Police/Fire

UPDATED: Former Watertown Police Officer Wins Sexual Discrimination Suit, Awarded More than $4 Million

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(Note: the total payout with interest has been updated.)

A Middlesex Superior Court jury ruled in favor of former Watertown Police Det. Kathleen Donohue in the civil suit for sexual discrimination and retaliation while she was a member of the Watertown Police Department. She was awarded more than $4 million in damages, back pay and future earnings. Donohue alleged that she was subject to jokes, remarks, and vulgar displays from members of the Watertown Police, and also testified that she had a relationship with a superior officer who controller her employment and he did not disclose the relationship. She said she reported the incidents to the Town of Watertown’s Personnel Department but the only result she saw was a one-hour course on sexual discrimination in the workplace.

Around Town

Council Wants to Start Moxley Courts Project Soon, Worried Neighbors May Oppose Street Hockey Rink

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CDM SmithA drawing of the proposed layout for the courts and a street hockey rink at Moxley Field. The City Council discussed plans to renovate the courts at Moxley Field, but one feature — a street hockey rink — caused concerns among the Councilors. The City’s goal is to complete the work by the fall of 2022, before the rest of Moxley Field goes under construction to be the temporary home of Watertown High School while the new school is built.

Planning for the courts began a few years ago, said Glenn Howard of CDM Smith, who made a presentation to the Council in November 2017. The idea of replacing one of the tennis courts with a street hockey court —‚ which could also be used for soccer, lacrosse or other sports — came up then. A public walk through of the site occurred in December 2017, and Council President Mark Sideris recalled that some neighbors opposed the idea of having a hockey rink there.

Government

Watertown Courts, Other Rec Facilities Remain Closed Despite Start of Phase 2

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The basketball courts at Casey Park are among the facilities that remain closed in Watertown even with the beginning of Phase 2 of the Governor’s reopening plan. Recreation Director Peter Centola had to turn away some disappointed people hoping to make use of Watertown’s basketball courts and other facilities that are allowed to open under Phase 2 of the Governor’s reopening plan. While Monday was the first day that many recreation facilities were allowed to reopen, Centola said that the ultimate decision lies with Town officials. “Courts, dog park, the spray park, all things said we were closed continue to be closed until you hear differently from the Town of Watertown,” Centola said. Centola said he has not heard when the other facilities will reopen.

Courts

Recreation Department Releases Complete List of Closed Facilities

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The tot lot installed at the 552 Main Street Park. Some Watertown recreation department facilities, such as parks and fields, will reopen for passive use next week, but many other amenities will remain closed. In Phase 1 of Gov. Baker’s reopening plan, Watertown parks and playing fields will be reopening on June 3 only to Watertown residents, but no congregating, group activities or games will be allowed. Recreation Department Director Peter Centola said that the following Recreation Department amenities will remain closed and will be considered for reopening when the Commonwealth of Massachusetts enters Phase 2 of the Reopening Plan:

basketball courtstennis courtsdog parkspicnic tables and areas playgrounds/tot lotsmultipurpose courtsskateboard parkthe turf field at Victory Field