Election 2022

Challenger Critical of Longtime Governor’s Councilor in State Primary Race

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WCA-TV

For more than two decades Watertown’s Marilyn Petitto Devaney has served as the Governor’s Councilor for District 3, but in 2022 she faces an opponent in the Democratic Primary, Mara Dolan, who questions her voting record on judges and her relationship with other members of the Council. The Governor’s Council, also known as the Executive Council, votes on the Governor’s nominations for judges in all levels of state courts, clerk magistrates, as well as members of other state boards, including the Parole Board, the Appellate Tax Board, and the Industrial Accident and Industrial Accident Reviewing boards. They also vote on the Governor’s proposed pardons and commutations of prisoners, as well as, the warrants for the State Treasury. The candidates debated each other Monday night on Watertown Cable Access TV, and covered a range of topics, including a recent Boston Globe article that focused on Devaney’s relationship with the other members of the Council and a vote to approve a judge who refused to publicly reveal her stance on abortion rights. Candidates

Devaney pointed to her record as an independent voice on the Governor’s Council who often went against the others, and cited some reforms she has spearheaded including continuing to broadcast meetings on YouTube after the pandemic restrictions ended and prohibiting contributions by nominees to members of the Governor’s Council.

Around Town

Developers Submit Proposed Project for Sterritt Lumber Site

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Nordblom CompanyAn illustration of the proposed life science building for 148 Waltham St., the former Sterritt Lumber site. Developers have submitted plans for a lab building to be built on the former Sterritt Lumber site on the Westside of Watertown. On Aug. 8, the Nordblom Company filed for a special permit with site plan review by the City of Watertown on behalf of the owners, Watertown Owner LLC to construct an office lab/R&D (research and development) building at 148 Waltham Street. The project is the second proposal for the former Sterritt Lumber site, near Bemis Park, in West Watertown.

College Sports

Watertown’s Sydney Poulin Represents Endicott for NCAA Woman of the Year

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David Le / Endicott CollegeWatertown’s Sydney Poulin was named as Endicott College’s nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year. The following information came from Endicott College Athletics:

Endicott field hockey student-athlete Sydney Poulin ’22, of Watertown, has been chosen as Endicott College’s NCAA Woman of the Year Nominee. The NCAA Woman of the Year program was established in 1991 and honors the academic achievements, athletics excellence, community service, and leadership of graduating female college student-athletes from all three divisions. To be eligible, a nominee must have competed and earned a varsity letter in an NCAA-sponsored sport and must have earned her undergraduate degree by Summer 2022. Poulin, Eliza Timms from Salve Regina, and Erica Dimmick from the University of New England were eligible to be selected as the Commonwealth Coast Conference’s (CCC) nominee by the league’s Senior Woman Administrators.

Alexandria Real Estate

Roadwork on Mt. Auburn & Arsenal Streets Could Overlap

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Two of Watertown’s major roadways in the eastern part of town are scheduled to be undergoing roadwork at the same time. On Aug. 9, the City Council approved funds to replace water mains on Mt. Auburn Street, and also accepted easements provided by properties on Arsenal Street to allow for improvements along the sidewalks. Some of the work will occur simultaneously, which concerned some Councilors, including Tony Palomba.

Andrea's House of Pizza

Watertown Pizza Place Closing After Four Decades

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Andrea’s House of Pizza will be closing. A favorite spot for Watertown pizza lovers will be closing after 40 years serving local diners. Andrea’s House of Pizza in Coolidge Square will be closing this week, said Alex Taoultsides, who co-owns Andrea’s with his father Stratos. “Our last day is August 19th,” he said. “After 40 years it’s time to retire.”

Government

Council Asking Legislature to Allow Residential Property Tax Relief

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Wikimedia Commons / ChensiyuanMassachusetts State House. City officials requested that the State Legislature give Watertown an exception to a state law that would give residential property owners a break on their taxes. For years Watertown has shifted the burden of property taxes from residents to commercial, industrial and personal property taxpayers. The City Council has voted for the maximum shift of 175 percent. State law, however says that the total portion of the residential tax cannot be below the higher of 50 percent of the tax levy or the lowest percentage of the tax levy made up by residential property tax since the the City created tax classifications for different types of properties.

Around Town

Police Log: Driver Tries to Flee After Striking Truck in Parking Lot, String of Catalytic Converter Thefts

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

Aug. 1, 11:50 p.m.: A driver backed his 1998 Toyota van into a commercial truck parked in the lot for Dunkin’ Donuts at 49 Mt. Auburn St. Then the driver tried to leave the parking lot heading the wrong direction, but several customers stood in front of the vehicle to prevent it from leaving.