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Firefighters Battled 2 Alarm Fire in Two-Family Home on Sycamore Street

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A fire damaged damaged a two-family home on Sycamore Street Tuesday night. The Watertown Fire Department responded shortly after 7 p.m.

“The fire was reported after downstairs tenants heard the smoke alarms going off upstairs and went out to find smoke coming from the second floor rear,” said Provisional Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. Crews in #Watertown battling a 2 alarm fire. #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/gBYpGHQRsn— Matt Kaminsky (@matty_kam) May 11, 2022

Engine 3 arrived first and began to attack the fire. Deputy Fire Chief Rob Iannetta, the incident commander, called a second alarm shortly after arriving.

City Manager

City Manager Finalists Discuss Police, Libraries and the Senior Center

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During Monday’s City Manager Finalist community forum the three candidates shared their thoughts on a number of items, including hiring the next Police Chief, libraries, and the Senior Center and senior services. The three City Manager finalists are: George Proakis (Executive Director of Somerville’s Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development), Norman Khumalo (Hopkinton Town Manager), and John Curran (Billerica Town Manager). Read more about the Finalists here. Police

One of the first duties of the next Watertown City Manager will be to hire a new Police Chief, with Michael Lawn announcing his retirement effective June 3. Curran hired a new police chief in Billerica in December, and said the qualities he would like to see in the next chief are: “They need to know what Police Reform is, they need to know the (Massachusetts) POST (Peace Officer Standards & Training) Commission, they need to be someone who is of the guardian philosophy, and they need to be also someone up to speed in being able to do community policing and getting out into the community.” 

Curran said he believes in the “guardian philosophy” of policing where police are “here to help you, work with you, and get to know you.” Developing relationships with different groups in town is key, he added.

City Council

City Manager Finalists Discuss Why They Want to Come to Watertown

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Watertown City Hall

The three finalists for Watertown City Manager met with the public, and answered questions on Monday night. They shared some of their philosophies and approach to leadership, as well as why they want to become the City’s chief executive. Each of the finalists, John Curran, Norman Khumalo and George Proakis, spent an hour fielding questions from the public. Proakis, the Executive Director of Somerville’s Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development, has worked in Somerville for 12 years, and before that he worked in Lowell for seven years. He said that Watertown is a unique and excellent place.

Arrests

Police Log: Four Men Arrested on Gun Charge, Former Landlord Clashes with Former Tenant

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

April 25, 1:51 a.m.: An officer patrolling on Warren Street spotted a vehicle stopped diagonally across a lane. The officer looked inside the 2008 Honda Accord and saw a woman asleep behind the wheel with the engine running. Police woke her and officers detected a strong odor of alcohol from her breath. A half-full bottle of tequila was found in the center arm rest of the rear passenger seat.

Around Town

Local Restaurants Delivering Meals to Community Fridge as Part of Nourishing Program

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Watertown Community FridgeThe Watertown Community Fridge is being filled with meals from Watertown restaurants participating in the Charles River Regional Chamber’s Nourishing program. It is located near the church at 80 Mt. Auburn St. The following information was provided by the Charles River Regional Chamber:

Over the past two years our chamber’s food assistance program has purchased more than 15,000 meals from independent restaurants in Newton, Wellesley and Needham and delivered them to families and individuals in need. This morning we’re making our first meal deliveries in Watertown as we expand our Nourishing program yet again.

Bob Quinn

Watertown Fire Chief Retires After Short, but Eventful Tenure

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn retired after 35 years on the WFD, serving the last 4.5 years as chief. Here he is speaking to City Councilor Lisa Feltner at his retirement party at the Watertown Fire Headquarters. Fire Chief Bob Quinn headed into retirement at the end of April having helped modernize the Watertown Fire Department, pushed for increased firefighter safety, and endured the deaths of two close colleagues. On April 29, 35 years to the day after he became a firefighter Quinn retired as Watertown Fire Chief. A celebration was held in the engine bay at Watertown Fire Headquarters, instead of at a hall or restaurant, because Quinn said he wanted to bring back an old tradition.

Government

Zoning Change Allows Businesses to Have Pick-Ups of Items Bought Remotely

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The City of Watertown’s Zoning Map. A Zoning change approved by the City Council will allow customers to drive up to local businesses and pick-up items purchased remotely. The amendment to the Watertown Zoning Ordinance allows businesses to allow the transfer of goods purchased remotely, and they will designate parking spots for these transactions. At the April 26 City Council meeting Council President Mark Sideris summarized what would be allowed with the change. “Basically, they order on the phone or computer, they drive up, tell them you are here, and they come out and give it to you,” Sideris said.

Business

Biotech Companies, Educators Talk About How They Can Collaborate at Life Science Panel

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Natalie Nigito PhotographyKatie Sherburne, human resources manager at Forma Therapeutics speaks during the Life Sciences Panel at Hosmer School. Looking on, from right to left, are: Chris Nasveschuk, senior vice president of chemistry at C4 Therapeutics, Mark Bamforth, CEO of Arranta Bio, Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston, and Watertown K-7 Math and Science Coordinator Elizabeth Kaplan

The life science industry has discovered Watertown, with the city becoming home to a growing number of pharmaceutical, medical and other biotech companies. Recently, representatives from a few of these companies joined Watertown educators at a forum hosted by the Watertown Business Coalition. The event took place at the new Hosmer Elementary School on April 27. The groups spoke about how they collaborate, and opportunities for the future.