Police/Fire

Police Log: Driver Faces OUI Charge After Hit and Run, Shoplifter Busted

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. July 10: A Pleasant Street resident received emails from Best Buy and Target saying that he had signed up for credit cards from the stores, but he had not opened them. Someone purchased Apple Air iPods from a Target in Massachusetts on the card. The resident was able to cancel the cards and is not sure how someone got his information. July 11: A woman was shopping at Target around 8 p.m. on July 10 and placed her phone in the child seat of a shopping carriage when she went through self checkout.

Around Town

Negotiations Fail to Reach Agreement in Trash Strike

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Watertown DPWWatertown trash and recycling and compost bins. The two sides met Friday to discuss the trash strike impacting more than a dozen other communities, including Watertown, but left without coming to an agreement. The strike began July 1, and replacement crews began collecting trash and recycling in Watertown on July 7. The crews, however, were not able to complete the full day’s run, and this week Watertown hired an outside contractor to assist with pickups. This week, City Manager George Proakis sent a letter to both the Teamsters and Republic asking them to end the strike.

Government

Trash Strike: City Manager’s Letter to Republic & Teamsters, City Won’t Join Legal Action

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Overflowing trash and recycling bins on Main Street during the trash strike. (Photo by Dean Martino)

Watertown will not be joining the six communities seeking legal action against Republic Services for costs incurred from the trash strike. However, City Manger George Proakis sent a letter to Republic and Teamsters Local 25 urging them to get back to the bargaining table and reach a contract agreement. On Friday, the strike reached its 18th day. The two sides met on Tuesday without reaching a deal and the next date has not been announced.

Government

State Rep. Lawn Says “I am Deeply Sorry” After OUI Arrest

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State Rep. John Lawn

Watertown’s John Lawn, State Representative for the westside of Watertown, said “I am deeply sorry,” in a statement following his arrest on Wednesday for driving under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of property damage. Lawn pleaded not guilty at an arraignment in Boston Municipal Court Thursday, and was released on personal recognizance, according to a report by NBC 10 Boston, and will return for a pretrial hearing on Aug. 1. On Wednesday, Lawn sent a statement through his attorney saying, “I deeply regret and take full responsibility for my actions. What happened was completely unacceptable.

Around Town

City Manager Talks About Trash Strike; Contract Negotiations Have Stalled

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Trash bins in Watertown. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

City Manager George Proakis spent more of his vacation than expected talking about trash, the strike, and how to deal with collection while Republic Services and Teamsters Local 25 negotiate a contract. The two sides met Tuesday, the 11th negotiating session, but did not come up with an agreement. In the meantime, Watertown and around a dozen other communities have been trying to make sure trash is collected. Proakis spoke to Watertown News at Tuesday’s grand opening of the renovated Arsenal Park, after returning from his time away from town.

Around Town

2025 Watertown Election Includes Races for City Council, School Committee & Library Trustees

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Candidates pulled papers to challenge for seats on the Watertown City Council, School Committee, and Board of Library Trustees in the 2025 Watertown City Election. At least one incumbent on each of the boards will not be running, and there will be new faces on all three. The City Election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and there will be no preliminary election. Councilor-At-Large John Airasian, will not be seeking reelection.

Police/Fire

Police Officers, Dispatcher Commended for Saving a Worker’s Life

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Watertown Police announced a special recognition for officers and a dispatcher who helped a man who suffered a serious injury after getting his arm caught in a machine. A 911 call was placed on July 9 at about 10:15 a.m. for a serious medical emergency at a business on Grove Street. “The caller, who was highly distraught, reported that a worker’s arm had become caught in a machine, resulting in a severe injury,” said the announcement from Watertown Police. Dispatcher Jessica Scully, “expertly calmed the caller, gathered critical details, and provided life-saving first aid instructions over the phone, including application of a tourniquet,” the announcement said. The Watertown Fire Department and EMS were called to the scene.

Around Town

Planning Board Approves Accessory Unit in Carriage House Under ADU Ordinance

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Types of accessory dwelling units, also called ADUs. (Graphic from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities)

The Watertown Planning Board has decided to conditionally approve a Site Plan Review for a new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) within the carriage house on a property on Hovey Street after a brief meeting on July 9. An ADU, as per the City of Watertown Ordinance Guidelines, is a “self-contained housing unit that includes sleeping, cooking, and sanitary facilities on the same lot as the principal house or apartment building.”

A recent ruling at the state level, part of the Affordable Homes Act of 2024, has allowed the construction of ADUs – which must be under 900 sq. ft. – to be built “by-right” in any single-family zoning districts, though this generally means any district where single-family homes are allowed either by-right or by special permit.