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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrest
Aug. 3, 12:10 p.m.: Target security reported they had seen a man shoplifting, before leaving the mall. Police located a man fitting the suspect’s description at the bus stop near the Watertown Mall. When stopped, the man had three Samsung tablets in an orange bag.
Solar panels are being installed on the roof of the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. They were donated by Peter Glick and Rise Up Solar. The Watertown Boys & Girls Club received a donation of an array of solar panels, which will reduce electricity costs in the short run, and long term will generate revenue for the club. The solar panels were donated by Peter Glick who teamed up with Rise Up Solar, a Cambridge-based company which helps community-based non-profits gain access to solar panels. The Club will reap the environmental and financial rewards.
Watertown residents will see their water and sewer bills increases by more than 8 percent with the approval of the Fiscal Year 2021 water and sewer rates by the Town Council on Tuesday night. The Council voted 8-1 to approve the rates, with Lisa Feltner voting “no.” All the councilors expressed concern and/or disappointment about the rate hike. Some asked for ways to give some relief, or even to create a fund for those who have trouble paying their bills, but nothing emerged from Tuesday’s meeting. Watertown’s Water and Sewer budgets pay for the expenses of running the systems through the money collected from customers.
After hearing from many people worried about having voters coming into a senior apartment building during the 2020 elections, the Town Council voted to move the polling location to Watertown Middle School. A temporary location for Precincts 11 and 12 is needed because the normal voting location, Cunniff Elementary School, is under construction. School construction at Hosmer Elementary School also impacted Precinct 2, which will move to the Hellenic Cultural Center. The locations will be used for the Sept. 1 State Primary and the Nov.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:
Big news for makers: Hatch Makerspace is reopening for appointments next week. Beginning on Monday, August 17, you will have the option to use our sewing machine, vinyl cutter, or laser cutter. Workstations will be cleaned between each use. Review our new safety policies and schedule your appointment here: watertownlib.org/hatchbooking (See more info below)Since we can’t host gatherings at the Library right now, virtual programs continue. We hope to see you online! This week via Zoom, watch and discuss the sci-fi thriller Ex Machina, learn how to assemble wire armature for sculpting, and explore 3D modeling with Fusion 360. A full list of virtual programs for this week is included below.
Watertown residents cast their ballots at Watertown Town Hall in the Massachusetts Presidential Primary. Early voting runs through Friday. The Town Council will discuss proposed changing the locations of three poling places for this fall’s elections on Tuesday. The agenda also includes the vote on the water/sewer rates. Beforehand, a Council subcommittee will discuss proposed changes to the Noise Ordinance.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
None
Incidents
July 28, 8:14 p.m.: A man from Waltham who works at a gas station on Mt. Auburn Street reported getting into a physical altercation with a co-worker. On July 23, he and another man got into an argument about getting in each other’s personal space. The man said he was pushed and fell, then the co-worker punched him in the face and chest.
Lowell School in Watertown. When the school year begins, Watertown Public School students will start off learning from home, but officials have designed a plan to transition back to in-person learning without drastic changes to students’ schedules. Thursday night, the School Committee approved the “Bridge to Hybrid” plan proposed by Superintendent Dede Galdston. Under the plan students will start in remote learning, but Galdston said it will be more structured, and teacher focused than the spring. Meanwhile, the schools will be prepared to welcome back students while complying with COVID-19 heath and safety guidelines.