Government

City Responds to Complaints About Highland Ave. Road Project

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Crews work on Highland Street over the summer as part of the ongoing road reconstruction project. A combination of weather and challenges with contractors have delayed a major road project in Watertown, said City Manager George Proakis, but there are steps being taken to prevent such delays. Last week, for the second meeting in a row, City Councilors got an earful from residents dissatisfied with various aspects of the Highland Avenue project. Many complained about the lengthy amount time that the project has taken to be completed (and more work still remains), and that sidewalks are often left torn up for an extended amout of time. Others said their driveways have been narrowed after years of having wider entrances, and some were upset about the safety of school children crossing at Copland Street to get to Cunniff Elementary School and at Lexington Street heading towards Watertown Middle School.

Sports

Watertown Field Hockey Team Withstands Newburyport Comeback to Win Thrilling State Final

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Watertown senior Molly Driscoll and the Raiders celebrate with the 2023 MIAA Div. 3 Field Hockey Championship Trophy. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

WORCESTER — Sometimes a moment leaves you grasping for words, unable to form full sentences. Several feelings flowing all at once — triumph, exhilaration, pride, a sense of relief, and pure joy. All you can do is just scream and give the nearest person a big hug.

Schools

Groundbreaking Ceremony Celebrates Start of Construction of Watertown’s Net Zero Energy High School

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Groundbreaking for the new Watertown High School included the City, School, and State officials. From left, Deputy City Administrator Emily Monea, WHS Principal Joel Giacobozzi, Superintendent Dede Galdston, City Council President Mark Sideris, State Rep. John Lawn, State Sen. Will Brownsberger, State Rep. Steve Owens, MSBA CEO Jim MacDonald, and Assistant City Manager Steve Magoon. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A celebration many years in the making took place in Watertown Thursday to mark the beginning of the creation of an asset that will last for generations: the new Watertown High School. Superintendent Dede Galdton said she recalls the wheels already being in motion when she arrived in the district in 2017 when she was told the goal was to build a new, state-of-the-art high school, along with three elementary schools. “We are just so excited to begin the work, not that the work hasn’t been going on for the last five or six years, but the actual demolition and rebuilding of this beautiful place,” Galdston said.

Sports

Watertown Field Hockey State Final Bound After Close Win Over Sandwich

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The Raiders celebrate after defeating Sandwich 1-0 in the State Semifinal. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

HINGHAM — In a battle of heavyweight field hockey programs, Watertown emerged victorious, 1-0, after a 60 minute struggle in the MIAA Div. 3 State Tournament Semifinal that went down to the final moments Wednesday night. For the third straight year, the Raiders battled Sandwich deep into the tournament. In 2021 and 2022 the clash came in the State Final, and this year it came one round before.

Government

Council Approves 2024 Tax Rates & Bills Will Go Down for Watertown Homeowners

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Charlie BreitroseA lot of money was raised and spent on the 2015 Watertown Election. Like Haley’s Comet or a cycle in baseball, a rarely seen event took place at the Watertown City Council meeting on Tuesday night: property taxes went down. Watertown homeowners will see a drop of around $1,000 in their annual taxes this year. The drop was primarily due to the Legislature passing special Home Rule legislation to allow Watertown to close a loophole in the law governing how much of the tax burden can be shifted from residential properties to commercial, industrial and personal (CIP) properties. The tax rate on residential properties dropped from $13.58 per $1,000 in assessed value in Fiscal Year 2023 to $11.70 in Fiscal Year 2024, said City Assessor Earl Smith.

Around Town

Watertown Social Services Resource Specialists Given Latino Excellence Awards at State House

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Wayside SSRS Clincians Maysa Ramos (second from left) and Sophia Suarez-Friedman (second from right) received Latino Excellence Awards from at the State House. Also pictured are State Rep. Steve Owens (right) Kimberley Hutter, Sen. Will Brownsberger’s District Director. (Courtesy of Wayside)

Watertown’s two Social Service Resource Specialists, Sophia Suarez-Friedman and Maysa Ramos, recently received the Latino Excellence Awards at the State House. Both work for the Wayside Youth & Family Support Network Multi Service Center, and their positions are funded by the City of Watertown. Every year, the Massachusetts Black & Latino Legislative Caucus hosts its Latino Excellence Awards to honor Latino leaders, agents of impact, and change makers who contribute to our communities.

Development

Planning Board Approves Master Plan for Watertown Mall Transformation

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The master plan for Alexandria Real Estate’s Watertown Mall Transformation was approved by the Planning Board. (Courtesy of Alexandria Real Estate)

The basic plan for remaking a large portion of Arsenal Street, including the Watertown Mall, has been approved by the Planning Board. Before the multiple lab buildings, residential units, retail, and garages can be built, however, developers will have to come back for approval of each building. Almost all of the project falls within Watertown’s Regional Mixed Use District (RMUD), which allows for additional height and density that most of the town but requires a master plan to be approved. On Nov.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Offensive Symbols Found on Road, Man Busted for OUI & Leaving Scene of an Accident

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Nov. 1, 9:45 a.m.: Police were called to Derby Road after a resident observed two swastikas drawn in the middle of the roadway with chalk. One was drawn in green chalk and was about four-feet-by-four-feet, a second was one-foot-by-one-foot. Some Jewish residents live on the street an were very upset by the symbols.