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Watertown Parking Ban Lifted for Holidays

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

Watertown Police Department

Non Emergency Message

With the Holidays fast approaching which bring families together, the Watertown Police Department recognizes the additional need for overnight parking to accommodate visiting family members.

Chief Deveau wishes to announce that effective December 23^rd at 4pm Officers will NOT be enforcing the All Night Parking Ban, barring any snowfall that would require plowing or sanding. Should there be a snow event please refer to the town website for available off street parking locations.

Chief Deveau still encourages all homeowners to use available off street parking during the overnight hours. Enforcement of the All Night Parking Ban will resume at midnight on January 2, 2012.

Have a safe and happy holiday season.

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Haunted Police Station and Child ID Event

Friday, October 21st, 2011

HauntedPic The Watertown Police Department located at 552 Main Street will host a Haunted Police Station on Friday evening October 28th 2011 from 5:30PM – 7:30PM. You are invited to bring your child 12 years old and under to tour the haunted police station and trick or treat while you visit. As part of this event, The Watertown Police Department is teaming up with Sandra Mazzola of New York Life Insurance Company to provide FREE child identification cards. To receive an ID card, children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and must not be wearing face paint.
The Watertown Police Department would like to remind you of the following Halloween Safety Tips:

1) Go with a friend(s) and make sure to tell your family on which streets you will be Trick-or-Treating.
2) Be careful crossing the street and make sure to cross at corners. Do not cross between parked vehicles.
3) Have a parent or an adult inspect your candy before you eat it.
4) Use a flashlight to help you see and be seen.
5) Use reflective tape on your costume to be seen easily.
6) Choose a costume that you can easily walk in and choose make-up instead of a mask.Halloween 2011 Flyer orange

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Don’t get scammed by disaster relief efforts in Japan

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

Please follow this link to the FBI’s Tips on Avoiding Fraudulent Charitable Contribution Schemes.

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TOWN OF WATERTOWN ANNOUNCES TOWN-WIDE EMERGENCY PARKING BAN FEBRUARY 2, 2011

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

TOWN OF WATERTOWN
ANNOUNCES TOWN-WIDE
EMERGENCY PARKING BAN
FEBRUARY 2, 2011
As a result of this winter’s higher than normal accumulation of snow, streets in Watertown have become narrower with unusually high snow banks. This has made it difficult for emergency vehicles to pass through when responding to calls for assistance. Therefore, the Town must take action of banning on street parking 24 hours a day until further notice. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this action causes but this action is being taken strictly in the interest of public safety.
The normal winter overnight parking ban will remain in effect. However, other than the streets listed below, on street parking on all other secondary roads will be banned 24 hours a day until further notice. Any vehicles parked on secondary roads will be subject to tow.
Normal parking procedures shall be allowed on the following streets (arterial and collector ways):
Arsenal Street
No. Beacon Street
Main Street
Mt. Auburn Street
Galen Street
Watertown Street
Pleasant Street
Grove Street
Walnut Street
Nichols Avenue
Normal parking procedures shall be allowed in the business district areas only on the following streets:
Waverley Avenue
School Street
Bigelow Avenue
Dexter Avenue
Orchard Street
Waltham Street
Belmont Street
Arlington Street
Coolidge Avenue
The frequency and accumulations of this winter’s storms have proven to be challenging for everyone. The Town advises all residents to check in on neighbors who may need additional assistance such as the elderly, keep fire hydrants and catch basins clear of snow, keep sidewalks clear and passable and refrain from throwing snow into the roadways. Please remember that snow removal operations continue long after the end of the storm so while it may appear acceptable to park on the street, this has a negative effect on snow removal and emergency operations.
The continued cooperation by all residents and business owners helps keep Watertown a safe place for all.

