Schools

School Officials Outline Strategies to Improve Watertown’s Special Education Program

By |

A study of the Watertown Public Schools’ special education found a number of areas of concerns, including a lack of uniformity, a need for better communication with families, and a distrust among parents of students in the program. A group called the Special Education Strategy Development Committee, made up of 31 people from different levels in the schools, as well as parents, discussed Watertown’s special education data, reports from state on the district’s special education program, as well as the report from AthenaK12. The district committee put out a Special Education Success Strategy report. The special education committee pointed to multiple areas to focus on to improve the program for students with special needs, said Kathy Desmarais, Watertown’s Director of Student Services. One issue rose to the top in the report.

Food

Restaurants Won’t be Allowed to Automatically Include Plastic Utensils Under New Ordinance

By |

Restaurants in Watertown will not longer be able to automatically include packets of plastic utensils with takeout or deliver orders. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A new ordinance approved by the City Council prohibits restaurants from automatically including plastic utensils with takeout orders, however customers can request these items when they order or pick up their food. The Council considered the Skip the Stuff ordinance at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. “Watertown Skip the Stuff ordinance is designed to reduce unnecessary plastic waste in our community,” said City Councilor Nicole Gardner. “Under this simple, common sense policy, restaurants and food businesses will no longer automatically include items like plastic utensils, straws and condiment packets with takeout or delivery orders.”

Government

Council President Outlines City’s Protections for Undocumented Immigrants, Does Not Favor an Executive Order

By |

City Council President Mark Sideris. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

After receiving questions about and requests to protect immigrants in Watertown in recent weeks, City Council President Mark Sideris emphasized the steps being taken by the City to provide safety and security, but said he does not favor the City Council passing a resolution or executive order regarding immigrants in Watertown. Sideris spoke during the President’s Report at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. After a resident was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on April 10, people reached out to Sideris and other elected officials. He stressed that he was speaking on his own behalf, not for the entire Council.

Around Town

Watertown Eco Fest will Feature Sustainable Vendors, Demonstrations & Activities for All Ages

By |

The second annual Watertown Eco Fest will feature activities including electric bike test rides, vendors of sustainable products, activities for kids, and more. The event, hosted by the City of Watertown, will also include representatives from City departments and community organizations focused on sustainability. Eco Fest will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 at the Commander’s Mansion, 440 Talcott Ave., Watertown. Watertown Sustainability Planner Mia Kania said Eco Fest the City created Eco Fest after the City Council approved the Resilient Watertown Climate and Energy Plan. “It started last year, which was right after we had expanded the Sustainability Team, essentially doubling,” Kania said.

Business

Robotics Company Builds on Watertown’s History of Manufacturing in Former Mill Building

By |

Tutor Intelligence’s Data Factory 1, which has 100 AI robots performing tasks, is part of the company’s new headquarters at Riverworks in Watertown (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A building along the Charles River in Watertown where textiles were once made has a new tenant involved in manufacturing. Tutor Intelligence creates AI robots that are used by companies from coast to coast. On April 23, Tutor hosted a grand opening at its offices in Riverworks, a building on Pleasant Street that was previously home to Boston Scientific, and prior to that was known as Aetna Mills. The company spent most of its first five years on the other side of Watertown in a space on Coolidge Hill Road under Eastern Clothing. Tutor outgrew that space and looked for a larger facility, said Tutor’s CTO Alon Kosowsky, who co-founded the company with CEO Josh Gruenstein.

Around Town

Lafayette Celebrated (Again) in Watertown for Contributions to American Revolution

By |

Watertown officials celebrated the new historical marker in honor of General Lafayette. From left, Council Vice President Vincent Piccirilli, Council President Mark Sideris, Marilynne Roach of the Historical Society, City Manager George Proakis, Julien Icher of the Lafayette Trail, Joyce Kelly from the Historical Society, and City Councilor Caroline Bays. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

On a drizzly, cool morning, a small crowd of Watertown history buffs came out to celebrate a Frenchman who played an important role in winning the American Revolution. During the ceremony, Watertown’s newest historical marker was unveiled, honoring the Marquis de Lafayette, who served as a general in the American Army. On Sunday, April 19, the red sign with a blue border and white lettering was presented by Julien Icher, Founder & President of The Lafayette Trail Inc.

The marker celebrates a visit by Lafayette, said Marilynne Roach from the Historical Society of Watertown.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Multiple Shoplifters Arrested, Fake Trial Scam Costs $14K and Illegal Dumpings

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. April 12: A woman took $213 worth of merchandise from CVS on Mt. Auburn Street, and was seen leaving in a black Mercedes. April 13: Multiple pieces of furniture and a mattress were left in the dumpster at the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. April 13: A resident received a letter from Cambridge Savings Bank about a new bank account opened in the person’s name.

Sports

JIM’S VIEW: Boston Renegades Beep Baseball Team Plays At Fenway Park For The First Time

By |

The Boston Renegades, who practice in Watertown, got to play at Fenway Park for the first time on April 12. The beep baseball team has members who are visually impaired and others who are not, all of whom wear blindfolds. (Photo by Jim Vershbow)

BOSTON — Bravery. It comes in all shapes and sizes. Among the bravest, in my opinion, are those individuals who are forced to live their lives visually impaired. Sight is a precious thing, and not having it is one of the cruelest things you could inflict on any human being. Yet, over the years so many incredible techniques and equipment have been devised and developed to allow the visually impaired community to do things that those of us with sight take for granted. One of those things is the opportunity to play the great sport of baseball, more commonly known to the visually impaired community as Beep Baseball.