Government

City Council Sets its Budget Policy Guidelines for Next Year’s Budget

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The Council’s priorities for next year’s budget have been approved, including supporting the school building projects, improving streets and sidewalks, and a study of Watertown’s Personnel Department. The Budget Priority Guidelines for the Fiscal Year 2023 were approved unanimously at the Nov. 23 Council meeting. The Council’s Budget & Fiscal Oversight Committee reviewed the proposed guidelines submitted by Councilors and voted on which to add to the list of guidelines. Other items were considered were not approved.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Shoplifter Caught With Bag Full of Merchandise, Catalytic Converter Stolen

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

Nov. 16, 1:02 p.m.: Security at Home Depot spotted a man put multiple items into a duffle bag and walk out of the store. Police were given a description and they located a man fitting the description near the parking garage near Home Depot. He had a duffle bag with items from Home Depot.

Sports

Watertown Feasts on Belmont During Shutout Win in the Thanksgiving Game

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown senior Nathan Master celebrates after the Raiders defense stopped Belmont during the Thanksgiving Game. Senior Mason Andrade set the tone for Watertown by pancaking a Belmont blocker on the opening kickoff of the annual Thanksgiving Day football game. The Raiders continued to pound the Marauders all game, emerging with a 25-0 win over their rivals. Watertown improved to 7-4, winning four of their last five games, and snapped a two-game losing streak to Belmont. The game was not played last year.

Government

Council Upset That Property Taxes Will Rise Despite Big Increases in Commercial & Industrial Tax Revenue

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Watertown Assessor Earl Smith had some good news for the City Council Tuesday night that new development has brought in several million in new tax dollars. However, what stood out most was the bad news that he had for homeowners — a property tax increase for Fiscal Year 2022. The new life science developments in Watertown will bring in millions of dollars of new tax revenue for the City but due to the restrictions of the state law regarding shifting the tax burden away from residential properties, the average residential tax bill will rise by $287 or 4.3 percent, Smith said. The total tax levy for the City of Watertown in Fiscal Year 2022 will be $134.4 million, Smith said. The increase would have been more if the Council did not approve an increase in the amount of the Residential Exemption, given to owner-occupied properties.

Government

Council to Decide on Watertown Property Tax Rates at Meeting Tuesday

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Charlie Breitrose

Tuesday night, the City Council will hear the tax rate presentation from the Town Assessor, and recommendations for tax breaks for residential properties and owner-occupied homes. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber in City Hall, 149 Main St. It will also be broadcast on Watertown Cable Access’s Government Channel (Comcast Channel 9, RCN Channel 13, and on wcatv.org). On Tuesday, Chair of the Board of Assessors Earl Smith will present the Fiscal Year 2022 Tax Classification Hearing to the Council. The members of the Council will then decide on the rate, and on ways to ease the burden on residential property owners.

Business

New Restaurant on Arsenal Street Packs Flavors from Around the Globe into Takeout Dishes

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Flavor Boom!Six of the 10 entrees served up at Flavor Boom!, which opened recently on Arsenal Street. A pair of foodies have opened up their own restaurant in Watertown that serves up bold dishes from around the world which are designed to be taken out and enjoyed at home or work. Flavor Boom! began about three months ago in a space in a commercial block on Arsenal Street, and now has a menu with 10 entrees inspired by the cooking of places like China, Spain, Indonesia, France and Thailand. Owner Jim Tao said he came up with about half of the dishes and the others were the creation of his cooking partner Harry Liao, or “Chef Harry.”

Field Hockey

CHAMPS! Watertown Field Hockey Team Wins Overtime Thriller Against Sandwich to Claim Program’s 19th Title

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Charlie BreitroseThe Raiders celebrate after scoring the winning goal in sudden death overtime in the Div. 3 Field Hockey State Final. HANOVER — Patience and hard work paid off for the Watertown High School field hockey team, Saturday. It took more than 77 minutes of play, but the Raiders prevailed 1-0 over Sandwich in the State Final. After a deadlocked hour of regulation play, Watertown and Sandwich went to overtime to decide who was the best team in MIAA Div.

Government

New Councilor Sworn In, Will Serve the Remainder of the Term Representing District D Before Serving Full Term

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Charlie BreitroseEmily Izzo was sworn in as District D Councilor on Thursday night. She will fill the remainder of the term for the vacant seat representing the westside of Watertown before starting her first full term. Westsiders have a Councilor again with newly elected District D Councilor Emily Izzo’s swearing in on Thursday evening. Unlike the other new City Councilors, Izzo will start serving before the start of the new term in January because she is filling a vacant seat. Her predecessor, Ken Woodland, stepped down from the Council in April to take a position with the state that prohibits him from serving on the council.