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Styrofoam Recycling and Food Drive

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

The Watertown Police and Department of Public Works along with Watertown Citizens for Environmental Safety are co-sponsoring a styrofoam recycling and food drive on January 2, 2011 to benefit St Vincent de Paul’s Food Pantry. This event will be held at the DPW 124 Orchard Street from noon – 4 PM.

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New Snow Plowing Ordinance in Effect, enhanced penalties

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

Article II, Section 28 Placing snow or ice on a public way by a motor vehicle

Any person who operates a motor vehicle as defined by Chapter 90, section 1 of the Massachusetts General Laws, or any four wheeled motorized Loader, Backhoe, Bobcat or similar heavy equipment that is capable or designed for the throwing, pushing, placing, moving, or piling of any snow or ice, shall be prohibited from throwing, pushing, placing, moving, or piling of any snow or ice onto any public way, sidewalk, or median. A violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of $500.00 for a first offense in a calendar year, $750.00 for a second offense in a calendar year and $1,000.00 for a third or subsequent offense in a calendar year. The section excludes any motor vehicle being operated under contract with the City known as the Town of Watertown whose purpose and agreement under contract requires the pushing, placing, moving or piling of any snow or ice onto public ways, sidewalks and medians during the course of clearing streets and sidewalks of any accumulation of snow or ice. Any duly sworn Police Officer of the Watertown Police Department may issue a civil motor vehicle infraction citation to the operator of said motor vehicle if the offense is observed by the officer, or to the owner or record of the motor vehicle based on probable cause after investigation.

This ordinance has been accepted as of November 2, 2010

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Winter Parking Ban

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

TRAFFIC DIVISION
Dear Watertown Residents,

Fall has arrived and the weather is getting colder; signaling the coming of typical New England weather. Late November usually brings with it cold rains, a vast array of fallen leaves and then ice and snow. The Department of Public Works needs to have the streets clear of any parked vehicles in order to perform street cleaning, catch basin clearing, and the removal of snow and ice from the roads.

In preparation for the coming winter months, the Watertown Police Department again would like to remind motor vehicle owners of the “Winter Parking Ban” Ordinance. Starting Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 11:59 PM, the Winter Parking Ban will go into effect. The Ordinance states that no vehicle shall remain on any public way for more than one hour between the hours of 1AM and 6AM every day of the week until April 1, 2011. HP placard holders are not exempt from the parking ban, and all vehicles must be properly registered and insured.

There are several public property locations in Watertown including Schools where residents are allowed to park during the overnight hours. All locations are open to overnight parking at 7PM, but all vehicles must be removed no later than 7AM the following day. During a snow event, any vehicle parked at a school facility must be removed no later than 6AM to allow for snow removal by the town.

Locations: 1. Any metered space at a any of the Town’s Municipal Parking lots.
2. Any public school parking lot.
3. Public parking lot at Mt Auburn street and Boylston Streets.
4. Victory Field-Marion Road Ext.
5. Police station front lot only (23 spaces) at 552 Main Street.

In addition to the Winter Parking Ban, Commercial business owners are reminded that the property owner is responsible for the removal of any snow or ice from any sidewalk; improved or plain asphault, following any snow or ice storm. A 36 inch pathway must be cleared on all sidewalks that abut the commercial business and no snow or ice may be thrown or placed on any public way under any circumstances.

If you have any questions regarding the Winter parking Ban or snow removal by-laws, please feel free to contact Sgt. Joseph Deignan at 617-972-6547.

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Retirement and Promotions

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

Lieutenant Richard Shea will be retiring on September 30, 2010. He conducted his last roll call on Tuesday September 28, 2010. He was presented with an iPad from his co-workers. This marks the first “last” roll call in our new station. Lieutenant Shea had the honor of conducting the last official roll call at our former station. He retires with over 40 years of service to the Town of Watertown.
gift

On Wednesday September 29, 2010 Officer Joseph Kelly was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and Sergeant Daniel Unsworth was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. The swearing in ceremony was the first one conducted in the new Police station.

LtUnsworthSgtKelly