Around Town

Historic Paintings Removed from City Hall to be Restored Using Community Preservation Funds

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Charlie BreitroseEmployees from Maquette Fine Arts Services prepare one of the historic paintings in City Hall’s lobby to be removed from the wall for restoration. Stephen Munroe of Maquette, center, speaks with art preservationist Louise Orsini, right. Friday morning a quiet sense of anticipation filled the lobby of Watertown’s City Hall. The marble covered atrium was filled with history lovers and art preservationists waiting to see what secrets are held by a pair of paintings dating back to the early 1930s. The towering paintings have been inset into the walls of Watertown’s Town Hall (since 2021 City Hall) since it opened in 1932.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Introduces New Executive Director

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Board of Directors of Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) proudly announces the appointment of Athelia A. Tilson (Tia) as its next Executive Director. Tia is a seasoned, strategic leader, community activist, and fundraiser with over 20 years’ experience identifying and developing partnerships to strengthen non-profits, and deep work in the city’s community organizations.  

Tia has managed significant development efforts for major health, scientific, educational, and human services organizations, including Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Ariadne Labs, Pathfinder International, MIT, The Home for Little Wanderers, and the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review. “Tia brings extraordinary knowledge and understanding of how life sciences and research entities can collaborate with community partners to create opportunities for both to thrive, and we are thrilled she will be our next Executive Director,” said David Siegel, former WCF Co-President who chaired the Search Committee. 

Tia will formally join WCF in her new role on Jan. 2, 2023.

Around Town

Holiday Fun at Commanders Mansion’s Whoville Jubilee & Tree Lighting

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Charlie BreitroseA crowd gathered for the tree lighting outside the Watertown Commander’s Mansion on Saturday night. Watertown’s Commander’s Mansion shone with lights and welcomed hundreds of families for the 2022 Whoville Jubilee and Tree Lighting on Saturday. Visitors entered through an arch of lights, and were welcomed to the event by the Mayor of Whoville (City Council Vice President Vincent Piccirilli). Charlie BreitroseVisitors to the Whoville Jubilee entered through an arch of lights. Food trucks served up goodies to hungry visitors, and free hot cocoa and cookies were provided for those feeling a bit peckish.

Schools

Perkins Students Show Some Bruins a Thing or Two About Goal Ball

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Charlie BreitroseBoston Bruins players Tomas Nosek, left, and Pavel Zacha, shake hands with one of the Perkins School for the Blind goal ball players. Two members of the Boston Bruins got a lesson on what it’s like to play a sport designed for people who are blind or vision impaired on Thursday afternoon. Pavel Zacha and Tomas Nosek each donned a pair of goggles that blacked out their vision, and had to defend a goal that was about 30 feet wide. On the other end were three experienced members of the Perkins School for the Blind goal ball team. Charlie BreitroseBoston Bruins player Pavel Zacha rolls the goal ball in the exhibition game against students from Perkins School for the Blind.

Around Town

Developers Have Vision for Site at Pleasant St. & Rosedale Ave.

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Broder/CBTAn illustration of the potential designs for a project at Pleasant Street and Rosedale Avenue, which would include a life science building, a garage and retail space. A project has been envisioned for a major parcel on Pleasant Street that would add a life science building, retail and a parking garage. Broder and CBT seek a Site Plan Review application for a project on the former Cannistraro property (and the former home of the Plumbing Museum) at the corner of Pleasant Street and Rosedale Ave. The project includes multiple parcels: 275 & 313 Pleasant St., 80 Rosedale Road and 60 Acton St. Project documents were submitted to the Watertown Planning Department and posted on the City website on Nov.

Government

Council’s Budget Priorities for FY 2024 Include Watertown Square Study, Rodent Control & 311 System

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Watertown City Hall

The City Council gave City Manager George Proakis its priorities for the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which includes funds for a study of the future of Watertown Square, rodent control, and launching a 311 system. Each year, the Council’s Budget and Fiscal Oversight Committee meets in the fall to discuss the priorities for the next fiscal year’s budget. The results were presented on Nov. 22, and adopted by the full Council. Other items added include staffing to make sure the changes to the Comprehensive Plan are implemented, focusing on snow and ice removal as a possible residential requirement is considered, and implementation of recommendations coming out of plans and studies, including the Personnel Department assessment, the salary study, the Energy and Climate Plan, and the Health and Human Services Study.

Government

Council Approves Tax Rates, Cannot Shift Burden onto Commercial as Much as in Past

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A State law that allows cities and towns to shift the tax rates from residential properties to commercial and industrial properties also stands in the way of providing as much relief to homeowners as the City Council would like. Last week, the City Council adopted the new tax rate with a split tax rate and residential exemption that would increase the average annual tax bill by $309 or 4.4 percent. State Law’s Impact on Watertown Taxes

Proposition 2 1/2, which is known for limiting the overall tax levy increase to 2.5 percent per year, also allows for some relief of up to residential property owners. Watertown City Assessor Earl Smith told the City Council on Nov. 22 that the law also limits how much can be “shifted” onto CIP (commercial, industrial and personal) properties.

Around Town

Runners Take to Streets of Watertown for 17th Annual Donohue’s Turkey Trot

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Charlie BreitroseRunners hit the streets for the 17th annual Donohue’s Turkey Trot on Thursday morning. The tradition continued Thursday morning when hundreds of runners and walkers gathered for the 17th time to hit the streets of Watertown during the Donohue’s Bar & Grill Turkey Trot. The proceeds from the 5K run and walk run and walk go to the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. Charlie BreitroseTurkey Trot competitors jump off the line at the start of the 5K race. The race drew a large crowd on a sunny but crisp Thanksgiving morning when temperatures hovered around freezing.