Government

Council’s Budget Priorities for FY 2024 Include Watertown Square Study, Rodent Control & 311 System

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Watertown City Hall

The City Council gave City Manager George Proakis its priorities for the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which includes funds for a study of the future of Watertown Square, rodent control, and launching a 311 system. Each year, the Council’s Budget and Fiscal Oversight Committee meets in the fall to discuss the priorities for the next fiscal year’s budget. The results were presented on Nov. 22, and adopted by the full Council. Other items added include staffing to make sure the changes to the Comprehensive Plan are implemented, focusing on snow and ice removal as a possible residential requirement is considered, and implementation of recommendations coming out of plans and studies, including the Personnel Department assessment, the salary study, the Energy and Climate Plan, and the Health and Human Services Study.

Government

Council Approves Tax Rates, Cannot Shift Burden onto Commercial as Much as in Past

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A State law that allows cities and towns to shift the tax rates from residential properties to commercial and industrial properties also stands in the way of providing as much relief to homeowners as the City Council would like. Last week, the City Council adopted the new tax rate with a split tax rate and residential exemption that would increase the average annual tax bill by $309 or 4.4 percent. State Law’s Impact on Watertown Taxes

Proposition 2 1/2, which is known for limiting the overall tax levy increase to 2.5 percent per year, also allows for some relief of up to residential property owners. Watertown City Assessor Earl Smith told the City Council on Nov. 22 that the law also limits how much can be “shifted” onto CIP (commercial, industrial and personal) properties.

Around Town

Runners Take to Streets of Watertown for 17th Annual Donohue’s Turkey Trot

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Charlie BreitroseRunners hit the streets for the 17th annual Donohue’s Turkey Trot on Thursday morning. The tradition continued Thursday morning when hundreds of runners and walkers gathered for the 17th time to hit the streets of Watertown during the Donohue’s Bar & Grill Turkey Trot. The proceeds from the 5K run and walk run and walk go to the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. Charlie BreitroseTurkey Trot competitors jump off the line at the start of the 5K race. The race drew a large crowd on a sunny but crisp Thanksgiving morning when temperatures hovered around freezing.

Sports

See Photos from Watertown’s Victory Over Belmont at Fenway

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Natalie Nigito PhotographyWatertown High School’s football team played on the Boston Red Sox’ home field and defeated Belmont in the 100th edition of the annual rivalry game. Photos by Natalie Nigito and Charlie Breitrose

BOSTON — Watertown defeated Belmont in a special Thanksgiving game played at one of the most storied sporting arenas in America. The Raiders won the 100th game played in the Thanksgiving rivalry, this year played at Fenway Park on Wednesday night. Check out images from the revelry in and around the game. See coverage of the game game by clicking here.

Sports

Watertown Triumphs at Fenway in 100th Game Against Belmont

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown football coach John Cacace holds the trophy aloft after Watertown defeated Belmont in the Thanksgiving game played at Fenway Park. BOSTON — After letting their rivals from Belmont tie the score on the stroke of halftime, Watertown High School’s football team took control of in the second half to win an extra-special Thanksgiving eve game played under the lights at Fenway Park, 21-7. Watertown Head Coach John Cacace said he had a simple message to inspire the team at halftime. “It feels great man, we work all year to finish it up just like this and I’m so happy for our kids, the way we played the second half,” Cacace said. “I challenged them at  halftime to come out tougher and we did, man.”

Government

Property Tax Rates to be Discussed by City Council

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The annual Watertown property tax classification hearing and vote will be held by the City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 22, and taxes look likely to rise in Fiscal Year 2023. City Assessor Earl Smith will present the Tax Classification during the meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. The presentation can be seen by clicking here. The Watertown Board of Assessors recommends adopting the maximum shift from residential properties to CIP (commercial, industrial and personal) properties, which is 150 percent, according to the presentation. Also, the Board recommends that the Council provide a residential exemption of 33 percent, which would be three percentage points higher than Fiscal Year 2022.

Sports

BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPS: Watertown Field Hockey Defeats Sandwich in State Final

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown senior co-captains Lizzie Loftus, foreground, and Maggie Driscoll lift the State Championship trophy after the Raiders beat Sandwich 2-0. NORWELL — The Raiders 2-0 victory over Sandwich on Saturday clinched the Watertown High School field hockey program’s 20th State Championship, and two straight MIAA Div. 3 State Tournament titles. In 2021, the Raiders returned to the top after a four-year drought by winning in double-overtime. This year, the Raiders scored goals in each half to secure the trophy, but the lack of suspense did not mute the celebration.

Sports

Watertown Rolls Past Dover-Sherborn into Field Hockey State Final

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown junior Molly Driscoll celebrates after scoring her fourth goal in the State Semifinal win over Dover-Sherborn. CANTON — Watertown High School’s field hockey team defeated Dover-Sherborn 6-0 Wednesday night to set up a rematch in the MIAA Div. 3 State Final on Saturday. The top-seeded Raiders held a 2-0 lead over fourth-seeded Dover-Sherborn at halftime after goals by junior Molly Driscoll in the first quarter and sophomore Caroline Andrade in the second. Watertown came out in the second half going at 100 miles per hour.