Schools

Watertown Schools See Influx of Students at Elementary, High School Levels

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Charlie BreitroseThe new school building at Cunniff Elementary School, along with the new Hosmer School have seen an increase of enrollment this fall. Watertown High School has also grown. More students arrived at the Watertown Public Schools than expected this fall, requiring the addition of some new classes, teachers and support staff. Superintendent Dede Galdston told the School Committee on Monday that she believes the district’s new schools are part of the draw. The 2022-23 school year is the first that students will spend the whole year in the new Cunniff and Hosmer elementary school buildings.

Comprehensive Plan

Residents Have Two Chances to Help Shape the Future of Watertown

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The first of two opportunities for the public to help shape the future of Watertown takes place Tuesday night at Watertown Middle School. The interactive workshop about Watertown’s Comprehensive Plan Update will be held on Sept. 20, 2022 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Middle School, 68 Waverley Ave. A second meeting will be held on Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library (in the Watertown Savings Bank Room).

Homepage Top Story

Police Log: Apartment Broken Into, 2 Shoplifters Busted

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

None

Incidents

Sept. 6, 6:42 a.m.: A resident of an apartment building on Whites Avenue discovered that items were missing from her wallet. She had been gone most of the day on Sept. 5 and then noticed that her ID, a small amount of cash and two credit cards were gone.

Entertainment

Faire on the Square to Feature New Attractions & Old Favorites

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The 2022 Faire on the Square will have some new entertainment and activities, plus some popular features from previous editions. The Faire on the Square takes place Saturday, Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Saltonstall Park (next to City Hall, 149 Main St.). There will be bands, performers, games, animals, and at least 125 booths where people can find out about local businesses and organizations. Faire Director Dan McCarthy has lined up some new attractions for all ages this year.

Bulk Items

Council’s Public Works Committee to Discuss Changes to Trash & Recycling Program

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Watertown DPWThe City of Watertown’s toters used for curbside composting, recycling and trash. The City’s proposed changes to trash and recycling rules — including fees for disposing of bulk items, appliances, and mattresses — will be discussed by a City Council subcommittee. The subcommittee will also discuss fees charged to developers for new connections to the City’s sewer system. In late August, the Department of Public Works announced the changes, and initially planned to put them into effect on the week of Sept. 12.

City Council

Council Approves Money to Start Process of Purchasing Pond Property

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Leo MartinThe City Council approved a transfer of funds to be used to put a deposit on the purchase of property that includes Walker’s Pond, on the Westside of Watertown. The City will have the money to make a deposit on the purchase of a property that includes a pond on the Westside of Watertown, and a small part of Waltham, after a vote made by the City Council on Tuesday night. The Council approved a transfer of $100,000 from the City Council Reserve to the Acquisition of Land account. The money will be used to go toward the purchase of the 6.67-acre parcel that includes Walker’s Pond. The area would be used for public open space and recreation space, said George Proakis, who attended his first meeting as Watertown’s new City Manager.

Around Town

Watertown Resident Honored for Her Work Expanding Access to the Arts

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Perkins SchoolWatertown’s Kim Charlson recently won an award from the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts for expanding access to the arts for people with a disability. Watertown resident and director of Perkins School for the Blind’s library Kim Charlson received a national award for her work expanding access to the arts for people with disabilities. Recently, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presented Charlson with a Leadership Exchange in Arts & Disability (LEAD) award. The award recognized her work to expand access to the arts for people who are visually impaired. Awards were presented at a ceremony in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Aug.

9/11

Watertown Students Create 9/11 Tribute With Help of Public

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Students from the Watertown Middle School’s Project 351 Team created a tribute to the Massachusetts residents lost on 9/11. A colorful arrangement of rocks sits in front of the Watertown Free Public Library, with each rock representing one of the 206 Massachusetts residents who lost their lives in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The installation was created by a group of Watertown students, who got a hand from the public, said Montserrat Llacuna, a freshman at Watertown High School who led the Middle School’s Project351 Watertown Team to create the tribute. Each of the 206 rocks were painted an have messages of hope, courage and support.