Around Town

Drainage Installation at Mt. Auburn St. & Arlington St. Intersection to Begin This Week

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Work on the Mt. Auburn Street reconstruction project will restart in the New Year. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown. Drainage Installation Work ContinuesNewport Construction is continuing to complete the drainage installation work along Mount Auburn Street, next beginning their work at the Arlington Street intersection and moving toward Watertown Square on Monday, January 6, 2025. Work will happen between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Monday through Friday.

Around Town

Community Preservation Committee Recommends Funding Affordable Housing Project

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A rendering of the proposed Willow Park Housing development. An affordable housing project got a boost from the Watertown Community Preservation Committee, which voted to recommend that Community Preservation Act money be used to help fund the project in East Watertown. CPA funds come from a surcharge on Watertown property tax bills, and the money can be used for historic preservation, open space and outdoor recreation, and affordable housing projects. See details in the announcement from the CPC, below. At a special meeting on Dec.

Around Town

See What Title the Library Selected for the 2025 One Book, One Watertown

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The Watertown Free Public Library revealed the title for this year’s One Book, One Watertown. See the announcement below. What happens when we study delight? This year’s One Book, One Watertown selection, Ross Gay’s The Book of Delights, invites us to do just that. We hope you’ll take part in the Watertown Free Public Library’s annual community read! Ross Gay is many things – a New York Times bestselling poet and writer, a winner of prestigious awards, a teacher, a gardener, a skateboarder, a Midwesterner, a partner, a friend, a son, a pick up basketball player, a loiterer, a lover of high-fives, and a student of delight.

Entertainment

Wordle Paintings Will be on Display at Watertown Art Gallery

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Watertown gallery Storefront Art Projects will display Wordle paintings by Jeanne Williamson Ostroff from Jan. 4-25. There will be a reception on Saturday, Jan. 4, from 1-4 p.m.

Storefront Art Projects provided the following details:

Jeanne Williamson Ostroff works with patterns and boundaries inspired by construction fences, charts of her daily walks, and Wordle puzzles from the 

New York Times. She uses a combination of printing; painting; collage; and stitching; on vintage tablecloths and other fabric, in mixed-media pieces that range in size from 6 inches to 35 feet.

Around Town

Longtime Watertown Senior Center Employee Retiring

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Rae Grassia, second from right, is retiring after working for the City for 23 years, including most recently at the Senior Center. (Courtesy of Watertown Senior Center)

The Senior Center will be saying goodbye to longtime employee Rae Grassia, who has worked in the City of Watertown for nearly a quarter century. Before going to work with Watertown’s older adults, she worked at the Commander’s Mansion. The Senior Center included the following tribute in the January 2025 Senior Services Newsletter (read the whole newsletter by clicking here). Celebrating Rae’s Retirement!

Around Town

Stress Management Classes, Winter Warmer Meals and More from Live Well Watertown

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown’s Live Well Watertown:

Live Well offers a variety of free programs to enhance well-being, inspire an active lifestyle, and strengthen community connections. We are committed to providing opportunities that support, promote, and encourage physical, social/emotional, and community wellness.*

Registration is open for the January Mind-Body Health class series! 

~ Community Wellness Programs & Resources ~ 

2025 Mind-Body Monthly Series

Each month, we’ll offer a free 4-week class series to support your mind-body health. Classes will focus on reducing stress, developing strength and balance, enhancing social-emotional wellbeing, and more. Classes will be held at 12:00pm in the Savings Bank Room of the Watertown Public Library. January ~ 3-Body Qigong for Stress ManagementJanuary 7 through 28thTuesdays, 12:00 – 1:00pmWatertown Public Library, Savings Bank RoomRegister HERE

February ~ Smart Strength & BalanceWatch for registration in mid-January

March ~ Vitality Yoga 

April ~ Dancing into Wellness Coming late spring/summer ~ Yoga and Qigong in the Park

Warm Winter Meals 

Wednesday, January 29, 2025Watertown Public Library6:30 – 8:00pmRegister HERE (registration opens on January 15, 2025)

Join us for our annual winter program, featuring seasonal soups, stews, and other warm meals! This year’s program will be in collaboration with members of Watertown Community Gardens. Registration is required. ~ in collaboration with the Watertown Public Library.

Government

Meeting Posting: Public Shade Tree Removal Hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, 10 a.m.

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The City of Watertown provided the following notice (First published on Dec. 31, at 11:45 a.m.):

In accordance with Chapter 87 of the Massachusetts General Laws, a Public Shade Tree Removal Hearing will be held via Zoom

On: Tuesday, January 7th at 10:00AMAt: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/81211901286

This hearing is to consider the proposed removal of (1) one tree due to sewer reconstruction work. The species and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH)

One (1) Lacebark Elm (10”DBH)

Location: 547 Main Street

Requested by: Water and Sewer Department

Reason for hearing: Proposed removal due to sewer reconstruction work. Questions or concerns regarding this posting should be directed to the

Tree Warden’s office at (617) 972-6420 or email: mmicieli@watertown-ma.gov