Obituaries

OBIT: Marylouise McDermott, 87, Served on Several Town Boards, Local Business Owner & Was Active at St. Pat’s Church

By |

Marylouise McDermott

A Funeral Mass for Marylouise Pallotta McDermott, 87, will be held on Wednesday August 16, 2023, in the Church of Saint Patrick, 212 Main St., Watertown. Mrs. McDermott, a daughter of the late Giovanni & Antonetta (Lanni) Pallotta, was born in Avellino, Italy. She attended Rosary Academy and graduated from Boston University for her bachelor’s degree. She furthered her education receiving an MBA and master’s degree in education from Boston University. Marylouise taught in the field of business administration.

Government

City Manager: Team Working on Watertown Square Study is Creative & Collaborative

By |

City of Watertown

Work on solving one of the biggest riddles facing Watertown, how to fix Watertown Square, will soon begin, City Manager George Proakis said this week, and the process will include some new approaches with plenty of public participation. Proakis spent a significant chunk of time talking about the Watertown Square study during Wednesday’s State of the City event. “One of the key goals that came out of the Comprehensive Plan is that we need to look at Watertown Square in a holistic manner,” Proakis said. The study will not just look at how the main intersection operates for motor vehicles, but also buses, pedestrians, and bicyclists, Proakis said. The study will not just look at how to get through and around the Square, but also being able to “enjoy the space.”

Government

While the State of the City Looks Good, Manager Also Address Challenges Facing Watertown

By |

City Manager George Proakis, left, and City Council President Mark Sideris spoke during the first annual State of the City on Wednesday night. Behind them is a photo of a juggler at the Faire on the Square. (Courtesy of the City of Watertown)

The State of the City of Watertown is strong and the future is bright, City Manager George Proakis said during the first annual State of the City on Wednesday night, but there are still many challenges to deal with. The event where the City Manager and the City Council President talk about how the City of Watertown is doing is now required to be held annually, following the changes to Watertown’s City Charter adopted in 2021. At the end of his presentation, Proakis included a photo of a performer at the Faire on the Square.

Around Town

Watertown Resident Named as a Big Brother of the Year, Has Volunteered for Five Years

By |

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts Names Xin Peng a Big Brother of the Year (Courtesy of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts.)

The following information came from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts (BBBSEM) has named Xin Peng, 29, of Watertown, as one of the agency’s 2023 Big Brothers of the Year. He is one of nearly 4,000 volunteers, referred to as Bigs, for the nonprofit who are committed to developing caring and life-altering one-to-one mentoring relationships with children. Peng was matched with his mentee, or Little, Alex Braga , in July 2018. Braga’s parents enrolled him in the nonprofit’s signature community-based program, for which adult mentors, referred to as Bigs, are paired with youth and meet for two to three hours, a couple times a month on outings of their choice, in order to provide him with the one-to-one attention he deserved as they were focused on caring for his younger brother with autism transition to a residential program. At the time, the 9-year-old was shy and hesitant to try new things.

Schools

7 Watertown Students Make Dean’s List, Dozens of Local College Graduates

By |

Clipartpanda.com

Watertown students earned academic honors at their college or university, and dozens earned a degree this spring. The following information was provided by the colleges and universities:

Dean’s List

Wentworth Institute of Technology

The following local students have made the dean’s list at Wentworth Institute of Technology for the Spring 2023 semester. Jack Edgely of Watertown, Mass. Maxwell Juscen of Watertown, Mass. James Walter of Watertown, Mass.

Government

Master Plan for Watertown Mall Redevelopment & Parking Garage Going Before Planning Board

By |

A view of the plans for the Watertown Mall Transformation Project. (Illustration from Alexandria Real Estate)

Wednesday night, the Planning Board will hear plans for the redevelopment of the Watertown Mall and nearby properties planned by Alexandria Real Estate Equities. Alexandria seeks a Master Plan Special Permit with Site Plan Review for what is known as the Watertown Mall Transformation Project. The plan calls for four office/lab buildings, a new retail building, two amenity spaces and two parking garages, including one that would be a separate project at 480 Arenal Way. The application reads: “The proposed master plan would create a new mix of uses within a development that spans 4 existing parcels, carried out in phases, with laboratory/R&D, retail, office, commercial and amenity space within 8 buildings (Target/building to remain), with supporting structured and surface parking.”

Police/Fire

Police Log: Bust Recovers Over 100 Baggies of Drugs, Man Caught After Breaking Into Home & Car

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

July 25, 11:48 a.m.: Detectives from the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force observed a man making a drug sale on Brookline Street. The man had been under investigation for a month. After the sale, police pulled the suspect’s vehicle over. They immediately noticed two tied off corner plastic bags with a white rock substance inside the vehicle.

Entertainment

See Which Bands Will Play at the Watertown Arts Market

By |

The third annual Watertown Arts Market is just two weeks away, and there will be many vendors, businesses, and musical acts throughout the day. The Arts Market will be held on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 12-5 p.m. at Filippello Park (Grove Street entrance). It is free to attend and vendors will be selling art, food, drinks, and other items.

Music at the 2023 Watertown Arts Market

12 p.m.: Boston Jazz Voices

1 p.m.: Willow Flute Ensemble

2 p.m.: School of Rock

3 p.m.: 90 Mile Portage

4 p.m.: Lucretia’s Daggers

About the Watertown Arts Market

The Watertown Arts Market is a family-friendly outdoor event with a diverse selection of artists, authors, creatives, musicians, performers, arts and cultural organizations, and businesses. Each artist and organization will host a table or perform at the event.