Letters

LETTER: Ambulance, Public Safety Should be a Priority in New City Positions

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Greetings Councilors:

Has anyone noticed the cumulative monetary effects of all the new positions created within the City Administration? And yet; a second ambulance, for the well-being and safety of the citizens of Watertown, is in jeopardy of not materializing for the coming fiscal year budget. The last paragraph of the 03/06/25 Committee on Budget and Fiscal Oversight (BFO) Report states as follows:

“At the conclusion of the discussion, the Manager shared that there is uncertainty around the FY26 budget,…..He proposed that the Fire Department and Committee continue exploring the proposal, given the  value of having an additional on-site ambulance service. However, he does not see this as a possibility for FY26 given where we are in the planning cycle, and the current forecast.” [Note: referral to BFO was made on 11/12/24]

So …, after the Council and City Manager hired over thirty new employees in two fiscal years: it seems as though the City is now in austerity mode. At the 2023 Memorial Day Parade; I spoke to several City Councilors. I strongly voiced my concerns against the then proposed increased level of new City hires, included in the FY 24 Budget.

Entertainment

Call for Local Artists to Be Part of the 2025 Watertown Arts Market

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Arts Market Committee:

The Watertown Business Coalition is excited to announce the fifth annual Watertown Arts Market will take place on Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 12:00 – 5:00pm at Arsenal Park. This celebratory event brings together an abundance of artists, arts and cultural organizations, and arts- and culture-related businesses based in or serving Watertown. More information is available at www.watertownartsmarket.com. 

Calling All Local Artists

We would love to have you join us for this event! Local artists of all media, nonprofit arts and culture organizations, and arts and culture businesses are invited to host a table at the Watertown Arts Market from 12:00 – 5:00pm on Saturday, August 9, 2025. The Watertown Arts Market is committed to including a diverse range of arts and culture offerings across mediums and cultures.

Government

Councilor Lisa Feltner Holding Annual Public Meeting

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Lisa Feltner seeks re-election as District B Town Councilor. All City Councilors must have an annual meeting to meet with the public according to the recent changes to the City Charter. District B City Councilor Lisa Feltner announced the date of her meeting. See info below. Please join City Councilor Lisa Feltner at her Annual City Councilor Meeting on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 5:30 PM at the Parker Annex at124 Watertown Street, 3rd floor IT Conference Training Room 3H.

Around Town

Watertown Recreation Has Options for April Break

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The Watertown Recreation Department has programs for children each day during the April School Break. See more information in the announcement sent out by the Recreation Department. April Break is Coming Soon! Check Out Your Options for the Week! Watertown Recreation Programming-Daily programming from 4/22-4/25;  including trips to Urban Air and Charlestown. FC Film Academy-Create fun, collaborative and exciting projects at the WCATVKnucklebones Skateboarding-An intro to skateboarding class at Arsenal ParkTrip to Fenway Park-Join the Recreation Staff on a trip tosee the Red Sox play at Fenway

See the Complete 2025 Spring/Summer Brochure here

Register for All Programs here!

Around Town

DPW Earth Day Event Will Include Styrofoam & Mattress Recycling, Paper Shredding & Get a Sapling

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The following information was provided by the Department of Public Works:

Watertown Public Works will be hosting an Earth Day Event on Saturday April 19, 2025, from 10:00am – 2:00pm at the Jewish Community Day School Parking Lot – 57 Stanley Ave, for Watertown residents only (bring your ID). The event includes paper shredding, $25 mattress recycling, free dehumidifier turn in, styrofoam collection, a clothing drive, finished compost/soil give away, and baby oak trees giveaway. Mattress Recycling

HandUp, a mattress recycler, will be offering a discount on mattress and box spring recycling. Each unit will be $25 (and the City will pay the other $25). This is a first come, first serve option, until the truck is full.

Letters

LETTER: People Should be Shouting About Federal Agents Taking People Off the Street

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Dear Editor,

Jews lived with Arabs Comfortably in the United States. Arabs lived with Jews Comfortably in the United States. Since coming down his golden escalator at Trump Tower on June 16, 2015, Trump has been fomenting hatred. Can you believe this has been going on for almost a decade? First it was All Muslims and Mexicans. Following the Unite the Right, president Donald Trump’s remarks about the rally generated negative responses.

Entertainment

Small Saves Makes Vacation Plans in This Week’s Comic

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James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”