Around Town

Group Seeks to Create Cultural District in Town, Likely in Watertown Square

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Watertown Square could become part of the City’s proposed cultural district. The center of Watertown may become a cultural district, which would allow the area’s arts and culture groups, restaurants and businesses to be promoted as a destination for people in and around the city, and even for tourists. Receiving approval to be a cultural district is a multi-step application process, concluding with approval by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, said Liz Helfer, the City’s Public Arts & Culture Planner. The application must include a partnership of representatives from arts and culture institutions, artists, and someone from the City. Helfer is part of the group putting together the proposal for the Cultural District.

Police/Fire

Man Faces Charges After Stabbing Dog That Attacked His Dog

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A Watertown man faces criminal charges after he allegedly stabbed a dog that was attacking his dog and would not release it. On Feb. 13, just before 6:30 p.m., police received a report of a fight between two dogs at Filippello Park. When they arrived the two owners, one who had a dog about 20-25 pounds in size, and the other had two dogs that were 40-50 pounds each. The men had been walking along a path in the park when the altercation happened, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor.

Around Town

Watertown Resident Running First Marathon for Boston Children’s Hospital

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Watertown’s Stephanie Barker will be running her first Boston Marathon in 2023, and is raising money for Boston Children’s Hospital. Watertown’s Stephanie Barker will be running her first Boston Marathon in 2023, and will be raising money for a cause that helped her when she was young. Barker Raised more than $10,000 for Boston Children’s Hospital. If not for their services, she may not be running the marathon, at all. “I was born with hip displacement — they weren’t in the sockets when I was born,” Barker said.

Around Town

Former Town Manager Michael Driscoll Remembered for His Love of His Family, and His Community

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Charlie BreitroseThe program from the Memorial Mass for former Town Manager Michael Driscoll. Make your way around Watertown and it will be difficult not to go past something that former Town Manager Michael Driscoll had a hand in building or creating. In his 29 years at the helm of the municipal government, he played a part in the construction of net zero schools, building police and fire stations, expanding the library, and creating new parks. Judging from the people who knew him best, however, the things that he treasured most were the friendships and relationships he built during that time. On Friday, family, friends, colleagues, and many Watertown residents gathered at St.

Sports

WHS Sports: Heartbreaking End for Girls Track, Girls Hoops Looking for Home Tourney Game

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Charlie BreitroseSophomore Elsa Ryan raced in the 600 meters and was part of the 4 x 800 relay. BOSTON — Celebration turned to consternation for Watertown High School’s girls track team on Thursday night. The 4 x 800 relay team crossed the line in second place at the MIAA Div. 5 Indoor Track Championships, but minutes later the Raiders were informed they had been disqualified. Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown girls 4 x 800 relay team celebrates after finishing second at the MIAA Div.

Around Town

Comprehensive Plan Update Includes Focus on Improving Watertown Square

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Watertown Square

When Watertown Business Coalition Co-President Bob Airasian mentioned that a city square or town center usually being “a place where people like to go,” it was greeted with a chuckle by many at a gathering this week. “It shouldn’t be a place that you are trying to avoid,” Airasian continued, “and when you are running a business in a place like that, I’m not an economist but, that can’t be good for business.” City officials want to change that, and will soon kick off a process to plan for the future of the area, and the entire City. During the WBC’s coffee connect, Watertown Planner Larry Field talked about the updating of Watertown’s Comprehensive Plan. New City Manager George Proakis said at Tuesday’s City Council meeting that he has made no secret that he wants to make adopting the new document a priority of his first few months on the job.

Government

City Manager Gives Outlook on Watertown’s Budget, Philosophy on Contract Negotiations

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Watertown City Manager George Proakis. This week, School officials announced an agreement on the Watertown teachers’ contract, but even when that is signed Watertown has six unions on the municipal side yet to be settled. This week, the City Manager revealed his philosophy when approaching these negotiations and how the City budget could impact the talks. He released a memo to the City Council outlining the contracts and the Watertown budget at Tuesday’s Council meeting. While making the budget, Proakis said he and his team are following the Council’s budget priorities, which include creating walkable neighborhoods and small business programs, improving infrastructure, using green vehicles, and upgrading parks and playgrounds.