Around Town

Watertown Police Officers Cook Up, Serve St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast to Homeless Veterans

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Watertown Police officers Keith Parent (front), Kyle Rooney, Frank Forde and Mike Martino work with a member of the New England Center and Home for Veterans to serve breakfast on St. Patrick’s Day. The effort was spearheaded by Forde. More than a dozen Watertown police officers and firefighters gathered early on the morning of St. Patrick’s Day at the Sons of Italy Hall to prepare a traditional Irish breakfast for 200 people at the New England Center and Home for Veterans.

Charter Review

Vote on Whether Watertown Should Have a Mayor or Town Manager Coming Soon, Committee Wants Public’s Input

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The committee looking at Watertown’s Town Charter, like the town’s constitution, will soon be making a vote on whether the Town government should continue with an appointed Town Manger as the chief executive, or whether it should have an elected Mayor. The Charter Review Committee announced Wednesday that it will take a vote at the April 6 meeting which will be hold remotely on Zoom beginning at 6 p.m.

The Committee seeks input from Watertown residents about which alternative they prefer, and people will have a chance to ask question and give their input during the April 6 meeting. The Charter Review Committee sent out the following announcement on Wednesday:

The Watertown Charter Review Committee Is Asking: Do You Want A Mayor or A Town Manager? Background:

Watertown’s Home Rule Charter (The Charter) is our “constitution.” The Charter establishes the framework for how our government operates: the form of government, its structure, functions, and processes, how public officials are elected, how the budget is developed, and the role citizens play in local government.

Around Town

Fallen Watertown Firefighter Remembered on Fourth Anniversary of His Death

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Members of the Watertown Fire Department salute their fallen colleague, Joe Toscano, on the fourth anniversary of his death at a fire on Merrifield Avenue. The Watertown Fire Department came out in force to honor a colleague lost while fighting a fire in the East End four years ago. Firefighters and the family of Joe Toscano gathered on Bigelow Avenue, at the square dedicated to his memory. The sign bearing his name sits just down Merrifield Avenue from the home where the fire took place. Fire Chief Bob Quinn hung a wreath from the pole holding the sign marking Firefighter Joseph A. Toscano Square during the cermony.

Government

Conversation Begins About Current Watertown Police Services & Proposed Reforms, New Programs

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Watertown Police Station

During a wide ranging meeting about policing in Watertown, the Watertown Police discussed what they do including community police efforts and training, resident groups brought up concerns and proposed new initiatives and reallocation of part of the Police budget, and there was much discussion about statistics. The Town Council’s Public Safety Committee met Friday afternoon. Town Council President Mark Sideris made the referral to have the meeting after hearing from resident groups who were concerned following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last spring. During Friday’s meeting, Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn gave an overview of what the Watertown Police Department does during the year, including statistics, community programs they participate in, and trainings provided to officers. He also discussed the upcoming changes the department will have to make as a result of the passage of the State’s Police Reform Law.

Environment

Public Can Comment on Proposed Removal of Contaminated Soil from Arsenal on the Charles

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The oval with blue stripes is the location of the contaminated soil at the east end of Building 311 in the Arsenal on the Charles. The U.S. Army has come up with a plan to remove contaminated soil from the former military site, which is now the Arsenal on the Charles. The public can submit comment on the proposed plan until April 14, 2021. The area where the contaminated soil is located is by 311 building on the Arsenal on the Charles site. Building 311, the long building along Arsenal Street, is home to Athenahealth, and used to be home to Boston Sports Club.

Arrests

Police Log: Employee Steals Copper Fittings, String of Car Break-Ins

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

March 5:36 p.m.: An officer on patrolling on Main Street spotted a man going into the Dunkin’ Donuts who was known to be wanted on an arrest warrant. As the suspect came out, the officer told him about the warrant and placed him under arrest. The 19-year old Watertown man was arrested on the warrant from Waltham District Court for assault and battery. 

Incidents

March 1, 2:14 p.m.: An employee at Jomar Distributors on Pleasant Street was suspected of stealing merchandise. Police were contacted by an employee who spotted the suspect on security video taking a full box of copper fittings and copper coils from the stock room, put them in a box and cover the items with a sweatshirt.

Police/Fire

See Photos from the 2 Rallies Near the Watertown Police Station

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The sun sets as crowds disperse after the two rallies Thursday in front of the Watertown Police Station. Hundreds of supporters from two groups gathered on either side of Main Street in dueling rallies in front of the Watertown Police Station on Thursday afternoon. The pro-police supporters outnumbered those supporting the teacher who showed the controversial video at Watertown Middle School. Supporters of the Watertown Police waved flags and held signs on Thursday afternoon. Many came to support the Watertown Police, in a “Back the Blue” rally following the showing an anti-police video at Watertown Middle School.

Government

Plan to Add Bike Lane to Section of Waverley Ave. Approved by Council

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An illustration of the new bike lanes on the uphill part of Waverley Avenue between Orchard and Belmont streets. Bike lanes will be added on the uphill parts of the section of Waverley Avenue near Orchard Street, in a plan that will also add curbing and planting strips along the roadway. The Town Council approved the renovation of the section of the roadway running between Orchard and Belmont streets at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting. The option was chosen over another that would have had cyclists share the roadway with motor vehicles and would have preserved more on-street parking. Both options studied by the Department of Public Works would have met the Town’s Complete Streets goal, which calls for Watertown’s roadways to be designed for a variety of transportation options, including motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and public transportation.