Government

Funds Approved to Update Part of Parker Building, Build New Home for Watertown Food Pantry

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The Parker Annex Building (Courtesy of City of Watertown)

Tuesday night, the City Council approved funds to renovate the Parker Annex Building to set up a new home for the Watertown Food Pantry, update and rehabilitate the building, and bring it up to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. On June 24, the Council unanimously approved borrowing $5.778 million to pay costs of renovating the Parker Annex Building, the former school building that became an office building before being reacquired by the City in 2023. City Manager George Proakis the money will be combined with the $326,890 in ARPA and other funds set aside for setting up the Watertown Food Pantry in the Parker Building, and $104,000 (also approved Tuesday) to cover the cost above the project estimate. “We’re excited about this project. What this project accomplishes is it builds out the second floor for the (Department of) Community Development and Planning,” he said.

Government

Funds to Improve Track & Courts, Create New Entrance at Victory Field Approved

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The Victory Field Phase II project includes renovation of the track, courts, and the driveway in the complex. Several years after the planning began for improvements to the track oval and tennis and basketball courts area at Victory Field, funding for the project was approved by the City Council Tuesday night. The final recommendation for the project was approved in 2018, but the project was pushed back on the City’s list of capital projects until this year. On June 24, Councilors unanimously approved borrowing $8.9 million to pay for construction and reconstruction of parts of the municipal outdoor recreational and athletic facilities located at Victory Field. The project is the second phase of improvements to the Victory Field athletic facilities, coming after the improvements to the stadium area (where sports including football, soccer and field hockey play) and the baseball diamond.

Schools

Cost Estimates for Watertown Middle School Project Concern Building Committee

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A vision of what a new Watertown Middle School could look like created by Ai3 Architects and presented to the School Committee. Members of the School Building Committee expressed concerns over the cost of the proposals for rebuilding or renovating and expanding Watertown Middle School. On June 18, Ai3 Architects presented the preliminary cost estimates for the project, and the two “preferred” option came in more than $30 million above the amount of money set aside by the City: $84.7 million. The “add/reno” option would keep the newer section of the Middle School. That includes the auditorium and gymnasium, both of which would receive “comprehensive renovations.”

Schools

Students at Jewish Day School Create Traveling Holocaust Museum

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One of the suitcases that are part of the Unpacking History – a Mobile Holocaust Memorial created by students at the Jewish Community Day School of Boston in Watertown. (Courtesy of JCDS)

Students at the Jewish Community Day School of Boston, located in Watertown, packed years of facts, artifacts and personal experiences into six small suitcases and a jewelry case to create a traveling Holocaust museum. The project, called “Unpacking History – A Mobile Holocaust Memorial,” is the creation of the eighth-graders at the JCDS. Each of the suitcases has a different theme, with one about the rise of Nazis in Germany in the 1920s and 1930s, another about roles played in the Holocaust by companies which are still familiar brands, propaganda, stories of Jews living in Germany at the time, photos, and more. Some of the displays have audio and even video components.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Pair Arrested for Pulling Knife During Fight, Two Shoplifters Also Face Drug Charges

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. June 6: A man went into Target and took $58.19 in bath, health and beauty, and grocery items.

June 6: A package was taken from a home on Oliver Road. FedEx delivered the box containing a 15-inch MacBook computer valued at $1,400 at 2:30 p.m. It was gone when the resident returned home. The report was taken by Officer Sean Bowler. June 6: A shoplifter took five pairs of men’s shoes from Marshalls valued at $250.

Real Estate

Watertown Real Estate: More Than 30 Open Houses

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Plenty of new listings in the Watertown real estate market this weekend. 32 Whites Ave. #F6605, $475,000, 2 bedroom 1 bathroom 1,055 sq. ft. Condo, Open houses: Friday, June 20 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Saturday, June 21 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Sunday, June 22 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM

251 Boylston St.

Police/Fire

Fire Damages Watertown Home, Started With Computer Charger

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Watertown Firefighters put out a fire on Hillside Road that started with a computer charger. On Tuesday at 6:53 p.m., a call came in for a computer on fire. “Upon arrival smoke was reported coming from a third-floor window,” said Assistant Fire Chief William Maietta. “Further investigation found fire coming from a third-floor bedroom. Heavy smoke and high heat conditions made advancement with a hose line difficult.”