Schools

School Officials Announce Efforts to Stop Racism, Bullying in Schools

By |

School officials said they heard the parents and community members loud and clear at a recent forum held in response to the report by a Watertown Middle School student the she had been racially harassed at school and online. This week, School administration and the School Committee announced some steps they would be taking to stop this from happening again. On Monday, Superintendent Dede Galdston acknowledged that the Watertown Public Schools have much work to do. “I think we share the same goals which include making the Watertown Schools the safest, most welcoming and most inclusive learning environment for all our students and families,” Galdston said. “They and you deserve nothing less.”

Development

Marijuana Dispensary on Pleasant Street Approved by Planning Board

By |

A recreational marijuana dispensary received approval from the Planning Board to open at the mixed-use complex at 330-350 Pleasant St. The Town’s third marijuana dispensary, located in a complex on Pleasant Street that will also have apartments, got approval from the Planning Board Wednesday night. Bud’s Goods & Provisions will be going into part of the retail space at the Water Mills at Bridge Point mixed-use development at 330-350 Pleasant St., near the intersection with Rosedale Road. The dispensary will have adult-use sales, also known as recreational. In July, Bud’s entered into a Community Host Agreement with the Town, which includes paying 3 percent of its gross profits to the Town to offset the impact of the dispensary on Watertown, and a $10,000 charitable donation annually.

Government

Council Joins Effort to Prevent Racial Harassment in Watertown Schools & Beyond

By |

Watertown Town Hall

The Town Council will begin looking at ways to help the Watertown Public Schools address racial harassment and bullying following reports made a middle school student about her experiences at Watertown Middle School. At Tuesday night’s meeting, the Council voted to start discussions about how they could help the Schools with racism issues. Also at the meeting, the Council adopted a proclamation opposing racism and bulling in Watertown. The School Administration and School Committee will take the lead on how to deal with racial harassment, said Town Council President Mark Sideris, who is also a member of the School Committee. Superintendent Dede Galdston announced she will be putting together a a citizens advisory board which will include parents of children who have been harassed, Sideris said.

Bullying

Residents Call for Action to Stop Racial Harassment in Watertown Schools During Forum

By |

The 150-plus people who attended Superintendent Dede Galdston’s forum on racial harassment and bullying last week heard from the girl who brought the issue to the forefront, and other attendees called for action to make sure such incidents do not occur in the future. Galdston scheduled the Dec. 3 forum after a Watertown Middle School student named Lialah spoke to Fox 25 News about her experience of being called the N-word at school and being harassed by classmates on social media and on the phone. Harassment Reports

The 13-year-old spoke during the forum, and said that she does not trust the teachers and administrators at the middle school after she reported her experiences and said no action was taken, and people at the school denied her reports. “Why are people spreading misinformation.

Around Town

Watertown Remembers Pearl Harbor Attack on 79th Anniversary

By |

Trumpeter Alan Mannarino plays Taps during the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony at the Watertown Square Dock. The annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance ceremony in Watertown Square drew a couple dozen attendees on Monday morning, despite COVID-19 social distancing requirements. The ceremony marked the 79th anniversary of the attack that drew the United States into World War II. The Town has a special link to Dec. 7, 1941, Veterans Services Officer Patrick George reminded those on hand, and tuning in on Facebook Live.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Spits in Officer’s Face, False Warrant Scam

By |

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

Nov. 26, 12:46 a.m.: An officer pulled into the 7-Eleven parking lot and saw a car sitting on the side of the building not in a designated parking spot. The officer saw two men in the vehicle and noticed a number of items in the back seat, including what appeared to be the stock of a rifle. The officer asked the driver and passenger to step out of the vehicle, and it was determined the stock was to a BB gun.

Around Town

Watertown Dental Office Becomes a Father and Son Practice

By |

The D’Amicos: Andrew, Chris, Dan and Daniel. Dan started D’Amico Dental Care in Watertown in 1993, and his son Chris joined recently. Daniel will do so, too, after graduating from Tufts Dental School. A Watertown dentist’s office is now a family affair, after the offspring of the founder joined the practice. Dan D’Amico started D’Amico Dental Care in 1993, after working for a father and son dental practice in Revere.

311 Number

Other Town Charters Looked to for Inspiration for Charter Review Committee

By |

Looking for ways to improve the way Watertown’s municipal government works, the Charter Review Committee looked at other cities and towns for new ideas. They also debated mayor vs. town manager, and ways to communicate with residents. Committee members looked for ways to address some of their biggest issues with the way Watertown’s government operates, including transparency, communication with residents and accountability. Specifically, some complained that it is unclear how residents can report a problem and get it addressed.