Around Town

LETTER: Open Letter of Gratitude to Former WHS Coach John Barbati

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By Mark RoopenianWatertown High School 1976

Coach Barbati,

No one has impacted my life and who I am today more than you. You taught me toughness, perseverance, preparation, poise, work ethic, and most importantly, that nothing is impossible. You saw something in me that I didn’t even see in myself. How else could a skinny Armenian kid headed to Bates College get a full football scholarship to Boston College? Because you cared enough to put your hard-earned reputation on the line with BC Head Coach Joe Yukica.

Around Town

LETTER: Install Turf at Victory Field Oval, Field House Should be Part of Renovation

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Dear current and past friends of Watertown, as well as future families of all athletes! Phases 2 and 3 of the Victory field track, which includes turf in the oval, along with new tennis and basketball courts, are up for final consideration. Almost 20 years ago, I stood in front of the community along with Councilor Vinny Piccirilli and the full Council of Watertown expressing the importance and benefits of a field turf facility encompassing the football and baseball areas. The design and implementation of Phase 1 of the Victory Field complex has been nothing short of spectacular for our athletes, our physical education department, and for the recreational activities of the entire community. In addition, since the installation of the field turf in Phase 1, the technology and safety of the turf installed at that time have improved considerably.

Entertainment

Check Out This Week’s Small Saves 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.”

Government

Planning Board Sends Recommends Zoning Amendments to City Council; Hearing Continues Nov. 14

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The zoning map recommended by the Planning Board on October 30, 2024. The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Zoning Hearing is set to continue on November 14, 2024, at 6 PM with the City Council in the City Council Chamber at 149 Main Street. You can access the agenda, and you can join this hybrid meeting online by using this zoom link. What is the City Council Discussing at the Hearing? The Planning Board unanimously voted to recommend a package of zoning amendments to the City Council on October 30, 2024.

Around Town

Organizers of Watertown Dragon Boat Team Seeking Participants for 2025

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Join the Watertown Dragon Boat Team – rowers, volunteers, sponsors are wanted. See more information provided by the Watertown Dragon Boat Team, below. Whether you’re an experienced paddler or a first-timer, we welcome all enthusiasts to be part of this unforgettable experience of teamwork and cultural celebration. If rowing isn’t your forte, there are still numerous ways to be part of this cultural celebration:

Volunteers/Organizers: We welcome individuals interested in contributing their time and skills to assist in organizing this landmark event. Contact us at caawatertown@gmail.com to express your interest.

Around Town

Mt. Auburn Street Paving Work This Weekend Will Include Lane Closures & Parking Restrictions

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The City of Watertown provided an update on the Mt. Auburn Street road project, including impacts from the weekend paving work. Paving started last week on the first 500 feet from the Cambridge line. Paving work is scheduled to continue from Wednesday, November 6, 2024, through Friday, November 8, 2024, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Additionally, paving will take place on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., as the construction schedule was adjusted to pause work on Election Day. This paving work will include Mount Auburn Street between the Cambridge Line and Arlington Street, as well as the side street entrances in these locations. For the list of side street entrances included in this phase, please visit the Mount Auburn website for more details.

Around Town

Historical Society Hosting Film About Armenian Vets of WWII & Women on the Home Front

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The Historical Society of Watertown & The Watertown Free Public Library announced they will present: “Our Boys, Armenian-American Veterans of World War II and the Women of the Home Front” a film by Roger Hagopian & Tom Spera on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, 2 p.m., Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Savings Bank Room, 123 Main St Watertown MA 02472

In 2005, the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, Tom Spera, the son of a veteran of the war, was determined to find a way to honor Armenian-American soldiers who had served their country. He collaborated with filmmaker Roger Hagopian to produce the “Our Boys” video, featuring oral histories interspersed with personal and historical photographs from the wartime period. The film’s interviewees attend the Armenian Memorial Church in Watertown and the First Armenian Church of Belmont. These men – some barely out of high school at the time – reflect upon the bombing of Pearl Harbor, their induction into the service, their harrowing journeys aboard troop transport ships through rough seas, correspondence with their families back home, poignant and humorous moments, and near-death experiences during combat.

Government

Residents Wanted to Serve on Watertown Board of Health

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The City seeks people with backgrounds in public health, medical or a related field to apply to serve on the Watertown Board of Health. See the announcement below. City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Board of Health. Interested applicants should complete and submit a Universal Application. The Board of Health fulfills its duties under MGL 111, 26-33 and other sections including enforcement of the state Sanitary and Environmental Codes, reporting diseases dangerous to the public health, and enforcement of other applicable state and local laws and regulations.