Around Town

Lane to be Closed on Charles River Road This Week

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The Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation announced lane closures on Charles River Road will for several days. See details in the DCR’s announcement below. Beginning on Sunday, September 15, 2024, and continuing through Saturday, September 21, 2024, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will close a lane on Charles River Road between Riverside Road and Galen Street in the City of Watertown from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. to accommodate National Grid gas main replacement work. Traffic patterns will be clearly marked, a police detail will be on site, and detour signage will be posted.        

WHERE: Charles River Road between Riverside Road and Galen Street in the City of Watertown 

WHEN: Sunday, September 15, 2024, – September 21, 2024, 8 p.m. – 4 a.m. 

Entertainment

Watertown Art Gallery Hosting Reception for Latest Show, “Sticks and Stones & Words”

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Storefront Art Projects in Watertown announced the opening of the new show, “Sticks and Stones & Words,” and the opening reception on Sept. 14. Come see the new group show, Sticks and Stones & Words at Storefront … Gail Barker ’s free-form knitting resembles peeled bark. 

Sally Brecher’s stick photographs look like fine ink drawings, and 

Rebecca Doughty creates personalities from small white-washed branches. 

John Christian Anderson’s pile of sticks have carved hands that reach to the sky. Joe Caruso draws seaweed covered boulders on paper mounted on aluminum.

Around Town

Watertown’s Fall Fire Hydrant Flushing to Begin Soon

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The Department of Public Works provided the following announcement:

The Water Department’s Annual Hydrant Fall Flushing Program is September 16 through October 24, 2024 between 7 to 11 p.m.

The purpose of flushing is to remove sediment build up in the water mains and to verify the safe operation of hydrants and valves. Flushing the system may cause discolored water. It is bacteriologically safe to drink, but unpleasant to look at. This situation can usually be resolved by running your cold water until it clears up. Locate the closest and lowest cold-water faucet in your building.

Government

See When the Rescheduled State of the City Will Take Place

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The City of Watertown announced the new date and location for the rescheduled State of the City Address by City Council President Mark Sideris and City Manager George Proakis. The State of the City had originally been scheduled to be a live broadcast from the Watertown Cable Access studio on Sept. 4, but was postponed because Proakis tested positive for COVID-19. The City provided the following announcement:

The Watertown State of the City address has been rescheduled for September 19, 2024, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. and will be held at the Watertown Free Public Library, at 123 Main St, in the Watertown Savings Bank Room (please note the new location). City Council President Mark Sideris and City Manager George Proakis will deliver the State of the City together, before transitioning to Q+A and answering resident-submitted questions.

Government

Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee Seeks New Participants

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee:

The Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee (WE3C) advises the City Council on issues of sustainability and energy use. We work closely with the Sustainability Manager and the Energy Manager to help create policies that will promote our Climate and Energy Plan. Most recently we have been involved in:

Creating a draft Building Emissions and Reduction Disclosure ordinance (BERDO) that will require larger buildings in Watertown to report their energy use each year

Developing the Climate and Energy Plan

Establishing Watertown Electricity Choice (WEC), an aggregate electrical service that provides Watertown with bulk-rate, greener electricity

WE3C helps the City develop programs that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide information to individuals and organizations in matters relating to energy conservation and emissions reduction. If you are interested in this work, please join us in our monthly meetings to hear what we do and, if desired, participate in the work of the Committee. Meetings are held via Zoom on the third Monday of each month at 7:00 pm.

Around Town

Mosesian Arts Members Exhibit Features Range of Works from the Natural World to Abstraction

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Claudia Ravaschiere’s “Journey of a Thousand Trees” is part of the Mosesian Center for the Arts’ Members Exhibition. The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:

The Mosesian Center for the Arts is excited to showcase a diverse body of art works from our current members. The upcoming exhibition gives our artist members the opportunity to demonstrate many and various ways to create work. In addition, artists explore a wide selection of themes. Several of the artists have turned to nature for inspiration and reflection.

Around Town

Residents Invited to Apply for Watertown Cultural Council Grants

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Watertown Cultural Council (WCC) invites Watertown residents to apply for Local Cultural Council (LCC) grants. 

The Watertown Cultural Council (WCC) is one of 355 Local Cultural Council Programs and serves Watertown. WCC is part of the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation annually supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and sciences. WCC is funded in large part by the state through the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). Watertown individuals, schools, and cultural organizations are eligible to apply for project support from WCC. Since its establishment in 1982, the WCC has distributed over $200,000 and funded over 500 programs that have enriched the lives of tens of thousands of community residents.

Government

Residents Wanted to Serve on Conservation, Historic District Commissions

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Watertown City Hall

The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Conservation Commission and the Historic District Commission. Interested applicants should complete and submit a Universal Application. Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission administers the MA Wetlands Protection Act (MGL, c.131, s.40) and regulations (310 CMR 10.00) and the Watertown Wetlands Ordinance (City Code c. 154).  In this capacity, they review plans for activities that may affect the City’s wetlands, manage open space, and address other matters relating to conservation protection and enhancement of watershed, open space, passive recreational, and natural resource areas. Candidates should have a background in or knowledge of environmental science, landscape design, horticulture, or a related field

Historic District Commission

The Historic District Commission administers the Mount Auburn Street Historic District.