Schools

Several Positions Would be Added in Watertown School’s “Level Service” Budget

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The Watertown School schools have a little over $100,000 left in next year’s budget after preserving the current staffing and programs, the School Committee heard last week. Director of Finance and Operations Heidi Perkins presented the level-service budget last week, which would be $53.75 million including a 3.5 percent increase in funding from the Town. That amount does not include other funds such as state special education circuit breaker money, which will add about half of the increase that makes the total budget $57 million. While the budget will go up by about $1.8 million, Perkins said that only six percent of that will be available for new proposals. The level-service budget, however, does include some new positions.

Around Town

Three COVID-19 Deaths in Watertown, Number of Cases Declining

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Watertown’s COVID-19 cases continued to drop this week, but the Town saw three more COVID-19 deaths. The fatalities, reported by the Watertown Health Department in the Town Manager’s weekly COVID-19 message, were the first for the Town since the first week of 2021. Watertown had 133 cases reported over the previous 14 days in the Mass. Department of Public Health report of Feb. 11, 2021.

Arrests

Police Log: Attempted Home Break-in, Man Arrested After Shoplifting Spree

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

Feb. 3, 7:35 p.m.: A shoplifting in-progress was reported by Target security., While police were on the way to the store they received information that the suspect had fled the store. Officers located a man fitting the suspect’s description on Arsenal Street just outside the Watertown Mall. The suspect immediately said, “I am sorry for taking the items. I will give them back.”

Around Town

District Attorney Investigating Reports of Elder Abuse, Neglect at Watertown Facility

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A Watertown long-term facility is being investigated after reports of elder abuse and neglect surfaced. Vero Health & Rehab, also called the Watertown Health Center, is the focus of an investigation by the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office after Watertown Police responded to reports of abuse of residents at the facility on Coolidge Hill Road, according to a report by WBZ Channel 4 investigation. WBZ found reports of residents who were bruised and suffered cuts, firefighters finding a man on the floor injured and asking for help, and a patient’s ventilator not working. Hundreds of 911 calls were made from the facility in the last couple years, including some from patients. State officials found the facility was deficient in COVID-19 infection control, according to the story, and Medicare surveys rated the overall quality of care he below average.

Schools

Watertown School Officials Stand Behind Decision to Delay Start of Hybrid After Release of State Audit

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Watertown School officials stood by their decision to delay the start of in-person learning, citing COVID-19 safety concerns, after the release of the district’s audit by state education officials. Watertown was one of two districts audited in October 2020. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) commissioner sent a letter saying the Town’s COVID-19 rates were low enough that Watertown should start the school year with in-person learning, at least part-time. The Audit report largely summarized the findings of state education officials’ interviews with district officials, and the materials submitted by Watertown officials to DESE. (See the report by clicking here).

Around Town

Health Department Getting More Vaccine, Free COVID-19 Testing Continues

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Town officials gave a big “shout out” to the members of the Watertown Health Department for all the work they have done during the pandemic, including the recent free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. This week, the first members of the general public, age 75 and older, got the vaccine from the Health Department, and Town Manager Michael Driscoll said more vaccinations will be done next week. The Town will also continue to offer free COVID-19 testing through the end of February. Town Council President Mark Sideris took time during Tuesday’s Town Council meeting to thank the Health Department. “I wanted to give a shout out to our Health Department, which has gone above and beyond for just about a year to make this community as safe as possible during the pandemic,” Sideris said.

Arrest

Police Catch Man Breaking into Watertown Church

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An alert resident helped police catch a man who had broken into an East Watertown church. The Watertown Police received a call on Feb. 6 just before midnight about a person banging on a door at the Greek Orthodox Church/Hellenic Cultural Center on Bigelow Avenue, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “When we arrived, officers observed a glass door on the Bigelow Avenue side of the building completely shattered,” O’Connor said. “As officers approached the shattered door they heard noises from inside the building.

Schools

Watertown Schools Begin Anti-Racism Training, Looking to Hire Equity Director

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Watertown School leaders have begun equity and anti-racism training, and more staff members will soon be working with the group hired after the reports of racial harassment in the Watertown Schools went public. School leadership recently went through a two hour training on becoming a culturally proficient leader, which is part of a 10-hour course, said Superintendent Dede Galdston. On Monday, Galston introduced Dr. Kalise Wornum of KW Diversity, which is conducting the training and working with the district on related issues, at the School Committee meeting. She also updated the committee on efforts to hire someone for the newly created Director of Equity and Inclusion position. Wornun has been working with schools on these issues with colleges and public schools for three decades.