Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/2/)
For the first time, the Watertown Public Schools’ Special Education program has failed to earn a grade of “Meets Requirements” from state officials. The School Committee heard a report about the shortfalls and possible solutions at its Dec. 8 meeting.
Watertown’s contract with the Flock Safety company for eight license plate reading cameras was signed in September, but City officials are working on changing the section covering when data will be shared with other law enforcement. Meanwhile, a neighboring community terminated its contract with Flock, and another is determining its own policy for using the cameras.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department.
A rendering of the affordable Willow Park affordable housing complex.
Funding for a home for adults with special needs, to help build a 138 unit affordable housing complex, and to replace the elevator at a historic home owned by the City of Watertown were approved by the City Council Tuesday night.
A study of the historic buildings in the area south of the Charles River was recently conducted by the City of Watertown. The report is intended to guide future historic preservation efforts in that area of town. The full report can now be viewed.
The Raiders hope to celebrate more State Tournament wins in 2025-26. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Basketball is back for Watertown High School (well, at Watertown Middle School for one more year). The season tips off for the boys and girls varsity teams on Friday when each face rival Belmont, as both look to return to the MIAA State Tournament.
The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:
The City of Watertown is updating its FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plan to assess its vulnerability to natural hazards and identify strategies to increase the resilience of our community, infrastructure, and natural resources.
An exhibit featuring the artwork of abstract expressionism artist Arshile Gorky will open at the Armenian Museum of America in Watertown on Dec. 12. Gorky lived in Watertown for a time, arriving in 1920 as part of a third wave of Armenians immigrants looking to escape persecution. See more details in the announcement from the museum below.
In the next few weeks the Watertown Police Department will have access to new equipment that can capture images of license plates of passing cars. The technology is intended to help with criminal investigations, but some have expressed concerns about how it will be used, including the ACLU of Massachusetts.
The Mt. Auburn Street Project includes line striping and tree removal from Dec. 9-12 and there will be lane shifts for motorists and parking restrictions in the areas of the work. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below.
The Watertown Public Schools received a Student and Young Adult Career Awareness and Training grant of $250,000 from the Mass. Clean Energy Center in the state’s effort to grown Massachusetts’ clean energy workforce.
The Charles River Regional Chamber will host a free Webinar called “How policy shifts may impact your employees and business” on Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 3 – 4 p.m. Via Zoom. It is free and open to members and non-members. See more information provided by the Chamber, below.