Government

City Hires Planners Who Will Focus on Economic Development & Open Space

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

We are thrilled to announce the hiring of two new Senior Planner positions in Watertown – Erin Rathe as the City’s Senior Planner for Economic Development and Michelle Moon as the City’s Senior Planner for Open Space. Erin joins Watertown from Middlesex 3 Coalition, where she served as the Communications Director, bringing with her extensive experience working on collaborative community projects. In Watertown, Erin will be a leader in implementing the City’s economic development strategies focused on small businesses, corridors, squares, and our emerging industry clusters. Michelle Moon will be joining the Watertown team in August after 6 years as the Principal and Founder of Civic Space Collaborative working on open space, greenways, placemaking, and public arts projects. As Watertown’s Senior Planner for Open Space, Michelle will be enhancing the character and quality of life in the city by ensuring we have high-quality streetscapes, parks, playgrounds, recreation, and open spaces.

Around Town

First Phase of Redevelopment of Watertown Mall to be Discussed at Community Meeting

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A view of one of the buildings in the Watertown Mall Transformation Project viewed from the Community Path from the project documents. The following announcement was posted on the City of Watertown’s website:

Alexandria Real Estate Equities (“ARE”) will be hosting a Public Information Meeting in keeping with the Watertown Zoning Ordinance. This notice is for the community meeting required prior to formal application to the Watertown Planning Board. The presentation will include an update, review and discussion of plans relating to the first phase, Phase 1, of the approved Master Plan of the Watertown Mall Transformation Project. The purpose of this meeting is to update the community as to Phase 1 of the Master Plan which provides a collaborative and innovative campus including life science, retail, residential, and community uses, as well as publicly accessible open spaces and streetscape improvements.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Chief Announces 2 Promotions

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The Watertown Police announced the promotion of Kenneth Swift and Mark Leitner. Pictured left to right: Captain Delaney, Sgt. Leitner, Chief Hanrahan, Lt. Swift and Captain Unsworth. (Courtesy of Watertown Police)

Two members of the Watertown Police Department have been promoted. See Police Chief Justin Hanrahan’s announcement.

Entertainment

Small Saves Faces the Music in This Week’s Cartoon

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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.”

Around Town

City Seeks Artists to Create Mural about Armenian Artist from Watertown

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The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

The Watertown Public Arts & Culture Committee seeks mural artists to submit qualifications to develop a proposal and install a mural along the Watertown Cambridge Greenway under Grove Street. The Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee (PACC) is collaborating with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to commission a mural along the Watertown-Cambridge Greenway that commemorates the life and work of Arshile Gorky, who, notably, forged the birth of Abstract Expressionism in the United States. The mural is an extension of a larger project by a Watertown working group to memorialize Gorky’s time in Watertown, MA, and his contribution to modern art, led jointly by resident Jack Dargon and the Public Arts and Culture Committee with support from The Armenian Museum of America, Mosesian Center for the Arts, and the Historical Society of Watertown. This project is supported by generous contributions from Mount Auburn Cemetery, the Watertown Community Foundation, the Watertown Cultural Council, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Artist selection for the 100 Years of Arshile Gorky mural has two phases.

Around Town

Watertown Company Hosting Public Pop-Up Market with Food Trucks, Artisans & Activities

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A pop-up market will be hosted by Addgene at the Linx Building in Watertown. (Courtesy of Boylston Properties)

The public is invited to attend a pop-up market with artisans, food, and family activities. The following announcement was provided by Addgene:

Addgene to Host SummerFest at Linx on Friday, July 12th 

Addgene’s second pop-up market is set to take place on Friday, July 12th from 2 to 6 p.m. at 490 Arsenal Way. This event is open to the public and will feature local artisans, food trucks, and activities for the whole family.

Business

Chamber’s July Events Includes Coffee Connect in Watertown

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The Charles River Regional Chamber has plenty going on in July, including hosting a networking event at Watertown’s Arsenal Yards. See more information provided by the Chamber. Coffee Connect at Arsenal Yards

Tues. July 16, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.130 Arsenal Yards Boulevard, WatertownFree open to members & those interested in learning more about the chamber

Join us outdoors on the green at Arsenal Yards for coffee, conversations and networking. A warm-weather favorite, this annual event is one you won’t want to miss! 

Typically drawing upwards of 100 attendees, our Coffee Connects are informal networking opportunities to start your day.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Awards $110K in Grants to 19 Non-Profits

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

In the largest grant cycle of the year, the Watertown Community Foundation has provided financial support to non-profits and programs across the city, so all Watertown’s residents continue to thrive in a vibrant, welcoming community. The Foundation awarded a total of $110,000 to 19 non-profit organizations and the City of Watertown. Funds will support the ongoing work of many local non-profit organizations, as well as specific programs, that prioritize work to address the needs of vulnerable residents, support public arts and culture, invest in environmental sustainability, promote youth development, and foster a sense of welcome and belonging for all who live and work in Watertown. Forty percent of this year’s funding went to support organizations working to meet the needs of some of Watertown’s most vulnerable residents. “We know residents in Watertown are struggling and continue to need support for basic needs including housing, food, mental health, emergency assistance and learning English.