Government

Council Backs Rules for Short-Term Rentals (Like Airbnb), No Decision on Max Number of Renters

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The Town Council moved forward proposed rules that would apply to short-term rentals — such as those booked through Airbnb or Vrbo — in Watertown, but could not come to an agreement on what the maximum number of guests at a rental would be. On June 22, the Town Council approved proposed changes to the Town’s Zoning Ordinance to allow short-term rentals as an accessory use. The short-term rentals rule will now go to the Planning Board, which will review them and give their recommendation, and then they will come back to the Council for final approval. Under the rules, short-term rentals will be allowed in Watertown, but operators will have to register with the Town and have the units inspected. There will also be community impact fees charged each time a unit is rented, with the funds coming back to the Town.

Elections

LETTER: Watertown Mother, Educator Running for School Committee

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School Committee candidate Jennifer Nicholson, her husband Ryan Nicholson (Assistant Fire Chief on the Watertown Fire Department), and their children. My name is Jennifer (Holt) Nicholson and as a lifelong resident of Watertown, I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for the Watertown School Committee. It would be a tremendous honor for me to serve with pride and give back to the community that has given so much to my entire family. My children, incoming third and first graders at Cunniff, are fourth generation students of Watertown Public Schools. My husband, who is currently Assistant Fire Chief for the Watertown Fire Department, and I both graduated from Watertown High School in 2003.

Around Town

Watertown’s Newest Eagle Scout Celebrated at Ceremony at Lowell School

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Troop 30Eagles with Watertown connections: State Rep. Steve Owens, USMC Private First Class Michael McNamara, Patricio Pino (Watertown’s newest Eagle), Troop 30 Scoutmaster Doug Syer, and Sons of Liberty District Chairman Steve Sookikian, whose childhood scouting experience was Troop 222 at St. Stephen’s Armenian Church. Watertown Troop 30 provided the following announcement:

In a ceremony highlighting the Eagle Scouts with Watertown connections, Troop 30 celebratedcelebrating Patricio Pino, Watertown’s newest Eagle. The event was held at the Lowell School, where Patricio attended grade school. On his way to the rank of Eagle, Patricio chose a service project where he worked with Troop 30and Pack 30 to collect coats for homeless veterans.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Arrested After Stealing Vehicle, Resident Charged After Making False 911 Call

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

None

Incidents

June 14, 12:26 a.m.: Multiple calls were received about a trash barrel on fire at Lowell Elementary School. Officers arrived and found a can on fire on the basketball court at the school. The Watertown Fire Department arrived and put out the flames. No suspect could be found after police searched the area.

Government

Town Manager Announces His Retirement After Nearly 3 Decades

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Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced he will retire after nearly three decades in the position and over 40 years working for the Town. After nearly three decades leading Watertown’s government, Town Manager Michael Driscoll told the Town Council Tuesday night that he soon will be retiring. “On August 18, 1977, I began working for the Town of Watertown at the young age of 24!,” Driscoll said Tuesday. “Tonight, I am announcing my intention to retire as Town Manager the end of January 2022, when I will be 69 which will be 45 years of serving our community, with the last 29 years as Watertown’s Town Manager.” Driscoll said he has recently been contemplating retirement.

Homepage Featured

Shuttle to Start Running Down Pleasant Street After Labor Day

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Watertown TMAA shuttle will start serving Pleasant Street in Watertown in the fall of 2021. Residents of the Westside of Watertown will have a new public transportation option in September when the Pleasant Street Shuttle launches. The shuttle run by the Watertown Transportation Management Association (TMA) will operate along Pleasant Street, then stop in Watertown Square before going to the Red Line subway stop in Harvard Square. The first day of shuttle service will be Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021.

Assistant Principal

Watertown Schools Welcome Two New Assistant Principals, Administrator Who Will Integrate Technology into Learning

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Superintendent Dede Galdston introduced the School Committee to two new assistant principals and an administrator who will focus on using technology in education. The new assistant principals will be working at Watertown Middle School and Lowell Elementary School, while the district also filled the administrative position is known as the Coordinator of Digital Learning and Libraries. The middle school’s new assistant principal, Susan Carle, is returning to the area after working in the Midwest. She has been the assistant principal at Northwest Middle School in Chicago since 2016, Galdston said. Prior to that she was an instructional support leader and resident principal.

Around Town

Shoppers, Vendors Happy to Be Back at Opening Day of Watertown Farmers Market

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Anaïs MarkwoodShoppers returned to the Watertown Farmers Market at Saltonstall Park on June 16. The Watertown Farmers Market opened on Wednesday, June 16, with the white peaks of vendors’ tents once again lining Saltonstall Park. After having restrictions last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the market is now fully open once again, and has introduced a handful of new vendors for the 2021 season. 

Shoppers streamed back and forth around the outdoor market and queues even formed in front of some of the more popular vendors, including the stalls for Clear Flour Bread and Boston Smoked Fish Co. Everyone seemed excited to have the market fully open again, whether they be vendors, shoppers, volunteers, or the market manager, Stephanie Venizelos. 

While Venizelos described the 2020 season as “an exceptional year,” saying that the market actually saw an uptick in business as shoppers worked from home and tried to avoid supermarkets, she is hopeful for another successful year. “We love the park, we love the vendors, so we’re confident that the market will do well again this year,” Venizelos said.