Government

Deadline Approaching to Take Comprehensive Plan Survey

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The City of Watertown released the draft Comprehensive Plan update in late February and held an open house on March 9. Those who did not have a chance to comment on the plan then can still do so by filling out an online survey. The deadline to fill out the survey is Friday, March, 24. The survey also covers the draft Open Space and Recreation Plan. “Your participation will help the City better understand your interests and incorporate your ideas in the plans and their implementation,” the City’s announcement said.

Around Town

State Climate Bill to “Make the Polluters Pay” Kicked Off in Watertown

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Charlie BreitroseEnvironmental activists from around Massachusetts gathered at the Commander’s Mansion to celebrate the filing of the Polluters Pay Bill in the State Legislature on Friday. Environmental advocates gathered in Watertown to celebrate the filing of a new bill in the Massachusetts State House that would make the companies that produced the oil that created greenhouse gases pay for the impact on the climate. The event took place at the Commander’s Mansion, which is located in a former Federal Superfund Site — the U.S. Army’s Watertown Arsenal — because co-sponsors liken the legislation to a Climate Change Superfund. The bill is known as the Polluters Pay Bill, said Watertown State Rep. Steve Owens, who is a co-sponsor along with State Sen. Jamie Eldridge. “The principle of the Polluters Pay Bill is very simple: those who made the mess should be the ones to clean it up,” Owens said.

Around Town

Jon Taffer in Town to Visit His Restaurant, Sees Area as Strong Market

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Charlie BreitroseJon Taffer meets patrons at Taffer’s Tavern in Watertown. TV host turned restaurateur Jon Taffer recently stopped by the eatery in Watertown that bears his name: Taffer’s Tavern. Just five months after opening, the restaurant in Arsenal Yards has been doing well, as is the Boston area, he said. The host of Paramount Network’s Bar Rescue has fond memories of the Boston area, having run a nightclub and bar convention from an office in Newton. “I have always loved this city.

Entertainment

Watertown Author’s Book Added to Library of Congress

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Watertown’s Fred Grandinetti had his book about Popeye cartoons of the 1960s accepted into the Library of Congress’ reference collection. He is pictured with Popeye and Brutus dolls which represent how they looked in the cartoons of the era covered by the book. A Watertown author recently had one of his titles added to The Library of Congress’ reference collection. Fred M. Grandinetti’s Popeye the Sailor; The 1960’s TV Cartoons, made the select list of books cataloged in the Library of Congress. “I am very proud to have one of Popeye’s cartoon series included in their collection,” said Grandinetti, who said the book was accepted after going through the application process for inclusion in the collection.

Sports

Watertown’s Run in the Hockey Tourney Scuttled by Scituate in State Semi

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown junior Jack Dickie coms around the Scituate net in the MIAA Div. 3 Final Four game in Bourne. BOURNE — The Watertown/Wayland boy’s hockey team appeared to have one more moment of magic up its sleeve after grabbing a tying goal in the final minutes of the MIAA Div. 3 Final Four game, but the “puck luck” was not on the Raiders’ side and the Sailors will be skating for the State Title after a 4-2 win capped by an empty net goal. Charlie BreitroseWatertown junior Maricio Souza skates up ice against Scituate in the State Semifinal.

Sports

Watertown Hockey Returns to Cape for State Semi, History is On the Raiders Side

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Charlie BreitroseIn 2015, Watertown defeated Norwell in the State Semifinal at Gallo Arena. That night Watertown junior Tyler Gardiner celebrates scoring the first goal in the 3-0 victory. The Watertown High School boys hockey team will be back on the Cape Saturday night playing for a berth in the State Final. This is not the first time the the team has been in this position, and the Raiders hope that history repeats itself. Saturday night at 7:40 p.m., the fifth-seeded Raiders (14-6-3) take on top-seeded Scituate (19-4-2) in the MIAA Div.

Schools

Watertown High School Adding Courses, Changing Grad Requirements to Meet State Standards

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Watertown High School will be offering some new courses next year, and the graduation requirements will be changing for incoming freshmen. Also, the school is trying to prevent plagiarism by high-tech methods. On Monday, the School Committee heard about the changes to the Watertown High School Course of Studies from WHS Principal Joel Giacobozzi. Some changes were made to get the high school in line with the state’s recommended graduation requirements, and one came out of a student initiative. “Fine, applied and performing arts added Dance and Choreography Workshop,” Giacobozzi said.