Around Town

Watertown Staff at MAB Community Services Receive $5,000 Maxo Joseph Excellence in Direct Care Awards

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Romil Sanon and Bennett Anyanwu, who work at two different MAB community-based residences in Watertown,each received the 2024 Max Joseph Award. The following announcement was provided by MAB Community Services:

MAB Community Services, a leading social service agency supporting nearly 2,000 people with visual impairment, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and acquired brain injuries across Massachusetts, has announced the 11 honorees of the 2024 Maxo Joseph Excellence in Direct Care Awards, who received $2,000, $5,000, or $10,000 awards. Romil Sanon and Bennett Anyanwu, who work at two different MAB community-based residences in Watertown, each received a$5,000 award. Two anonymous donors recently contributed a total of $110,000 to support the continuation of this unique awards program. Established in 2021, the Maxo Joseph Awards recognize direct care staff in MAB’s Adult Disability Services division who go above and beyond in their commitment to the participants they support.

Government

City Hires Watertown’s First Director of Community Design

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City Manager George Proakis is excited to announce that the City of Watertown has hired Erika Oliver Jerram as the City of Watertown’s new Director of Community Design!  

Erika is a certified professional planner with over 20 years of experience in both the private sector and municipal planning. She joins Watertown after working for the Town of Billerica, where she was the Director of Planning and Community Development and led the Town’s efforts in zoning, open space design, and economic development. Prior to her time in Billerica, Erika previously held roles in the Planning and Community Development in Framingham, and as an Associate Planner with Sasaki Associates in Watertown.  

When Erika begins on Monday, August 26, 2024, she will be leading the newly formed Community Design Division within the Community Development and Planning Department.

Around Town

Watertown Resident Named 2024-2025 GBH/Becton Fellow

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The following announcement was provided by the WGBH:

Boston public media producer GBH has awarded fellowships to eight outstanding producers, recognizing excellence, potential, and creativity, including Watertown resident Louise Flannery. The recipients of the 2024 – 2025 Fellowship Awards are Alyson Roseman, Flannery, Hannah Reale, and Alexi Cohan for the Becton Fellowship; Kathleen DiPerna, Shirin Jaafari, and Jessica Andrews for the Margret and Hans Rey Fellowship; and Michelle Mizner for the Peter S. McGhee Fellowship. With the fellowship grants, recipients can explore future professional development opportunities. “These eight producers have demonstrated a dedication to creating exceptional content. From promoting STEM learning in early childhood to covering overseas conflicts, each fellow has set a high standard for creativity and innovation,” said GBH President and CEO Susan Goldberg.

Obituaries

OBIT: Mark Santamaria, 64, Animal Lover, Worked with Special Needs Adults

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Mark Santamaria

Mark Santamaria, age 64, of Watertown, Massachusetts, sadly passed away on June 22, 2024, unexpectedly. 

Mark is preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Virginia Santamaria of Monument Beach, Cape Cod, and survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Christine Mason of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, his aunt Joanne Santamaria Ferguson of Upton, Massachusetts, and his niece and nephew Michele Taylor and Daniel Mason of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Mark grew up in Newton and went to Newton High School. He graduated from Worcester State College with a bachelor’s degree Human Services. He spent many years taking care of adults with special needs. Mark was an avid animal lover, but especially loved his cat, Little who will miss him very much.

Around Town

Watertown Using AARP Grant to Start Senior Housing Stabilization Program

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Watertown Department of Senior Services is proud to launch their Senior Housing Stabilization Program thanks to a 2024 AARP Community Challenge Grant they received. This compassionate initiative is dedicated to providing crucial support and education to seniors and their families facing housing instability in Watertown, MA. Their mission is to ensure that older adults aged 60 years or older can age in place with dignity and security, fostering intergenerational, livable communities where residents of all ages and backgrounds thrive together. This program will run out of the City of Watertown’s MA Department of Senior Services. The Department will provide financial assistance and education on this program and other housing support services eligible to Watertown seniors.

Entertainment

Small Saves’ Coach Deals with the Media in This Week’s Comic

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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

Council President & City Manager to Present Annual State of the City Address in September

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Watertown’s annual State of the City address will take place on Sept. 4, 2024. The first one was held last August. The event is required to be held annually with the changes to the City Charter were approved by voters in 2021. The City of Watertown provided the following information:

The Watertown State of the City address will be broadcasted live from WCA-TV’s studio on September 4, 2024 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. 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. 

Watch live online, or on Comcast 22 and RCN 13.

Government

Residents Can Apply to Attend Citizens’ Legislative Seminar

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Massachusetts State House

The following announcement was provided by Sen. Will Brownsberger:

Senator Will Brownsberger invites constituents to apply for the Fall 2024 Citizens’ Legislative Seminar (CLS), a free Senate program that educates the public on the functions of the Massachusetts State Legislature. The seminar is on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 29 and 30. 

Nominees from this office must be residents of Senator Brownsberger’s district and be able to attend both days of the seminar. The CLS, offered twice a year, aims to better educate the public on the functions of the Massachusetts State Legislature. The curriculum includes the history of the legislature, the legislative process, the state budget, and a simulated legislative hearing and a simulated Senate Session held in the Senate Chamber where participants use what they have learned to actively experience the legislative process. Presentations are made by Senators and Senate staff.