking Job with City of Waltham

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Watertown City Councilor Emily Izzo has been appointed as an attorney with the City of Waltham. (Courtesy of Emily Izzo)

A Watertown City Councilor will get a look from the other side of municipal government when she takes a position as an attorney for the City of Waltham. District D Councilor Emily Izzo recently accepted a position as an Assistant City Solicitor in Waltham, reported the Waltham Times. She will begin on Sept. 2, 2025.

Around Town

Residents Walk Around Walker Pond, Meeting on Aug. 14 Will Gather Input on Future of Site

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Walker Pond can be seen through the trees from the path around the pond. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

On the morning of Aug. 7 a group walked around a small forested area around one of Watertown’s few wetland areas — Walker Pond. The City purchased the property on the border with Waltham in 2023 to develop the area into a public recreation facility. On Aug.