Schools

City Officials Look at Ways to Deal with Soaring Cost of Watertown High School Project

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Ai3 ArchitectsA rendering of the designs for the new Watertown High School viewed from Columbia Street. Soaring construction prices have pushed the cost of the new Watertown High School millions above the original estimate, but City Manager George Proakis committed to getting the school built without sacrificing the educational program or the net zero energy design. During his Fiscal Year 2024 Watertown budget presentation on May 9, Proakis gave the City Council an update on the WHS project, and some of the imperfect options for paying for the cost increase. When the Council approved the WHS project in June 2021, the price tag was $198 million. That figure includes building a temporary high school site at Moxley Field and making the school net zero (producing enough energy to cover the amount used by the building).

Entertainment

See Who’s Playing at the Summer Concert Series, Plus Music During the Farmers Market

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Summer Concert Series offers free performances at Saltonstall Park, 149 Main Street, Watertown. The concerts take place immediately following the Watertown Farmer’s Market, from 6:30-8 PM. You are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Brought to you by the City of Watertown, Public Arts & Culture with help from the Department of Public Works. Along with the concert, enjoy “Music at the Market” featuring local musicians on Wednesdays from 3-5 PM.

Schools

Watertown’s Musical Talent Showcased at MusicFest

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A Watertown student performs at MusicFest on April 28. The following piece was provided by Friends of Watertown Music:

After a pandemic-imposed hiatus, the Friends of Watertown Music was excited to revive its annual MusicFest tradition and on April 28th, and the community turned out to welcome its return! MusicFest celebrates music and musicians, through a presentation of short performances – each between 5 and 20 minutes long. This year’s attendees had the opportunity to choose among more than 40 acts across three spaces within the performance venue — Watertown Middle School. A dazzlingly wide variety of musical genres were featured, and performers and audience members alike spanned the decades.

Police/Fire

“Natural” Fire That Damaged Watertown Home Started in Mulch

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Watertown Fire DepartmentFirefighters from Watertown and several area communities battled the three-alarm fire on Maple Street. Fire investigators determined that a fire that damaged a multifamily home in Watertown was started by a “natural” cause. On Thursday afternoon a three alarm blaze struck a home on Maple Street. Provisional Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson said it started outside th home. “Our fire investigator has classified this fire as ‘Natural,’ and determined the cause to be fresh mulch which ignited from direct sunlight heating and extended to trash barrels in direct contact,” provisional Watertown fire Chief Ryan Nicholson said in a statement.

Police/Fire

3 Alarm Fire Damages Multifamily Home in Watertown

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Watertown Fire DepartmentFlames blaze out of the roof of a multifamily home on Maple Street on Thursday. Flames could be seen coming out of the roof of a multifamily home on Maple Street Thursday afternoon. Watertown Firefighters, with help of several departments, were able to contain the three-alarm fire to just that structure. The call for a fire came in at about 3 p.m. on May 11, said Provisional Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. “Upon arrival we found a fire that appeared to start on the exterior at the ground level and travel up and into the third floor for a multi family home,” Nicholson said.

Government

Watertown Candidate Nomination Papers Available, See Deadlines

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Charlie Breitrose

Watertown residents wishing to run for local office can now take out papers to run in the 2023 Watertown City Election, which will be held on Nov. 7. If there are enough candidates to require a Preliminary Election, that will be held on Sept. 19. The City Clerk’s Office provided the following information:

Offices on the Ballot

Any Watertown registered voter who is interested in running for office can visit the City Clerk’s Office beginning Friday, May 12, 2023 to pick up Nomination Papers for the offices of City Council President and member of the School Committee (1), Councilor-at-large (4), District Councilor (1 for each District), Board of Library Trustees (3) and School Committee (3) for the 2023 Municipal City Election.

Government

Watertown’s Budget Includes Study of Improving the Square, Rodent Control & Energy Efficiency

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Watertown City Hall

City Manager George Proakis told the City Council that he believes that a key to getting the best bang for the buck in the City Budget is providing competitive salaries and benefits to employees. He also discussed some new initiatives planned to start in Fiscal Year 2024, including studies on Watertown Square, rodent control, and making the City’s buildings and vehicles more efficient. Revenues

The vast majority of Watertown’s budget comes from local real estate and personal property taxes. The City is forecast to collect $152 million in property taxes, which makes up about 80 percent of the $190 million Fiscal Year 2024 Budget. The City budget includes $15.9 million in State Aid, up $1.5 million from FY23.