Government

Town Council Moves Toward Creating Trust to Buy, Build More Affordable Housing in Watertown

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Watertown Town Hall

Watertown took a major step this week toward creating more affordable housing by starting the effort to create an affordable housing trust and looking into charging fees to new developments that would go toward affordable housing. Tuesday night, the Town Council voted unanimously to move forward with writing an ordinance that would create the Watertown Affordable Housing Trust, and would dissolve the Watertown Housing Partnership. The Council also approved a study of creating linkage fees for new commercial developments for affordable housing. The Trust would work to create and preserve housing for low- and moderate-income households. Among its powers the Trust would be able to receive properties as donations or gifts, and to buy and sell property.

Around Town

Three New Restaurants Opening in Watertown, One Changing Management

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Flavor Boom!Some of the dishes served up at Flavor Boom!, a new restaurant on Arsenal Street. The restaurant scene in Watertown is brimming with life, with the addition of three restaurants. Plus, an established eatery is changing hands. The three independent restaurants are on or near Arsenal Street, one features barbecue, another serves Central American and Mexican dishes, and a third has a variety of flavorful dishes from around the globe. Flavor Boom!

Schools

Council Approves $5 Million to “Bridge” Watertown High School Project Before Start of Construction

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Ai3 ArchitectsA mockup of what the main entrance to the new Watertown High School could look like from a presentation designers made to the School Building Committee in September 2021. As the new Watertown High School continues to be designed, the Town Council approved $5.2 million to bridge the gap before the final approval of funding is given by the state and to keep construction on schedule. The money will help pay for the design of the swing spaces that will be used while the school is under construction, as well as to cover the increased amount of time that it took to come up with the final design, Christy Murphy of Compass Project Management told the Council Tuesday night. The money to cover the $5.2 million came out of the Watertown High School Stabilization Fund, said Town Manager Michael Driscoll said. The Council voted 8-0 to support the use of the funds.

Schools

Watertown School Officials Want Input on How to Spend Millions in Pandemic Relief Funds

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The Watertown Public Schools will get close to $3 million to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and School officials want to hear from the community about what sorts of things they would like to see the money spent on. As part of the federal American Rescue Plan, the Watertown Public Schools received an allocation of $2,868,929 which can be spent through June 2024. It is part of the third pandemic relief package for schools, known as Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III or ESSER III. The money can be spent to support safe reopening of schools and sustaining safe schools, as well as helping students with their academic, social, emotional and mental health needs. Superintendent Dede Galdston said that the grant application for ESSER III requires feedback from residents.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Faces OUI Charge After Rolling Vehicle, Car Stolen from Auto Shop

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

Sept. 16, 10:54 p.m.: A member of the public reported seeing a person sleeping in their vehicle on Arlington Street near Arsenal Street. When police arrived they found a man in a black Lexus sedan who was asleep at the wheel with the vehicle in drive and his foot on the brake. The car was stopped in the travel lane.

Around Town

See Photos of the Fun and Games at the 2021 Watertown Faire on the Square

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Charlie BreitroseThe Faire on the Square returned to Saltonstall Park in 2021, with all the fun and games. Saltonstall Park came to life Saturday with the return of the Faire on the Square. After a year off due to the pandemic, the annual celebration returned to Watertown in 2021. Jennifer KavanaughMany of the dozens of candidates running for office in Watertown this fall had booths at the Faire. A variety of bands performed on the Main Stage.

Homepage Featured

Watertown Field Hockey Working on the Basics With Hopes it Will Pay Off at the End of the Season

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s Molly Driscoll fights for the ball against Melrose at Victory Field on Thursday. She had an assist in the win. Watertown High School’s field hockey team has jumped out to a hot start, winning their first four games without allowing a goal, but the team is not satisfied and looks for ways to improve their performance. Thursday, Watertown defeated Melrose 7-0, led by a hat trick by Aislin Devaney. Four others scored goals: Taylor Lambo, Lizzie Loftus, Maggie Driscoll and Rachel Egan, and assists were added by Ally Fujix, Maggie Driscoll (2), Loftus (2), Molly Driscoll and Egan.

Homepage Featured

Watertown Police Department Receives Accreditation from State Commission

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The Watertown Police Department was accredited by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission. The Watertown Police Department received word that it successfully completed the re-accreditation process with the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission, during which it had to show it follows professional standards. The program is a voluntary one, in which police departments “strive to meet and maintain standards that have been established for the profession by the profession,” according to the Commission. MPAC Executive Director Rick J. Rathburn commended the Watertown Police for its accomplishment in a letter to Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn. “This prestigious status has been awarded for another three-year period ending September 2024,” Rathburn wrote.