Schools

Watertown Public Schools Nutrition Director Named Top School Nutrition Director in Mass.

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Watertown School Nutrition Director Brandon Rabbitt

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Public Schools:

Brandon Rabbitt, the Director of School Nutrition for Watertown Public Schools, has been honored as the top school nutrition director in Massachusetts. The School Nutrition Association of Massachusetts selected Rabbitt as their Massachusetts Director of the Year. In announcing the award, the School Nutrition Association of Massachusetts highlighted Rabbitt’s “leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the world of school nutrition.” He was also lauded for his “dedication to student wellness, [his] ability to lead and inspire [his] team, and [his] efforts to increase accessibility of school meals. “I’m so honored to receive this recognition, but it’s really all about our school nutrition team,” said Rabbitt. “I’m beyond lucky to work with such a hardworking group of people who care deeply about our students.

Environment

Lt. Gov. Recognizes Watertown as Part of Inaugural Group of Climate Leader Communities

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City Council President Mark Sideris speaks with Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll at the Climate Leader Communities event held in Watertown on May 2. (Courtesy of the DOER)

Watertown’s efforts to promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases were recognized by the State on Friday. The Healey-Driscoll Administration held the celebration of the state’s first 19 certified Climate Leader Communities outside the “crown jewel” of Watertown’s green efforts: the net-zero energy high school now being constructed on Columbia Avenue. The Climate Leader Communities program encourages municipalities to lower municipal emissions, maximize the efficiency of buildings and transportation, and slash energy costs. CLC certified communities can apply for grants of up to $1.15 million for projects that reduce municipal emissions.

Sports

Former WHS Player Readying for Her Sixth Year as a College Field Hockey

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Aurise Tattrie will be playing her sixth year of college field hockey at UMass Lowell this fall. (Contributed Photo)

Aurise Tattrie has amassed perhaps the longest college career of any former Watertown field hockey player, as she enters her sixth year playing at UMass Lowell. She will play her final season as a captain of the River Hawks, but the journey has had its ups and downs. In her time in Lowell, Tattrie (who plays back) has appeared in 54 games, made 52 starts, scored one goal and added four assists for 7 total of points. She has played 3,083 minutes for the River Hawks.

Around Town

The Evolution of Watertown Pride 2022 to Today, Celebration Planned for June 1

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The following piece was provided by the Watertown Pride Committee:

In June 2025, Watertown Pride will kick-off its fourth consecutive year of celebrations, fostering unity and diversity in Watertown and beyond. With a parade, festival, and much more planned throughout June, Watertown’s celebration this year would not be possible without the hard work and insights of all those involved in the years prior. In 2022, the staff of the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) wanted to respond to the longing people were feeling for connection, especially as we all were slowly coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and ready to see our neighbors face to face. The city’s LGBT+ community were not immune to these feelings, not only coping with feelings of social isolation, but also facing the unfortunate reality that Boston Pride had been cancelled that year. WFPL is a major catalyst in the community, and part of its mission is to create connection and community through its services, materials, programs and more.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Arrest Boston Man for Trafficking Fentanyl

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Courtesy of the Watertown Police Department. Police arrested a Boston man for allegedly dealing fentanyl in the Watertown. See the announcement from the Watertown Police Department below. On April 22, 2025, Watertown Police, working with the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force, arrested Wilkims Soto-Suazo for selling fentanyl to Watertown residents. Mr. Soto Suazo was arraigned [April 23] at Waltham District Court for Trafficking Class A Fentanyl over 36 grams (44.4 grams located).

Government

Council Update: City Logo Not Going Ahead, Capital Projects Funded, Support for Community Media Bill

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On April 22, 2025, the City Council voted to approve funding for capital projects, heard from the City Manager about the City logo, heard about the re-organization plan, set limits for revolving funds, and supported a bill on Beacon Hill about Community Media Programming. See the highlights of the meeting provided by Municipal Policy Analyst Doug Newton. City Council Newsletter 

Please see below for the city council’s newsletter for its meeting on April 22, 2025. You can view the video recording of the meeting here. President’s Report

The council president informed the council and the public that four visioning sessions have been held discussing what might be needed in designing the middle school which have been very informative.

Police/Fire

Proposal to Add Staff for Second Ambulance Will be Discussed by Council Committee

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The Watertown Fire Department has requested adding enough paramedics to run a second ambulance. Currently, the Fiscal Year 2026 budget does not include the money for the eight paramedics, but the request will be discussed by a City Council committee. On Tuesday, April 29, the City Council’s Committee on Budget & Fiscal Oversight will continue its discussion of the proposal to add eight paramedics. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Third Floor Conference Room in City Hall and will also have remote participation. See the agenda and links here.

Around Town

Water Service Restored After Pipe Break in East Watertown

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Water service was restored to residents of the East End on Tuesday afternoon several hours after a water main break near Coolidge Square. The announcement from the City about the water supply main break went out at about 10:40 a.m. on April 22. The break occurred at Elton and Nichols avenues. Repairs were completed by the Department of Public Works Tuesday afternoon, with the announcement going out at about 3:30 p.m.

The City advised residents that their water may be impacted by the break, including being discolored. “If your water is discolored, it is recommended to run your cold water through a faucet until it clears up,” the announcement from the City said.