Around Town

Watertown Receives Grant to Focus on Cutting Vehicle Trips to & from Recent Developments

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The Watertown Transportation Management Association (TMA) and the City of Watertown received a joint grant to assist efforts to cut the number of motor vehicle trips to and from work or residential developments. Gov. Maura Healey announced the Watertown grant and 17 others as part of Climate Week. The Watertown TMA and the City of Watertown will receive $78,788 from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to enhance Transportation Demand Management (TDM) implementation and monitoring by increasing staff time focused on monitoring the organizations in Watertown required to participate in TDMs.

Since 2017, new developments with 10 or more residential units or 10,000 sq. ft. or more of commercial and/or industrial space must create a TDM.

Around Town

Fit-Z’s Bar and Grille Will Close at the End of September

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Fit-Z’s Bar and Grille, a fixture on the Westside of Watertown since 2007, will be closing at the end of September. Co-owner Jim Fitzgerald wrote the following post on Facebook on Sept. 15. “I’m sure that most of you have heard that we are selling the bar . It looks like our last night will be Monday September 30th.

Around Town

Watertown Violin Teacher Featured in Little Local Conversations Podcast

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Watertown’s Nicole Kootz teaches violin and viola. Watertown’s Nicole Kootz teaches violin and viola and discussed what the Suzuki Method and Alexander Technique are in the “Little Local Conversations” podcast. In “Little Local Conversations,” discover the people, places, stories, and ideas of Watertown. Creator and Watertown resident Matt Hanna has conversations with various businesses owners, community leaders, creatives, and other interesting folks in Watertown to learn about what they do and get to know a bit about the people behind the work. 

Hanna wrote:

“Meet Nicole Kootz! She runs Bright Strings Studio here in Watertown where she teaches violin and viola lessons using the Suzuki Method and Alexander Technique.

Around Town

UPS Customer Service Center in Watertown Has Closed

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The UPS Customer Service Center in Watertown has closed and the company encouraged customers to use other locations, such as the UPS Store in Watertown Square. The Customer Service Center was located at 76 Arlington St. and was a place to pick up and drop off packages. Mitch Polikoff, UPS Director of Media Relations confirmed the closing. “We are closing select UPS Customer Centers to better align with our customers’ preferences for more convenient and easily accessible drop-off options,” Polikoff said.

Around Town

Learn About the Redesigns of Bemis, How & Sullivan Parks at Upcoming Open House

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Residents can find out about final designs, new equipment, and amenities proposed for three parks around Watertown: Bemis, How and Sullivan parks. On Wednesday, Oct. 9 from 4-6:30 p.m. the City of Watertown will host an open house at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St. in the Lucia Mastrangelo Room. “Stop by the Library anytime to meet Watertown’s Open Space Planner and review the final designs of Bemis, How and Sullivan Parks!”

Around Town

See Photos from a Damp and Fun-Filled 2024 Faire on the Square

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Umbrellas and rain slickers were the fashion choices for the 2024 Faire on the Square. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The 2024 edition of Watertown’s Faire on the Square was a wet one, but those who braved the elements enjoyed plenty of activities, food, music, and booths featuring local businesses and organizations. Among the visitors to Saltonstall Park was Congresswoman Katherine Clark, who toured the Faire with Watertown elected officials and was interviewed by Watertown Cable Access Television. Watertown Cable Access spoke with Congresswoman Katherine Clark. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The entertainment stage featured Steve Tashjian Ensemble, School of Rock, Chris Cote and his band of These Guys, and demonstrations by Watertown Police Officer Andrew Civetti and K-9 Zane.