Around Town

LETTER: A Salute to a Local Vet on Vietnam War Veterans Day

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Dear Watertown Residents,

Today, March 29, is Vietnam War Veterans Day. I was informed of this by Tony Kelley last night at the Watertown Town Democratic Committee meeting. Tony is a veteran of the war and luckily came home to build a career and family in Watertown. As a teacher and volunteer for several causes, he has done right by this community in so many ways and continues to do so in his retirement. Bravo! His ask was that people say “Welcome Home” if they see a Vietnam Veteran today. Many have never heard that expression to this day. As the granddaughter of a Russian POW, forced into conscription by the fascist Italian government of WWII, I know from my mother what my grandfather experienced upon his return to “normal” life.

Government

City Offices, DPW, Senior Center Closing Early on Good Friday

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The City of Watertown announced that some municipal facilities will close early on Good Friday. The City release said:

Please be aware that the Department of Public Works office is open at 7:00 AM and closes at noon, and City Hall and Senior Center are open at 8:30 AM and are closed at 1 PM, in observance of Good Friday on Friday, March 29, 2024.

Around Town

Watertown Housing Authority Teams with Non-Profit to Revitalize the Willow Park Property

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The Watertown Housing Authority will team with Preservation of Affordable Housing to renovate the Willow Park property. (Courtesy of the WHA)

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown. Housing Authority:

The Watertown Housing Authority (WHA) announced that it will be partnering with the Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) to redevelop the Willow Park State Public Housing property located in East Watertown. The POAH team was selected earlier this month by the WHA’s Board of Commissioners and Selection Committee after reviewing the proposals. “I want to thank everyone on the pre-development team for their hard work.

Around Town

Charles River Chamber Seeks Environment Committee Members

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The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Regional Chamber:

The Charles River Chamber’s Environment Committee is looking to expand its membership in 2024. If you work for a chamber member business and are passionate about sustainably and helping businesses become greener, contact Chamber President Greg Reibman greibman@charlesriverchamber.com. This a forum to share ideas and best practices, not a place to promote your company’s specific products or services. The committee meets via Zoom in the third Thursday of the month at 9 a.m.

Around Town

Watertown Library Will Host Eclipse Viewing Party & Free “Space Week” Events

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The Watertown Library announced a series of events leading up to the April 8th solar eclipse. The following information was provided by the Library:

April 1–8 is Space Week at the Watertown Free Public Library! Are you ready for the solar eclipse? Yes or no, you are invited to discover fun and educational library events, for all ages, in the first week of April. After learning all about space, join WFPL staff as we safely watch the Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8th in Saltonstall Park! 

Need eclipse glasses?

Sports

Players & Buddies Wanted for Watertown Challenger Baseball

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The players and buddies in the Watertown Challenger Baseball program, which is for players with physical and mental challenges. (Photo courtesy of Watertown Challenger Baseball). The following announcement was provided by Watertown Challenger Baseball:

Registration is officially open for the 2024 Challenger baseball season. 

The first day will be Sunday April 28 10 a.m. at BB&N field (next to Filippello Park). 

Watertown Challenger Baseball program allows children with special needs to participate in little league baseball in a safe environment.  We are eagerly looking for players & “buddies” to help athletes.  

What is Challenger Baseball? The Challenger Baseball League is a program for developmentally and physically challenged youth (age 8-21), helping them to enjoy the full benefits of baseball in an athletic environment structured to their abilities.

Around Town

Registration Open for Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Public Safety Academy

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseA cadet in the Middlesex Youth Public Safety Academy uses the fire hose as at Saltonstall Park. The following announcement was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian is pleased to announce registration for the 2024 Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) is now open. Now in its 24th year, YPSA is an educational and affordable summer program that is open to all children living in Middlesex County ages 8-12. Older children have the opportunity to become a Counselor-in-Training.  The program is comprised of five, one-week camps and is held at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Training Academy in Chelmsford. Registration for each week is $100 per child and includes transportation to and from designated bus stops; daily breakfast and lunch; and a graduation ceremony held each Friday. 

“YPSA is a proud tradition here at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Koutoujian.

Around Town

OP-ED: Democracy Dismantled, One Poll and Survey at a Time

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A continuation of “When Bad Ideas Happen to Good Neighbors”

By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

A news article just came out on March 17, 2024 in a real estate publication, Banker and Tradesman. Watertown is famous! Here’s why:

“In Watertown Square, consultants recommend zoning areas around the square for building heights ranging from three to five stories, with the tallest heights near the five corners intersection. The proposal could generate over 6,320 housing units at full buildout, compared with the 1,701 required by the state’s formula for Watertown.”

And here’s HAW’s official response in that article:

“You don’t hire those consultants if you just want to do paper compliance,” said Sam Ghilardi, a steering committee member of the Housing For All Watertown resident group that supports additional multifamily development. “We are thrilled with what has been proposed so far.”