Police/Fire

Police Log: Electric Bicycle Stolen, Counterfeit Bill Used

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

May 18, 5:57 p.m.: Officers patrolling on Arsenal Street near Greenough Boulevard spotted a man they knew to have a warrant for his arrest. Michael Halner, 40, of Watertown, was placed under arrest on the warrant out of Waltham District Court for two counts of threats to commit a crime. 

May 19, 3:18 p.m.: A shoplifter at Target left the store. Store security gave Police a description and officers located him at a bus stop on Arsenal Street. The man walked past the registers with a large tote bag which made a clanking sound as he walked.

Entertainment

Watertown Resident Took to the Boston Calling Stage Saturday

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Noah Kahan performed at Boston Calling on Saturday. His music is inspired by his home state of Vermont, but now resides in Watertown. (Photo courtesy of NoahKahan.com)

Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan took the biggest stage at the premier music festival in New England — Boston Calling — on Saturday night. He grew up in a small town in Vermont, but the 26-year-old now calls Watertown home. Kahan’s meteoric rise was aided by a viral song about his home state, “Stick Season.”

Schools

First Richard Marcus Scholarships Awarded to 2 Watertown Students

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Richard Marcus

The following letter was provided by the The Richard Marcus Scholarship Committee:

Dear Editor,

We, the Scholarship Committee, congratulate the recipients of The Richard Marcus Scholarship.  Richard Marcus was a local political activist. He was a real estate agent who, with his wife, Mary, raised their four children in town. 

Born in Boston, Richard’s parents came to America from Austria and Germany as World War II refugees. He never forgot what the United States of America did for his family and wanted to ensure that its greatness was shared by all. 

He made his first foray into community improvement through the schools. He worked with other parents to improve the education for their children with learning disabilities. Today, Watertown children with ADHD, dyslexia, autism and other learning challenges continue to benefit from this work. He supported several progressive causes, including Progressive Mass and criminal justice reform, and several progressive candidates. Through this work, he also mentored a future state senator and state representatives. Richard unexpectedly passed away on April 24, 2019. He left behind many friends, a strong community of like-minded individuals, and a grieving family who loved him tremendously. This scholarship was created to honor his legacy. On May 25th, Zuhayr Masud and Thandiwe Baker were each awarded $2,500. Zuhayr submitted a powerful essay. He has strived to overcome challenges, and continues to succeed. He will attend Wesleyan University in the fall and has several academic interests. In addition to being self-employed, he is the class president, belongs to various school clubs and activities, advocated for Watertown teachers during their strike, worked on the state’s Fair Share Amendment campaign, and led the effort to make prom tickets more affordable in order to make Prom more accessible.  Zuhayr walks the walk when it comes to equity, commitment and community.

Police/Fire

Knife Wielding Man Tried to Rob Watertown Massage Spa, Resembles Suspect in Similar Incident

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Images of the suspect or suspects in armed robberies of massage businesses in Watertown, on the left, and Cambridge on the right. Police said it could be the same man. (Photos courtesy of the Watertown Police Department). On May 16, a man came into a Watertown massage spa carrying a knife and demanded money from an employee. Watertown Police said the suspect resembles a man wanted for robbing a massage business in Cambridge.

Government

Council Denies Zoning Change for Property with Church Near Belmont St.

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A Google Earth image of the former Belmont Baptist Church. Developers sought a zoning change to allow for the building to be preserved and to develop other parts of the property. A majority of the City Council could not be convinced that the zoning should be changed for a parcel with a former church on Templeton Parkway. The change would have protected the building from being torn down, but also could allow a range of uses from education to restaurant or commercial, as well as housing. The proposal to create a Religious/School Building Overlay District at 126-134 Templeton Parkway, a property next to Belmont Street that includes the former Belmont Baptist Church building.

Around Town

Former Recreation Director Tom Sullivan Has Left His Mark on Watertown’s Parks and Youth

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Charlie BreitroseRecreation Department staff current and past: (from left) current Director Peter Centola, Assistant Director Ernie Thebado and former Director Tom Sullivan. From a young age, Tom Sullivan had an interest in parks, athletic fields and gyms. He even took detours on trips to get a closer look at something at a park in another community that caught his eye. On May 3, 1973, Sullivan walked into his office on the top floor of Town Hall (where the Planning Department is now), to start his career as Watertown Recreation Director. He served in that position for 36 years, and continues to lend a hand and provide advice 50 years later. Sullivan had worked for three years at what was known as the Waltham Boys Club prior to taking the job in Watertown.

Police/Fire

City’s Motions for New Trial & Reduce Damages Fail in Sexual Discrimination Suit by Female Police Officer

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(Note: The original story incorrectly said the City appealed the original decision. The City filed post-trial motions.)

A Middlesex Superior Court Judge denied the City of Watertown’s motions to seek a new trial in the civil suit case filed by a former female police officer who won her suit against the Police Department for sexual discrimination and retaliation. On May 19, Judge John P. Pappas released his ruling on the post-trial motions to the case in which a jury ruled in favor of Kathleen Donohue in November. The jury in that case awarded Watertown’s first female detective $1 million in punitive damages, plus $2.26 million in future earnings and $1.22 million to cover her legal fees and costs. Pappas denied the new trial or to overturn the jury’s decision and/or award.

Around Town

Six People with Watertown Ties Made Charles River Chamber’s List of Most Influential Business Leaders of Color

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Half a dozen people living or working in Watertown made the list of Most Influential Business Leaders of Color chosen by Charles River Chamber of Commerce, which focused on both established leaders and emerging ones. The search for people of color making a positive contribution to the economic fabric of businesses and non-profits in the suburbs west of Boston began in January when the Chamber put out a call for nominations, said President Greg Reibman of the Charles River Chamber. The list was culled down from close to 200 nominations for either the “50 Most Influential Leaders” or “Emerging Leaders” lists. To qualify, honorees have to work and/or sit on a board for a business or nonprofit that is physically located in Newton, Needham, Watertown, Waltham, Wellesley, Natick, or Framingham. “Then we leaned on an eminent panel of judges to curate our final lists, in partnership with Colette Phillips and Get Konnected!”