Schools

Work Moving Ahead on New High School, Likely to Extend Into the Evening Some Days

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The steel frame of the gymnasium at the new Watertown School before the slab is placed on the area in early April. (Courtesy of Vertex)

The following announcement was provided by Watertown’s project management firm, Vertex:

The new WHS Project Site remains busy as the site preparation and steel detailing continues. Above is a current view of the steel erection progress (view of the new gymnasium space) ahead of our upcoming slab on deck placement in this area next week. We have several slab placements on the schedule for next week proposed for the following dates:

Monday April 1st : Gymnasium

Wednesday April 3rd

Thursday April 4th

These slab placements are beginning at 7 a.m. on each of the above dates. The duration required for the slabs to be finished is dependent on the outside air temperate and weather conditions on the day of placement.

Police/Fire

Fire Department Awards Medals to Two Men Who Helped Prevent a Serious Blaze

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Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson congratulates Omar Omolade, middle, and Amitabh Agrawal for receiving the Medal of Commendation for their quick actions that prevented a serious fire on Galen Street in January. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The quick action of a pair of men in a barbershop on Galen Street early on a January morning prevented serious damage in a building that is home to multiple businesses. This week, the Watertown Fire Department awarded them with a Fire Service Awards. On Jan. 18, 2024, at about 6:45 a.m., a fire alarm went off for a restaurant on Galen Street, and fire crews arrived to find the restaurant’s steel door had already been opened by Omar Omolade of 1st Yard Barbers, and customer Amitabh Agrawal.

Government

City Manager: Next Watertown Square Meeting a Key One, Discusses How MBTA Communities Zoning Works

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The Watertown Square Area Plan meeting on April 4 will not be the last meeting in the process, City Manager George Proakis told the City Council Tuesday, but it will be an important point in the redesign of the intersection and the City’s effort to meet the MBTA Law requirements. Proakis also explained what the zoning changes would and would not do. The next meeting in the Watertown Square Area Plan process will be held at 66 Galen Street on Thursday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m. Proakis said this will be the sixth meeting held by the City in the process and it will be a key one. “This particular meeting is important for us. We will be presenting one idea for where to move forward on streetscape, one on where to move forward on zoning,” Proakis said.

Around Town

Novelist Celeste Ng discusses Writing & Democracy at Event Hosted by Watertown Library

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Author Celeste Ng spoke about her book, “Our Missing Hearts,” at the Watertown Free Public Library. The novel is the library’s 2024 selection for its One Book, One Watertown program. (Courtesy of the Watertown Library)

Bestselling author Celeste Ng, whose most recent novel explored dystopian fears increasingly echoed by real-life headlines, told library patrons in Watertown on March 21 that she holds hope for the future and a belief in the possibilities of art. Ng, who lives in Cambridge, came to Watertown Free Public Library to discuss her novel “Our Missing Hearts,” the library’s 2024 selection for its One Book, One Watertown program. Each year, the library suggests a book for city residents to read, and hosts programs to foster a community-wide discussion around the book’s themes.

Around Town

Watertown Library Will Host Eclipse Viewing Party & Free “Space Week” Events

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The Watertown Library announced a series of events leading up to the April 8th solar eclipse. The following information was provided by the Library:

April 1–8 is Space Week at the Watertown Free Public Library! Are you ready for the solar eclipse? Yes or no, you are invited to discover fun and educational library events, for all ages, in the first week of April. After learning all about space, join WFPL staff as we safely watch the Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8th in Saltonstall Park! 

Need eclipse glasses?

Around Town

Developer of Galen Street Life Science Building Hopeful of Filling Space as Industry Improves

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Elkus Manfredi ArchitectsAn illustration of the view of the life sciences building at 66 Galen St. from Water Street

One of Watertown’s newest life science buildings remains unoccupied, but the developer of the building south of the Charles River believes the trends are looking better in the industry and hopes to have tenants in the near future. Members of the public got a look inside of 66 Galen Street in late February during an event hosted by the Charles River Regional Chamber, and there will be another chance (a free one) to visit the building in early April. Jodie Zussman, President and CEO of Boston Development Group, said the company saw the rising prospects of Watertown as a life science hub. The project was a long effort but she is pleased with the final result.

“It’s exactly what we envisioned.

Schools

Familiar Face Returning to Watertown to Lead Effort to Create Universal PreK Program

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Theresa McGuinness has been appointed as Principal of Watertown’s Early Steps School. (Contributed Photo)

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Public Schools:

Watertown Public Schools is pleased to announce that Dr. Theresa McGuinness will become the principal of the Early Steps School, starting this summer. Dr. McGuinness returns to the district as the City of Watertown and Watertown Public Schools open a free Pre-K program for 4-year-olds in the fall of 2024. Watertown will become one of the only municipalities in Massachusetts to offer no-cost Pre-K education when the program launches. “I’m very excited at this opportunity to return to WPS as Principal of Early Steps and to work closely with the fine educators and support staff there – particularly given the plan to provide free universal PreKindergarten beginning in the fall of 2024,” said Dr. McGuinness.

Police/Fire

Man Charged with Having Unlicensed Firearm After Road Rage Incident in Watertown

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A Watertown man faces a series of charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of an firearm without a serial number, after being involved in a road rage incident on Wednesday. Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan has announced Friday that Ali Alananzeh, 23, of Watertown, was arraigned today in connection with the road rage incident that occurred on March 20 at the intersection of Grove Street and Coolidge Avenue. The incident was reported at about 1 a.m. on Thursday. “The victim reported that he was turning onto Grove Street when the driver of another vehicle, later identified as Mr. Ali Alananzeh, swerved in front him and blocked his vehicle,” said the Watertown Police announcement. “The driver then exited the vehicle before reportedly displayed a knife and proceeding to open the trunk of his vehicle and threatened to retrieve a gun and shoot the victim.