Schools

Rates of Alcohol & Drug Use Down for Watertown Students, But Depression & Stress Has Risen

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The rate of alcohol and marijuana is dropping for Watertown students, according to a survey by the Watertown Youth Coalition, but school officials have concerns about use among certain groups, as well as the feeling of depression and not having trusted adults with whom they can speak. For the past three decades, the Watertown Youth Coalition has monitored the well-being of Watertown students by tracking the use of alcohol and drugs, and rates of depression and stress. In November, the WYC reported the results of the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which was taken by 424 Watertown Middle School students and 591 from Watertown High School. At the high school 18 percent of students reported they had consumed alcohol over the previous 30 days, down from 23 percent in 2021 and 32 percent in 2017. The middle school went from 4 percent in 2021 to 3 percent in 2023.

Around Town

Tradition of Giving Gifts to Kids in Need That was Started by Former Watertown Police Officer, Continues Today

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Toys collected for the Whooley Foundation during a recent drive. Pictured, from left, Rotary Club President Kim Severino, Watertown Business Coalition Co-President Doug Orifice, Whooley Foundation President David Collins, Watertown Business Coalition Co-President Bob Airasian, and Mosesian Center for the Arts Executive Director Darren Farrington. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Every year, days before Christmas, toys donated from around the community fill the Community Room at the Watertown Police Station in preparation to be distributed to families in need around the community. The drive is organized by the Sonny Whooley Foundation, named for a former Watertown Police officer known for his generosity, said David Collins, president of the Whooley Foundation. Over the years, the Whooley Foundation has helped thousands of families, Collins said.

Government

Some City Departments Will be On the Move within City Hall or to Parker Annex

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Photo by City of WatertownThe City of Watertown will move multiple municipal departments to the Parker Annex Building on Watertown Street. City Hall has been the center of municipal government in Watertown for nearly a century, and it will continue to be filled with local government offices but some will be moving across the Charles River to the recently reacquired Parker Annex Building. Last week, City Manager George Proakis presented his plan to rearrange City departments. Parker Annex

The first department to move across the river is Public buildings, Proakis said, and within the next two months he hopes the Information Technology (IT) Department will join them. First IT will be in a temporary location on the second floor before moving to a permanent spot on the third floor.

Around Town

Watertown College Student Shares His Experience Dealing with a Rare, Painful Disease in New Book

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Shant Cimenian shared his story about dealing with an invisible disease in his soon to be published book. (Courtesy Photo)

Most days, Shant Cimenian’s life is a very typical one. The 21-year-old Watertown resident attends UMass Boston and is looking toward life after college. However, some days, without warning, he will be thrown into writhing agony due to a rare disease. Having an “invisible disease” can be a struggle, but Cimenian wants to share his story with others facing similar conditions to show them not alone.

Around Town

Redesigning Watertown Square: Areas with Potential, Spots for Housing & Changing Roadways

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Urban planner Jeff Speck shows one of the possible new configurations of Watertown Square. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

While much of the discussion during the final presentation of the design charrette focused on the redesign of the main intersection in Watertown Square, the design consultants also looked at areas such as what people want to see in their downtown, where housing could be created, what properties could be redeveloped, and other roadways in the area that could be reconfigured. The consultants remarked on the high levels of participation the Watertown Square project drew, compared to similar design efforts in other communities. Urban designer Jeff Speck said that per capita, Watertown had four times higher turnout than other projects he has worked on. Over the three days, 230 people signed in to participate in at least one of the work sessions where they could hear from designers and give input on a variety of subjects.

Around Town

Watertown Square Ideas Include Rerouted Roadways, Shops on Expanded Delta, More Paths

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Residents look at the maps from the table work sessions in the Watertown Square Area Plan design charrette. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

After an intense two days of gathering input from the public and looking at different ways to improve how Watertown Square works, the City of Watertown’s consultants presented two ideas that would significantly change traffic patterns in the intersection, but would not have a rotary. The two main contenders for the new Watertown Square layout are known as “Four Corners” and “Mini Main Street.” Both ideas would significantly shrink the amount of space dedicated to roadways and would increase the size of the Delta and other green spaces, as well as provide parallel parking, wider sidewalks, bike accommodations, and easier bus connections, the consultants said Thursday night. On Wednesday, urban designer Jeff Speck presented three drawings, the Four Corners, Mini Main Street and also one known as the Deltabout, where traffic would flow counter clockwise around the Delta.

Government

First Drafts of Watertown Square Redesign, Changes to MBTA Discussed at Design Workshop

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Some of the preliminary sketches for a redesigned Watertown Square prepared by the consultants. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

All day, Wednesday, hundreds of residents gave their opinions about what they want Watertown Square to look like when it is redesigned, and the City of Watertown’s consultants showed some first efforts at ways to improve traffic flow, as well as the pedestrian experience in the area. Urban Designer Jeff Speck showed a packed room several options for ways to change the design of roadways in Watertown Square. Some included roundabouts, some opened the roadway around the Delta to all traffic (not just buses as it is now), and many altered the roadways leading into the Square. By eliminating some of the spokes going into the main intersection would make traffic lights simpler, said Ralph DeNisco, a traffic engineer from VHB.

Police/Fire

Watertown’s New Police Chief Announced by City Manager

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Watertown’s Justin Hanrahan has been named the new Chief of the Watertown Police Department. (Courtesy of the City of Watertown)

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City Manager George J. Proakis is pleased to announce the appointment of Watertown native Justin Hanrahan as the new Police Chief for the City of Watertown effective November 30, 2023. Hanrahan, currently a Captain in the department, brings 28 years of experience to the Watertown Police Department. As Chief, he will oversee nearly 80 sworn and civilian staff, providing police and emergency response services spanning four groups in a department with an annual operating budget of approximately $11 million. Hanrahan began his law enforcement career as a police officer for the City of Keene, New Hampshire, Police Department in 1995.