Around Town

Watch Videos from This Week’s Council President Forums, Catch the School Committee Hopefuls Monday

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The candidates running for City Council President appeared in two candidate forums this week. Don’t worry if you missed them, you can watch the replays. Also, Monday night, the five School Committee candidates will appear in a live forum. On Wednesday night incumbent Mark Sideris and challenger Clyde Younger responded to questions on a variety of subjects during the candidate forum sponsored by Watertown News and Watertown Cable Access TV. The event took place at the Watertown Free Public Library and was broadcast by WCA-TV.

Government

Watertown City Budget Looks Strong in Current Fiscal Year, Next Year Could be Tighter

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Watertown City Manager George Proakis gave his second Preliminary Budget Overview on Tuesday. City officials got some unexpected good news from taxes generated by new development in the current fiscal year, but City Manager George Proakis said he remains cautious about the good financial times continuing. Tuesday night, Proakis updated the City Council about the current year’s budget, Fiscal Year 2024, and presented the Fiscal 2025 Preliminary Budget Overview. The revenues in FY24 came in $5.3 million above the projection when the budget was made last spring. However, the current bottom line for next year’s Watertown budget (FY25) is a $2.4 million shortfall.

Around Town

Boston Bruins Foundation Sponsoring New Outdoor Rink/Court at Moxley Field, Jerry York to Speak at Opening

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The new multi-sport rink and court at Moxley Field will be sponsored by the biggest name in hockey the Boston area, and one of Watertown’s hockey royalty will be part of the dedication later in October. The Watertown Recreation Department sent out the following announcement:

Residents and Friends of Watertown,

On behalf of the City of Watertown, the Watertown Department of Recreation, and the Boston Bruins Foundation, it is my privilege to formally invite you to our Court Dedication Ceremony at PFC Richard Moxley Field. This event will take place on Wednesday, October 25 at 4 p.m. at 31 Westminster Ave in Watertown. I am honored that we can salute Vietnam War Marine PFC Richard Moxley, for whom the field is named after, while creating a fun filled event to not only dedicate, but officially open our newest recreational facility. This facility includes a multi-purpose rink, basketball court, tennis / pickleball court, and LED lighting.

Government

NEW TIME: Two Chances to Hear from Council President Candidates

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(Note: The time of the Chamber’s debate has changed. See the new time below)

The two candidates for City Council President will appear in a pair of candidate events this week. WCA-TV & Watertown News Hosting Live Forum

On Wednesday, Oct. 11, Watertown Cable News, Watertown Cable Access Corp and Watertown News will host an election forum featuring the two candidates running for City Council President. Incumbent Mark Sideris is being challenged by former Town Council President Clyde Younger.

Schools

Watertown Schools Receive Recognition, Superintendent Gets Raise & More

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By Kendra FoleySchool Committee Chair

The 2023-2024 school year is underway in Watertown and we hope you are having a good start to your year. 

Our year began with exciting news, as the Hosmer Elementary School was honored by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a School of Recognition. Hosmer was only one of 66 schools in the state to earn this title as part of DESE’s release of MCAS data and accountability metrics. Our district as a whole also earned high marks from the state. You can read more about the recognition in Ms. Moulton’s newsletter to the Hosmer community. Watertown High School was also recognized for strong academic achievement, earning a place on the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll with a Silver Distinction.

Around Town

Closings in Watertown for Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day Holiday

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Several City facilities will be closed on Monday, Oct. 9 for the Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day holiday. The City of Watertown provided the following information:

Watertown City Hall and Senior Center are closed on Monday, October 9, 2023 in observance of the Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day holiday. Please be aware that the trash and recycling pickup schedule for the week will be Tuesday, October 10 through Saturday, October 14, 2023. Also, the Watertown Free Public Library will be closed on Monday, according to the Library’s website.

Around Town

Watertown LGBTQ-Owned Restaurant Receives Community Impact Grant 

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The following announcement was provided by the MA LGBT Chamber of Commerce:

Ritcey East, an LGBTQ-Owned business based in Watertown is among 12 small businesses statewide receiving a community impact grant from the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). The business received a grant totaling $5,000. “LGBTQ-Owned businesses are an important piece of our Commonwealth’s economy and so this support not only helps each of the businesses receiving grants but also supports the communities they are a part of,” said Grace Moreno, Executive Director of the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce. “The LGBTQ community faces many barriers to creating small businesses and so we have a clear mandate to remove those barriers and find the resources to allow them to thrive. That is what our Chamber is all about.” 

The NGLCC Community Impact Grant Program, supported by the Grubhub Community Fund, annually provides financial support to businesses with grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.