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Voters will head to the polls Tuesday for the 2024 Massachusetts State Primary. Democrats have a race with a local candidate and Republicans will select the candidate for U.S. Senate. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. See the polling locations below.
The entrance to the new Watertown High School is taking shape. (Photo from Watertown School Building Committee meeting)
Progress has been made on the new Watertown High School, and the goal of having the building produce all the energy needed to operate is closer to becoming a reality. When the high school project was approved, it was designed to be Net Zero energy and also meet the LEED Platinum standards for energy efficiency and sustainability. Since being approved in June 2021, the project budget has increased significantly mostly due to the rise in construction costs. City Manager George Proakis told the City Council that the project would be completed, with a net zero energy building, and not borrow more than $150 million to cover the cost.
Poli Moronari started Nova Fitness in 2020, and has built a loyal following. When Poli Moronari received an offer to take over a fitness space in Watertown, she took the opportunity to take her personal training business to the next level and start a fitness studio for women. Moronari started Nova Fitness, at 222 Arsenal St., in 2020 and has built a following. She offers Pilates instruction, weight lifting with machines and exercises with kettlebells and dumbells, but one thing that sets her apart, Moranari said, is that focuses on each person’s individual needs. The most she has in a class at one time is six people, and sometimes all six are working on the same thing while other times each person has their own workout.
Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston was interviewed by WBZ Channel 4 about hiring teachers. (Screenshot from WBZ)
On Monday, Superintendent Dede Galdston welcomed 42 teachers who are new to the district during the orientation at Hosmer Elementary School. When school opens on Sept. 3, Watertown will be in a position that is enviable to other communities. According to WBZ Channel 4, there are nearly 4,800 open teaching positions in Massachusetts, and the TV station approached the Watertown Schools while doing the story, Galdston said.
Watertown Police Officer Frank Forde. (Courtesy of Watertown Police)
A Watertown Police officer bought a family a new refrigerator after learning that a family was in a difficult situation and could not afford to replace their broken one. Officer Frank Forde learned that the family’s refrigerator stopped working, and that the father has a serious medical condition and he could not work, Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan in a post on the WPD Facebook account. “Officer Forde started a collection around the police station with numerous department members contributing and quickly raised money to purchase a new refrigerator for the family,” Hanrahan said. “This is just one example of the amazing work being done by the officers of the Watertown Police Department everyday.”
The candidates for District 3 Governor’s Council: Marilyn Petitto Devaney, left, and Mara Dolan. Democrats will have a contested race that includes a local candidate to vote on during the Sept. 3 State Primary, the District 3 Governor’s Councilor, or “Councilor” as it appears on the ballot. Watertown resident and incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney is challenged by Concord’s Mara Dolan, who lived in Watertown for a time. The same two candidates faced each other in 2022, and Petitto Devaney won after receiving nearly 51 percent of the votes.
Watertown’s annual State of the City address will take place on Sept. 4, 2024. The first one was held last August. The event is required to be held annually with the changes to the City Charter were approved by voters in 2021. The City of Watertown provided the following information:
The Watertown State of the City address will be broadcasted live from WCA-TV’s studio on September 4, 2024 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. City Council President Mark Sideris and City Manager George Proakis will deliver the State of the City together, before transitioning to Q+A and answering resident-submitted questions.
Watch live online, or on Comcast 22 and RCN 13.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Aug. 8, 10:43 p.m.: An officer at Church and Main streets saw a Toyota SUV go through a red light. The driver was pulled over and when the officer spoke with the driver it was discovered the man had a warrant for his arrest. Hufeyin Alaskan, 21, of Waltham, was arrested for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.