Around Town

State Rep. Lawn Honored by Groups Advocating for the Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Community

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Courtesy PhotoLeo Sarkissian, Executive Director of the Arc of Massachusetts, presenting State Rep. John J. Lawn, Jr. (D-Watertown) with a hand drawn award from a self-advocate within the organization at a ceremony held at the Massachusetts State House. The following announcement was provided by State Rep. John Lawn’s office:

State Rep. John J. Lawn, Jr. (D – Watertown) was named the Legislator of the Year Award by The Arc of Massachusetts (the Arc) and Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC). The award, presented during their annual reception marking the commencement of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Month, celebrates Rep. Lawn’s unwavering commitment to and advocacy for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) community. The ceremony was held on March 6 in the Great Hall of Flags at the Massachusetts State House. “We are honored to recognize Rep. John Lawn as this year’s Legislator of the Year Award recipient,” said Leo V. Sarkissian, Executive Director of the Arc of Massachusetts.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Shoplifter Caught with Items from Multiple Stores, Electric Bike Stolen

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. April 12, 12:30 p.m.: A woman was seen rolling a shopping cart through Carter’s and filled it with children’s clothing before leaving without paying. The woman’s identity was determined, and the 33-year-old Boston woman was summoned to Waltham District Court on a charge of larceny under $1,200. April 12: A resident received a call from someone claiming to be a representative of National Grid, and told the resident that she owed $900 and if she did not pay her electricity would be shut off. The person told the resident to buy three $300 gift cards from either Target or Walmart.

Sports

1 Watertown Wrestler First to Compete at Nationals, Another Places at Tourney in New York

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Watertown’s Tommy Dicker, third from left, won at match at the High School Nationals in Virginia. Here he is shown on the podium at the MIAA Div. 3 State Meet after finishing second. (Courtesy of Watertown Athletics)

A pair of Watertown wrestlers continued their seasons past the state meet, and one made the first appearance and collected the first win by a Raider wrestler at High School Nationals. Senior Tommy Dicker traveled to Virginia Beach, Virginia, on April 5 and 6 to compete at the NHSCA High School Nationals.

Around Town

A Dining Fixture Near Watertown Square is a Hidden Treasure to be (Re)Discovered

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Courtesy of MolanaMolana has been serving Persian food in Watertown since 1999. A dining destination that has attracted hungry people from around New England for a quarter century is a hidden gem in Watertown, but the owners want locals to discover — or rediscover – their restaurant. Molana can be found on Spring Street, steps from the Watertown Square intersection. Owners Mohsen Tehrani and Hadi Eghbali started restaurant, the first one serving Persian cuisine in New England in 1999, and word spread among the Iranian community around the region. “People come from Hartford, Stamford, Connecticut.

Schools

Watertown Schools to Add Music Teachers, Tutors & Field Trip Aid in FY25 Budget

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Watertown’s school budget will increase by $2 million, and additions include music teachers, math and literacy tutors, English as a second language teachers, and financial assistance to help all students go on field trips and school trips. The 2024-25 Watertown Public Schools budget will increase by 3.5 percent from the current year, for a total budget of $59.599 million. City Manager George Proakis said the Watertown Public Schools will receive a 3.5 percent increase when he presented the preliminary budget in October. Superintendent Dede Galdston said the budget represents a level services budget, which maintains the services provided by the district the prior year. This includes salary increases, and additional positions to maintain services.

Around Town

Watertown Cable’s New Studios Showcased at Grand Opening, Public Can Use the Facility & Equipment

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseWatertown Cable staff gave the public a look around their new studio during the grand opening on April 11. After years of planning, and months of construction, Watertown Cable Access Television officially opened its new and improved studios in the basement of the Phillips Building. On April 11, WCA-TV invited the public to take a look at the new facility, which features a new studio, control room, editing suite, and a brand new addition: a podcasting studio. While Watertown Cable may be known for broadcasting government meetings, producing news shows, and covering local sports, Executive Director Andrea Santopietro said WCA-TV facilities are for the community, too. “All of the spaces that you will see today are available to you to create.

Sports

See How Runners From Watertown Finished in the 2024 Boston Marathon

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The fastest Watertown runner in the 2024 Boston Marathon finished in under 2 hours 35 minutes on Monday, and the fastest female runner finished in the top 115 in the women’s race. Thirty residents of Watertown started the 128th Boston Marathon. As of 5:13 p.m., 28 of the local runners had finished the race. Michael Creedon was the top male finisher, and completed the 26.2 miles in 2:34:49. He was the 207th fastest man in the race and 229th fastest overall.

Schools

Superintendent Given Four Year Extension Which Will Take Her to Over a Decade in Watertown

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Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston. The School Committee thanked Superintendent Dede Galdston for her efforts in Watertown this week when they approved an extension to her contract. On April 8, the School Committee unanimously approved a four-year extension for Galdston. Her salary increased by more than $26,000 to $220,000 in the first year of the contract, with future year’s salaries to be set by the School Committee after her annual review. Galdston said she looked forward to finishing some of the initiatives that have started in her time in the Watertown Public Schools.