Around Town

LETTER: Let’s Take More Time to Consider Watertown Housing Plan

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Lately, I’ve been attending public meetings, and I’ve been speaking with citizens about their thoughts and feelings about development plans in Watertown Square. The Watertown Square Plan and its Moving Parts:

As most of you know, in response to the State’s MBTA Communities Law, which requires Watertown to zone for 1701 new multifamily housing units, Watertown City Manager George Proakis and the Department of Community Development and Planning (DCDP) have been enthusiastically over-achieving. First, they proposed zoning for 6,320 new housing units instead of the State mandated 1701. They justified this momentous decision to more than triple the housing units by referring to a straw poll of 75 Watertown citizens and nonresidents who chose the 6,320 option. (See Democracy Dismantled One Poll and Survey at a Time, click here)

The choices that the City Manager and the DCDP gave the Watertown public for this vote:

6,320 housing units by right or

2,631 housing units by right

There was no option for 1,701 units – the number actually mandated by the MBTA zoning law.

Entertainment

Tanya Donelly & Bill Janovitz to Perform at Mosesian Arts Benefit Honoring Tom Perrotta & the Earfull Series

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The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:

Mosesian Center for the Arts will hold its annual fundraising benefit on Tuesday, May 21. Themed OUR STORIES, this year’s event will celebrate the stories and talents of several people who have been involved with the arts center in its nearly 22 history. Honorees of the evening’s Mosesian Awards include critically acclaimed novelist and screenwriter Tom Perrotta and the team behind the Earfull Series: Jen Trynin, Tim Huggins, Michael Creamer, and Jon Lupfer. The entertainment for the evening features Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Tanya Donelly (Throwing Muses/The Breeders/Belly) and musician and New York Times best-selling author Bill Janovitz (Buffalo Tom). Entertainment will also include a performance from Mosesian Arts’ upcoming Watertown Children’s Theatre production of Fiddler on the Roof Jr. Tickets include international hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, awards and entertainment on the main stage, and a selection of desserts. Guests will also be among the first to see the accompanying gallery exhibition, Entwined: Visual and Textual Narratives.

Around Town

Armenian Church Hosting Boston Children’s Hospital Blood Drive

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The following announcement came from Armenian Memorial Church:

Boston Children’s Hospital will host a blood drive at Armenian Memorial Church on Saturday, May 11. The event takes place at the church located at 32 Bigelow Ave. in Watertown from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 11. Donate today and be a part of the wonderful blessing and care that Boston Children’s Hospital Provides for children and their families! To make an appointment, log onto bostonchildrens.org/halfpints or call 617-355-6677.

Around Town

Perkins School Hosting Discussion of Housing and Benefits for Families of People with Disabilities

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The following announcement was provided by Mainstay Supportive Housing & Home Care:

Doreen Cummings, Director of Marketing and In-Home Services at Mainstay Supportive Housing & Home Care will share the organization’s expertise on affordable housing and public benefits for families of people with disabilities at the inaugural “Transition Planning: Preparing for the Future Starts Today” event hosted by Perkins School for the Blind on its Watertown Campus Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 9:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is open to family members, caregivers, and professionals. Mainstay provides supportive housing for adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Cummings works closely with Mainstay families to help coordinate a successful transition to living in a Mainstay home. “I’m honored to be included in this event at the Perkins School for the Blind,” said Cummings. “I look forward to sharing information about Mainstay and our supportive housing model.

Around Town

LETTER: Former Councilor Questions Addition to Traffic Commission

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Dear Committee on Public Safety:

Attn: City Councilors John M. Airasian, Chair; Emily Izzo, Vice Chair; and Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Sec. RE: Tuesday, 05/07/2024 Meeting at 6:00 P.M.

Discussion – Amendment to the Traffic Commission Ordinance

Herein, I reiterate my statement, with attachments, as read into the record at the First Public Forum of the 01/23/2024 City Council Meeting. On 01/22/2024, my opinions were also discussed with Councilor Caroline Bays. I offer additional comments and emphasis as follows:

1. Membership of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee is comprised of like-minded individuals in joint efforts to support bicyclists. I see no commitment to protect me, as an elder pedestrian, by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee.

Around Town

LETTER: Local State House Delegation Discusses Pending Bills, Housing, Transportation & More

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Photo by Rita ColafellaSusan Falkoff of Progressive Watertown moderated the discussion with Watertown’s State House delegation, from left, State Rep. Steve Owens, State Rep. John Lawn, and State Sen. Will Brownsberger. Last Sunday, Progressive Watertown held its All Member Meeting at the Apartments at the Coolidge School. The event included a discussion and Q&A with State Senator and President Pro Tempore William Brownsberger, seven-term State Representative John Lawn and two-term State Representative Steve Owens. 

The discussion was moderated by Progressive Watertown co-chair Susan Falkoff, and the initial intention was to learn where the Progressive Mass priority bills are in the legislative pipeline. This was a substantive discussion in which housing, the Watertown Square re-design, MBTA issues, the Make Polluters Pay initiative, and transparency in government were among the topics covered.  The audience saw a delegation that  is very aligned and has a very good working relationship with one another. The two representatives had just finished working long and hard on the state budget. The budget is now with the Senate. After introductions, the legislators were asked to talk briefly about an issue they are excited about working on.

Entertainment

Call for Artists for the 2024 Watertown Arts Market

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Arts Market:

The Watertown Business Coalition is delighted to announce the fourth annual Watertown Arts Market will take place on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, from 12-5 p.m., location is TBD. 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. 

About the Watertown Arts Market

The Watertown Arts Market is a free, family-friendly, outdoor event that features a diverse selection of artists, authors, creatives, musicians, arts and culture organizations, and businesses who serve Watertown. Attendees can wander through the Market, learning about the artistic and cultural offerings in Watertown.

Around Town

Watertown Group Heading to Mother’s Day Walk for Peace for 10th Straight Years

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown Walks for Peace:

Please join Watertown Walks for Peace on Sunday, May 12th for our TENTH consecutive year supporting the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute and its services to families and communities affected by gun violence. This is our tenth consecutive year participating in the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace in Dorchester. It was founded by Chaplain Clementina Chery, the mother of Louis D. Brown, who was killed by random gunfire in 1993. The Peace Institute is a leader as a center for healing and teaching. Visit our webpage to sign up to walk and/or donate to help achieve our fundraising goal of $5,000.