Charter Review

Charter Review: Town Manager Won’t Have to Live in Town, New Communication Requirements Proposed

By |

Watertown’s Town Manager would no longer be required to live in town if voters approve the recommended change approved by the Charter Review Committee. The group, which is reviewing the document which defines how the Town’s government works, also approved recommended new requirements for the Town Manager related to communicating with the public. At the June 1 meeting, the Charter Review Committee tackled a number of sections of the Town Charter related to the Executive branch. In Watertown, the executive is the Town Manager. Discussion some other items impacting the Town Manager were not completed and will be discussed at future meetings.

Election 2021

LETTER: Candidate Declares Her Run for Watertown School Committee

By |

Rachel Kay is running for Watertown School Committee. The following announcement was provided by Rachel Kay:

Over the past year, we have all experienced great challenges. Those of us caring for school-aged children have watched them struggle with isolation, academic losses and for too many students even harm to their mental health and well-being. As I have watched Watertown Public Schools grapple with the difficult decisions they had to make this year, I have felt obligated to advocate for the needs of all our children, as well as for working families. I learned that I have a unique perspective to share, and that I will add to discussions including the critical challenge our schools now face in overcoming the educational debt our students have sustained over what was for some of them a lost year.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Arrested for Taking Part in Scam of Grandmother, Bikes Stolen from Movie Theater

By |

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

May 26 , 11:33 a.m.: Police received a call from a UPS employee about a suspicious situation with a package. The package was suspected to be involved in an incident in which an 85-year-old Florida woman had been scammed by someone saying her granddaughter needed to be bailed out of jail because she was involved in a drunk driving accident that killed a child. The woman’s granddaughter had not been arrested and heard her grandmother talking to the scammer, who had asked her to send $1,000 in cash to an address in Massachusetts. The package was one of 12 containing a total of $150,000 sent between May 6 to 25.

Schools

Watertown High School Class of 2021 Celebrates Graduation After a Very Challenging Year

By |

Charlie BreitroseA Watertown High School senior celebrates after receiving his diploma at the 2021 graduation ceremony. A celebration for the 2021 Watertown High School senior class was a long time coming, having endured the COVID-19 pandemic, remote learning and wearing masks in class. The grads had to wait an extra day due to weather concerns, but the delay did not dampen their spirits during Saturday morning’s graduation ceremony at Victory Field. WHS Class of 2021 Valedictorian Caiden Kiani, who also served as senior class president, said he has seen a lot of what goes on behind the scenes to make WHS run. He thanked a variety of people, including administrators, parents, counselors and others, but wanted to give some special thanks: the nursing staff, “who have helped us feel safe during the pandemic,” and the custodial staff, “who has worked extra hard to keep every room COVID free.”

Fire Award

Watertown Resident Receives Award for Bravery During a House Fire

By |

Watertown Fire DepartmentTeflon Donovan, center, receive the Medal of Commendation from Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn, left, and Watertown Fire Capt. Eric Allen, right, for saving a life during a house fire in April. The Watertown Fire Department awarded a resident for his quick action and bravery which prevented another resident from being harmed in a fire in April. On April 13, Teflon Donovan was sleeping in his home on Swetts Court when he awoke to the smell of smoke and the sound of a smoke alarm. He got up to investigate where the smoke was coming from. Donovan thought it was from the stove, but when it checked he found that was not the source.

Homepage Featured

Watertown High School Design Approved, Will Use Moxley Field for Temporary Location

By |

Ai3 ArchitectsA rendering of what the new Watertown High School could look like. The view is from Common Street. {Updated June 4, 2021 at 9 a.m. The name of the temporary high school was corrected to the PFC Richard Moxley Watertown High School.}

The proposal to build a new high school on the current Watertown High School location was approved Wednesday night, along with using Moxley Field as the temporary site for WHS during construction. School Building Committee members also supported naming the temporary campus for the Marine for whom the field is dedicated. The Committee unanimously approved what is called plan 1H, which would create a single school building on the property between Common and Columbia streets.

Around Town

DCR Closing Little Greenough to Traffic Through End of November

By |

A stretch of roadway along the Charles River, known as Little Greenough, has been closed to traffic by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the closure will run through late November. The DCR closed the area last year during the Pandemic to make the stretch of Greenough Boulevard from Arsenal Street to North Beacon Street available for recreational uses, such as walking, biking, and rollerblading. Once again in 2021, the roadway was closed beginning April 10, according to the DCR’s notice. Cones block off the mouth of the roadway on either end and orange barrels have been placed on on North Beacon Street westbound to stop vehicles from using the right-turn-only lane. The Town Council had endorsed a request made by the Watertown Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee to close the roadway again in 2021.

Boston Marathon Bombing

Hero’s Ending: Watertown Police Sergeant Who Helped Capture Boston Marathon Bombers Retires

By |

Charlie BreitroseWatertown Police Sgt. Jeff Pugliese is interviewed along with FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard DesLauriers at the press conference for the 2016 movie “Patriots Day.” The final day of May 2021 also marked the final day in a long career for one of the heroes of the Watertown Police Department who faced off with the Boston Marathon Bombers. Sgt. Jeff Pugliese worked his final shift on Memorial Day, and received congratulations from family, friends and fellow officers at the Watertown Police Station.