Police/Fire

Police Arrest Watertown Man Suspected of Distributing Cocaine, Marijuana

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A 28-year-old Watertown man faces charges of possession of drugs with intent to distribute following an investigation by Watertown Police and an area drug task force. Police served a warrant on Garnett J. Miles’ home on Waverley Avenue on March 18 at 9:31 a.m., according to Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. The arrest came after a month-long investigation between the WPD and the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force. “As a result, of the investigation, a search warrant was executed at his residence,” O’Connor said. “Our investigation revealed we had probable cause he was distributing narcotics from his residence.”

Schools

School Building Committee Leans Toward Single Building on Current High School Site

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A rendering of what a two-story modular building could look like (in white) on Moxley Field. It would be the temporary location for Watertown High School while a new school is constructed. Watertown Middle School can be seen behind the modular campus. The School Building Committee told designers that they like the direction they are going with a single building on the current site for the new Watertown High School. That design would require students to go to a swing space during construction, and Moxley Field has been identified as the preferred temporary site.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Fake Explosion Reported, Drunk Men Try to Get in Wrong House

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

March 10, 5:42 a.m.: Watertown Police were contacted by the Suffolk County Probation Department, which had a warrant for a Watertown resident. Police went to his address and the 20-year-old Watertown man was placed under arrest on the warrant for violating the terms of his probation. Incidents

March 8, 9:19 a.m.: An elderly woman said she believes she was scammed by someone who called her two weeks prior. The caller said he could provide a service that would prevent her computer from being hacked.

COVID-19

Watertown Football Team Excited to Kick Off Season After Being Delayed by Pandemic

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Watertown running back David Manoukian and the Raiders kick off the football season on March 20 after being delayed several months by COVID-19. March traditionally is primetime for basketball, but during the COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts it is also time for some high school football. The MIAA delayed the football season from the fall to March, in what has been dubbed “Fall II.” Watertown High School will kick off its season Saturday, March 20 at 11 a.m. against Wakefield at Watertown’s Victory Field. “After 12 months of not having a lot to do, this is a real treat for us and I believe everybody in our program understands that and is treating it as if it’s something special,” said WHS Head Coach John Cacace.

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.