Police Log: Pair of Shoplifters Busted, Bike Take off Back of Car

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. March 22, 3 p.m.: A woman entered Target and took multiple items from the cosmetics section. In total, 18 beauty products worth $250 were taken. March 22, 10:30 a.m.: A bicycle was stolen off the back of a car parked on Bond Street in Arsenal Yards. The light blue Bianchi bike, valued at $2,000, was taken off a car bike rack.

Fire Department Awards Medals to Two Men Who Helped Prevent a Serious Blaze

Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson congratulates Omar Omolade, middle, and Amitabh Agrawal for receiving the Medal of Commendation for their quick actions that prevented a serious fire on Galen Street in January. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The quick action of a pair of men in a barbershop on Galen Street early on a January morning prevented serious damage in a building that is home to multiple businesses. This week, the Watertown Fire Department awarded them with a Fire Service Awards. On Jan. 18, 2024, at about 6:45 a.m., a fire alarm went off for a restaurant on Galen Street, and fire crews arrived to find the restaurant’s steel door had already been opened by Omar Omolade of 1st Yard Barbers, and customer Amitabh Agrawal.

City Manager: Next Watertown Square Meeting a Key One, Discusses How MBTA Communities Zoning Works

The Watertown Square Area Plan meeting on April 4 will not be the last meeting in the process, City Manager George Proakis told the City Council Tuesday, but it will be an important point in the redesign of the intersection and the City’s effort to meet the MBTA Law requirements. Proakis also explained what the zoning changes would and would not do. The next meeting in the Watertown Square Area Plan process will be held at 66 Galen Street on Thursday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m. Proakis said this will be the sixth meeting held by the City in the process and it will be a key one. “This particular meeting is important for us. We will be presenting one idea for where to move forward on streetscape, one on where to move forward on zoning,” Proakis said.

Award-Winning Documentary Screening to be Hosted by Pigsgusset Initiative

The following announcement was provided by the Pigsgusset Initiative:

Community members are invited to attend the Watertown debut of Stonebreakers, an award winning documentary, that will be showing at the Watertown Free Public Library on April 11, 2024 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  

Stonebreakers chronicles the conflicts around monuments that arose in the United States during the George Floyd protests and the 2020 presidential election. As statues of Columbus, Confederates and Founding Fathers fall from their pedestals, the nation’s triumphalist myths are called into question. By exploring the shifting landscapes of American monumentality, the film interrogates the link between history and political action in a nation that must confront its past now more urgently than ever. 

Discussion will follow the film facilitated by Dr. Mishy Lesser, Watertown resident, co-founder of the Watertown-based Pigsgusset Initiative and Co-President and Learning Director for Upstander Project. The free showing of this film represents a collaboration between the Watertown Free Public Library and the Pigsgusset Initiative, a working group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment.  Light refreshments will be served. For further information contact: Jennifer Wolfrum at jenniferwolfrum13@gmail.com

Developer of Galen Street Life Science Building Hopeful of Filling Space as Industry Improves

Elkus Manfredi ArchitectsAn illustration of the view of the life sciences building at 66 Galen St. from Water Street

One of Watertown’s newest life science buildings remains unoccupied, but the developer of the building south of the Charles River believes the trends are looking better in the industry and hopes to have tenants in the near future. Members of the public got a look inside of 66 Galen Street in late February during an event hosted by the Charles River Regional Chamber, and there will be another chance (a free one) to visit the building in early April. Jodie Zussman, President and CEO of Boston Development Group, said the company saw the rising prospects of Watertown as a life science hub. The project was a long effort but she is pleased with the final result.

“It’s exactly what we envisioned.

Councilor Emily Izzo Announces Date of Annual Public Meeting

Emily Izzo, District D City Councilor. All City Councilors hold an annual meeting to meet with the public, and District D City Councilor Emily Izzo announced the date of her meeting. See info below. District D City Councilor Emily Izzo’s Individual Annual City Councilor Meeting is Monday, April 8, 2024 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Watertown Police Station, 552 Main St., Watertown, MA.