Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/author/cbreitro/page/2/)
Homebuyers have a large selection of properties to visit in town this week. 14 Center St. APT 3, $995,000, 4 bedroom 3 bathroom 2,709 sq. ft. Condo, Open houses: Friday, May 8 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Saturday, May 9 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Sunday, May 10 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
68 Aldrich Road #B, $499,900, 2 bedroom 1 bathroom, 738 sq.
Ritcey East owner Max Ritcey presents a fan favorite: fish tacos. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
The Dish is a new collaboration between Watertown News and the Little Local Conversations podcast which takes a deep dive into a favorite dish from a local restaurant and beyond. Watertown’s Ritcey East has become a favorite place for people looking for comfort food, a cocktail, and enjoy it in a laid back, fun atmosphere. One of the most popular menu items, the fish tacos, also harkens back to owner Max Ritcey’s culinary roots, and has strong family ties. Ritcey’s fish tacos are simple, but burst with complex flavors.
State Rep. John Lawn
Watertown State Rep. John Lawn revealed that he was sexually abused by adults when he was a child in an Op-Ed he wrote for the Boston Globe, in which he also called for the end of statute of limitations in Massachusetts for child sexual abuse cases. Lawn wrote that he was abused by a “trusted leader” at a local pool and skating rink and a Catholic priest, both of whom are now dead. He went on to say that he remained silent even when revelations of abuse in the Catholic church arose, and even when asked by his mother after one of his abusers was arrested for abusing others. Massachusetts’ current child sexual abuse gives abuse victims can file suits up to age 53, and in cases of repressed memory, adults have seven years after realizing they were abused as children to file claims against abusers. “Trauma does not operate on a legal timeline,” Lawn wrote.
The sign for the temporary Watertown High School at PFC Richard Moxley Field. (Courtesy by City of Watertown)
The students taking Advanced Placement classes at Watertown High School have become more diverse, and more students come from low-income backgrounds. The total number of students in AP classes increased, too. On Monday, the School Committee heard a report from the WHS AP Pathways Working Group, which presented the outcomes of efforts to expand access to advanced courses and make the process more transparent. Casey Andrews, the Grade 9-12 English Language Arts Coordinator, presented the data.
Watertown Public School’s musicians will be performing at a pair of concerts in May. Band Concert
The Watertown High School band will hold its WHS Spring Concert on May 7 at 7 p.m. at the Watertown Middle School Auditorium! Orchestra Concert
Watertown string players from grades 6-12 will perform on Tuesday, May 19 from 7-8 p.m. in the WMS Auditorium for our Spring Orchestra Concert. This event is free and open to all!
The School Committee approved a Personal Electronic Device (PED) Policy that prevents students from using or having access to a device — such as a cell phone or tablet — during the entire school day, including during lunchtime and breaks. The PED Policy came out of the PED Task Force, which studied the subject and provided a recommended policy to the School Committee. The policy was approved at the May 4 School Committee meeting. The Policy reads: “The Watertown Public Schools (WPS) personal electronic device (PED) policy aims to improve students’ social/emotional health and development, student engagement in academics, the overall school social climate, and students’ connectedness to the school community.” The Personal Electronic Device (PED) policy reads, “subject to the exceptions outlined below, students may not access or use any PED for the entire duration of the school day, and PEDs should be off or in silent mode from the first bell of the school day until the end of the day while in the school building.”
The Department of Conservation and Recreation will host the second virtual public meeting about a proposed Charles River Reservation passive park at the former 13 acre “GSA site” in East Watertown. The DCR’s design team will present early (25%) plans for a passive park between Coolidge Avenue and Arsenal Street, including paths, seating, improved bike/pedestrian access, accessible features, and ecological upgrades. See the slide presentation by clicking here. When: Thursday, May 7, 6-7:30 p.m.Register: Please follow this linkQuestions: email mass.parks@mass.gov | 617-626-4973
You can share feedback during the meeting, and a recording will be posted afterward. Additional comments are accepted on this public comment portal through May 21.
Drawings of plans for renovating the Lt. Paul Sullivan Playground. (Source: City of Watertown)
A playground named in honor of a Watertown man who died in Vietnam will be getting an update, with new play structures and paving. The City Council received a report on the Sullivan Playground project at the April 28 meeting. The playground located at the corner of Mt. Auburn and Arlington streets was dedicated in honor of Lt. Paul Sullivan in 1969, a year after he died in Vietnam where he served in the U.S. Army Rangers.