Retiring Planning Director Looks Back on His 17 Years in Watertown

Steve Magoon

Steve Magoon has seen the transformation of large sections of Watertown, and played a major role in the creation of some of the City’s most important planning documents during his time working for the City. Magoon will retire at the end of January after more than 17 years as director of the Department of Community Development and Planning. Magoon arrived in Watertown after working for four years in Gloucester, his first job in Massachusetts. His career began in his home state of Maryland, where he rose up to become the planning director in Charles County. He still remembers his first impression of Watertown.

Watertown Cancelling Contract for Flock License Plate Reading Cameras

Watertown will cancel the contract with Flock Safety to install license plate reading cameras in the City, and City Manager George Proakis told the City Council he wants to continue to have discussions about when it is appropriate for the Watertown Police to use technology in its investigations. The City signed a contract last year with Flock with plans to install eight cameras. Proakis announced the end of the contract at the Jan. 27 City Council meeting, but said he would like the City Council to discuss use of technology by the Watertown Police Department. The cameras became a topic of discussion in recent months as more communities install them, and others have removed them due to concerns about how the data collected by the cameras is being used, and who has access to it.

School Committee Adopts Resolution Supporting, Protecting Immigrant Students & Families

On Monday, the School Committee adopted a resolution which states that the Watertown Public Schools have a “strong commitment to protecting the rights of immigrant students and their families.” The resolution also ensures certain protections including that the Watertown Public Schools (WPS) will not ask about immigration status, will not coordinate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); will not allow ICE agents on to WPS property without a criminal warrant from a federal judge, and will not share student records with ICE without parent, a guardian or a court order. In addition, the resolution said, “WPS ensures that staff will only send students home with caregivers/family members or friends who have been approved by the child’s parent or guardian, and encourages parents and guardians to keep emergency contact information up-to-date by contacting their child’s school.” The School Committee unanimously approved the resolution at the Jan. 26 meeting.

Watertown Firefighters Douse Chimney Fire on Sunday

Watertown firefighters put out a fire in a chimney on Mt. Auburn Street. (Photo from the Watertown Fire Department)

The Watertown Fire Department used special equipment to battle a fire that started in a chimney on Sunday on Mt. Auburn Street, and also sent out a warning for residents with fireplaces. The WFD sent out the following announcement on social media:

This morning companies extinguished a chimney fire on Mount Auburn Street.

Schools, City Buildings Closed Monday Due to Snow Storm

The City of Watertown and the Watertown Public Schools announced closures on Monday due to the snow storm beginning Sunday and continuing into Monday, which could drop up to 2 feet of snow on the area. See details below. Watertown Schools

The Watertown Public Schools will have a snow day for Monday, Jan. 26, according to the following announcement from the WPS website:

“With the snow expected to begin today, with 18–24 inches forecast by Monday. All Watertown Public Schools and offices will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 26, due to unsafe travel conditions.

Residents Express Concerns About Using Flock License Plate Reading Cameras in Watertown

Members of the Watertown Police Department discussed different technology used by the WPD, including a proposal to use the Flock Safety cameras. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A room full of residents expressed their concerns about the Watertown Police Department’s proposed use of Flock Safety cameras in town, with the biggest issues about how the images collected by the license plate capturing system would be used outside Watertown and who would have access. As the debate over whether cameras should be used in the City, legislation at the state level could help reduce concerns. The Flock cameras were one of several technologies available to the Watertown Police discussed during the Tech Talk at Hosmer School on Wednesday night. While body cameras, tasers, an AI-assisted police bulletin network, and other equipment interested the 30 or so in attendance, the Flock cameras garnered the most attention in the meeting that lasted nearly three hours.