Around Town

Latest Local Podcast Episodes Feature Assistant City Manager & Creative Chat with Arts Organizer

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Recent episodes of the Little Local Conversations podcast featured Watertown’s Assistant City Manager for Community Development and Planning, Steve Magoon, as well as, the most recent Creative Chats with artist and arts organizer Kristen Kenny. In Little Local Conversations, host Matt Hanna discovers and connects the people, places, stories, and ideas of Watertown. Podcast guests include community leaders, business owners, non-profit organizers, artists and creatives, and other folks doing interesting and important work in the city. Hanna provided the following information about the episodes:

Steve Magoon

Meet Steve Magoon! He’s the Assistant City Manager for Community Development and Planning for the City of Watertown.

Police/Fire

Two Men Detained by Federal Immigration Officials on Watertown/Newton Line

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Two men were detained by several men identifying themselves as federal officers in Watertown near the Newton line on the morning of May 5, according to a report by Newton-based Fig City News. Fig City’s article was based on accounts of eyewitnesses and two videos of the incident seen by Fig City News journalists. The officials, who wore jackets with “HSI” and “Police” written on them, arrived in five unmarked vehicles. HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) is part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Photos show some of them wearing masks.

Police/Fire

Staffing for Second Watertown Ambulance Recommended by Council Committee

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A Council committee voted to recommend that Watertown’s Fire Department should have a second ambulance after hearing about the alternatives and cost of running the second in-house ambulance. Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson said having a second ambulance would not just provide quicker response for patients in emergency situations, but would also increase the morale of the WFD’s paramedics. He gave his presentation to the Committee on Budget & Fiscal Oversight on April 29. At a prior meeting, Nicholson told the committee about how calls handled by the contracted private ambulance service, Pro EMS, often does not meet the National Fire Protection Association’s standards of providing emergency medical services within 9 minutes 90 percent of the time. For calls handled by the contracted ambulance, the NFPA’s standard is met 44 percent of the time, Nicholson said in March, while when Watertown’s ambulance responds the standard is met 96 percent of the time.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Arrested for Trying to Break Into Home Twice, Shoplifter Busted, Counterfeit Bills Used

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. April 28: A juvenile was seen taking merchandise from Nike valued at $50. April 28: A woman carrying two tote bags went into Ulta and took two creams worth $125 and $89. April 29: Security at Target spotted a woman taking items. She left the store before police arrived but was located in the area. She had taken $203.60 worth of merchandise.

Environment

Lt. Gov. Recognizes Watertown as Part of Inaugural Group of Climate Leader Communities

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City Council President Mark Sideris speaks with Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll at the Climate Leader Communities event held in Watertown on May 2. (Courtesy of the DOER)

Watertown’s efforts to promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases were recognized by the State on Friday. The Healey-Driscoll Administration held the celebration of the state’s first 19 certified Climate Leader Communities outside the “crown jewel” of Watertown’s green efforts: the net-zero energy high school now being constructed on Columbia Avenue. The Climate Leader Communities program encourages municipalities to lower municipal emissions, maximize the efficiency of buildings and transportation, and slash energy costs. CLC certified communities can apply for grants of up to $1.15 million for projects that reduce municipal emissions.

Real Estate

More Than 40 Open Houses to Check Out in Watertown This Week

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Dozens and dozens (and dozens) of homes in Watertown will be hosting open houses over the first weekend in May. 232 Palfrey St., $719,900, 3 bedroom 2 bathroom 1,386 sq. ft. Single Family, Open houses: Friday, May 2 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM Saturday, May 3 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Sunday, May 4 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

177 Common St., $1,075,000, 4 bedroom 2 bathroom 2,452 sq. ft.

Sports

Former WHS Player Readying for Her Sixth Year as a College Field Hockey

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Aurise Tattrie will be playing her sixth year of college field hockey at UMass Lowell this fall. (Contributed Photo)

Aurise Tattrie has amassed perhaps the longest college career of any former Watertown field hockey player, as she enters her sixth year playing at UMass Lowell. She will play her final season as a captain of the River Hawks, but the journey has had its ups and downs. In her time in Lowell, Tattrie (who plays back) has appeared in 54 games, made 52 starts, scored one goal and added four assists for 7 total of points. She has played 3,083 minutes for the River Hawks.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Arrest Boston Man for Trafficking Fentanyl

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Courtesy of the Watertown Police Department. Police arrested a Boston man for allegedly dealing fentanyl in the Watertown. See the announcement from the Watertown Police Department below. On April 22, 2025, Watertown Police, working with the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force, arrested Wilkims Soto-Suazo for selling fentanyl to Watertown residents. Mr. Soto Suazo was arraigned [April 23] at Waltham District Court for Trafficking Class A Fentanyl over 36 grams (44.4 grams located).