Fiscal 2018 Budget

Town Manager Unveils FY2018 Budget Which Includes Five New Positions

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The Fiscal Year 2018 Watertown budget presented by Town Manager Michael Driscoll is nearly 4 percent higher than Fiscal 2017 and includes a 5 percent increase for the Watertown Public Schools and new positions for a handful of municipal departments, including the Police Department and Library. Tuesday night Driscoll presented the budget to the Town Council for the 25th time, see the presentation here. The town budget totals $132.6 million, which is $5 million more than the previous year. Local real estate and personal property taxes total $94.8 million and State Aide accounts for $12.1 million. Local receipts – inspection fees, motor vehicle excise taxes and hotel excise taxes – provide $11.9 million for the budget.

Around Town

Still Time to Sign Up for the Watertown Police Finish Strong 5K Race

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The fourth annual Watertown Police Department Finish Strong 5K race will be held on April 30, and there is still time to sign up. The WPD put out the following announcement:

We cordially invite you to participate in the 4th annual Watertown Police Finish Strong 5K road race and walk. This event will support the Watertown Police Relief Committee and the Watertown Police Supervisors Association. The Watertown Police Relief Association was organized in 1936 and changed to the Watertown Police Relief Committee in 2008. Our membership is comprised of sworn personnel, regardless of rank, as well as all retired officers.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Department Swears In 3 New Officers

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The Watertown Police Department is pleased to announce the swearing-
in of three new officers into its ranks. They are Officers Brendan Wojtowicz, Allison Grizey, and Catherine Dello Russo. The officers attended a six-month training academy at the MBTA Transit Police Academy in Quincy. All three officers will participate in an extensive field-training program before receiving their final assignments with the Patrol Division. The swearing-in ceremony took place on March 24, 2017 in the Watertown Police Department Community Room.

Facebook

Facebook Argument Turns Into Fracas in Watertown Square

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A disagreement on social media turned into a police incident when two men from Watertown decided they should decide their argument IRL. At 11:10 p.m. on March 23, Watertown Police received a report of a two men fighting in the parking lot next to Dunkin’ Donuts in Watertown Square. The men were yelling at each other when police arrived and they were separated, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “Both had consistent stories. They were involved in an argument on Facebook,” O’Connor said.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Caught Breaking into Cars at Library, Apartment Broken Into

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrest
Jan. 31, 6:10 p.m.: A witness reported seeing a man walking up to vehicles in the parking lot behind the Watertown Free Public Library and trying to open their doors. Police found a man fitting the description of the suspect in the library and spoke with him. The suspect said he thought it was his friend’s car and when he opened the door there was someone inside.

Around Town

Boys and Girls Can Join Cops and Rec Indoor Soccer Program

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The Watertown Police Department and the Recreation Department team up to put on the Cops and Rec Futsal program for middle school girls and boys, the Recreation Department announced. Futsal is played between two teams of five players each, one of whom is the goalkeeper. This indoor soccer is fast paced and great for the winter session. The first week we will teach the game and then make teams for the remainder of the weeks. The focus of the program is to provide a fun, positive atmosphere while teaching the game of Indoor Soccer and the excitement of being a part of a team.

Citizens Police Academy

OP-ED: Watertown Citizen Police Academy an Eye-Opening Experience

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By Ruth Thomasian

“Understanding through Education.” That’s how Chief Michael Lawn announced the reintroduction of the Watertown Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy in the fall of 2016. Two decades ago Watertown’s first Citizen Police Academy began, and ran from 1996-2008, with Capt. Ray Dupuis as its Director. Well over 200 Watertown citizens enrolled in those 10-week classes, held in the old police station’s makeshift classroom. It was entirely funded with federal grants. Students gave it rave reviews, but when funding ended, so did the Academy.