Cunniff School

Dirt Removal Caused Messy Streets, Increased Cost for School Projects

By |

A view of the design for the new Cunniff Elementary School. The old building has been demolished, and the first parts of the steel for the new school has been delivered. Dirt from excavation getting on the street has been an issue at both Cunniff and Hosmer, in East Watertown. Hundreds of truckloads of soil have been removed from the building sites of the new Hosmer and Cunniff elementary schools, which has caused a bit of a mess on nearby streets and added to the cost of the project. Last week, the School Building Committee received a report on the progress of the projects, and also approved a change order that added nearly $450,000 to the project (but was still within the total project budget).

Police/Fire

Purchase of New Ambulance Approved, Number of Calls Increasing

By |

The Watertown Fire Department will be getting a new ambulance, which will help with the increasing numbers of medical calls to which paramedics respond. On Tuesday night, the Town Council unanimously approved the borrowing of $355,00 to pay for the purchase of a new ambulance. It will be paid off over five years with a total expected cost, including interest, of $402,925. The current ambulance, a 2016 GMC, has about 42,000 miles on it and will be kept as in reserve after the new one is delivered, said Fire Chief Bob Quinn. He said there is a lead time of about 8 months after ordering an ambulance.

Schools

Watertown Among Districts Encouraged by State to Return to In-Person Learning

By |

The Watertown Public Schools welcomed students back Tuesday with classes being taught remotely via computer. On Monday, the Massachusetts education officials sent a letter to Watertown and other districts running virtual classes asking when they will start running in-person classes. The letter, sent by Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Commissioner Jeffrey Riley, asked 16 school districts where the rate of COVID-19 infections are low, to return to in-person learning. Belmont was one of the other districts to receive the letter from the state. State officials said that DESE only recommended remote learning for communities with high risk of COVID-19 infection.

COVID-19

Many Changes in Store for WHS Sports During COVID-19

By |

Watertown High School’s field hockey team, and other sports, will soon start their fall season, but with several changes due to COVID-19. Weekend games, reduced schedules and very limited fans — these are just some of the changes in store for Watertown High School athletes this fall. Last week, the School Committee approved the plans for holding high school sports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most Watertown High School fall sports teams will be getting ready for their season to begin in late September. Outdoor sports, except for football, will compete this fall.

Board of Health

Face Covering Requirement Relaxed by Watertown Board of Health

By |

Watertown had one of the strictest face covering requirements in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, but on Wednesday the Board of Health voted to bring Watertown’s rules in line with those set by Massachusetts officials. The main difference between Watertown’s rules and the state’s was that people over age 5 had to wear face coverings everywhere in public, inside and out, in Watertown. The state guidelines have a face covering requirement when outside only when you cannot stay 6 feet or farther apart. People violating Watertown’s order face a possible fine of $300. Along with changing when face coverings must be worn, the amendment also makes the first violation punishable by a warning, and the second violation could result in a $300 fine.

Schools

Schools Providing Chromebooks for All Students, Support for Families

By |

A screenshot of the Watertown Public Schools Ed Tech help page for families. All students are starting the year remotely, and will use Chromebooks provided by their schools. Watertown students will be attending school remotely to start the year, and will do so on Chromebook laptops loaned to them by the district. To help parents and students navigate the virtual world, School officials have set up a tech information website. Superintendent Dede Galdston told the School Committee Monday that all students in grades 1-12 will receive a Chromebook from their school to use when attending classes remotely, Galdston said.

Police/Fire

Police Investigating Possible Break-In Attempt Caught on Video

By |

On 9/11/20 at approx 8:40 pm, the suspect depicted in the video, attempted to break into a residence on Adams Ave.The suspect ran from the scene leaving behind a backpack with a yellow crowbar. Anyone with information related to this incident or suspect, please contact the WPD pic.twitter.com/Jw4z8Q7bOV— Watertown Police (@WatertownPD) September 15, 2020

A man was caught on a home security camera walking around the backyard of a Watertown home, and appeared to attempt to break into the home, Watertown Police said. Police got a 911 call from an Adams Street resident on Sept. 11 at 8:42 p.m. after being alerted by the home’s Ring camera system, according to Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “Officers responded, but the person had fled,” O’Connor said.