Around Town

LETTER: Watertown Housing Group Supports Proposed Watertown Square Area Plan

By |

As advocates for housing availability and affordability in Watertown, we have closely followed the Watertown Square Area Plan process since its kickoff last Fall. Throughout the kitchen table conversations, online surveys, and countless community meetings that we’ve participated in, we’ve watched a plan emerge that manages to balance a wide range of perspectives. As a result, the core elements of the plan garner support from two-thirds of recent survey respondents. Supporting the Plan

While we believe that significantly more work needs to be done to address the housing crisis, this plan represents an important step toward allowing more housing in our city. We strongly urge all who support more housing, a more walkable and bikeable community, and a more vibrant downtown to attend this Thursday’s meeting at the Middle School and speak in support of it.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Reduced Barriers to Playing Youth Sports

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

For the fourth year, the Watertown Community Foundation has provided financial support to Watertown’s youth sports leagues so any child can participate, regardless of ability to pay. With support from The Bilezikian Family Foundation, NESN, and Arsenal Yards, the Foundation awarded a total of $9,000. Grantees include Watertown’s Challenger Baseball Program, Youth Baseball and Softball Program, Youth Basketball Program, Youth Football and Cheer Program, and Youth Hockey. Summer registration is currently open for many of these programs.

For families in need, youth sports league registration fees can be an insurmountable barrier. In the 2024 season WCF’s youth sport grants will cover fees for up to 60 families with children who would like to play, enabling participation regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

Around Town

Town Wide Yard Sale is This Weekend, See a List of Participating Homes

By |

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Watertown Community Education’s 2024 Town Wide Yard Sale is Saturday, June 8, 2024 & Sunday June 9, 2024, rain or shine. There will not be a rain date. Come & find your neighbors’ hidden treasures! Household Items, Children’s Items, Furniture, Antiques, Clothing, Jewelry, Toys, Collectibles, Records, Vintage Goods, Handmade Crafts, and more! See the list of participating houses.

Around Town

OP-ED: Casting a Better Vision for Galen Street

By |

As Southside Residents, we are excited to see the Watertown Square Area Plan’s investments in our neighborhood. We appreciate the Watertown Square Area Plan’s focus on making this area a destination. That kind of investment is sorely needed—and the residents of this neighborhood deserve better. Since the arrival of the Mass Turnpike back in the 1960’s, Galen Street has become an extended Pike frontage road for Exit 17, catering towards cut through commuters from Belmont and beyond, rather than Watertown Southside residents. As a result, Galen Street is overloaded with gas stations and tire shops, all oriented towards commuters.

Around Town

Watertown’s Fourth Annual Juneteenth Celebration Will be on June 16

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Juneteenth Committee:

Don’t Forget Watertown’s 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration is Sunday June 16 from 2-4 p.m. at 114 Riverside St. in Watertown.  

The Juneteenth Committee and Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment invite you to come and celebrate our Black African American history with popsicles, bingo, music and more!  

“Juneteenth may mark just one moment in the struggle for emancipation, but the holiday gives us an occasion to reflect on the profound contributions of enslaved Black Americans to the cause of human freedom.” —Jamelle Bouie

Any questions email Teo and Ephiteo@volunteer.outlook.com or Tiffany trosewhite@gmail.com. 

Around Town

LETTER: It’s All About Control and What Our Community Wants

By |

I recently read the article in Watertown News, dated May 16, 2024, entitled: What to Expect at Next Watertown Square Meeting, Manager will Also Discuss Zoning on Prior Day. The meeting at Watertown Middle School auditorium (68 Waverley Avenue) on June 13th at 6:00 p.m. that is highlighted is an important one. More to come on that. Let me quote Mr. Proakis in that Watertown News article: “(The MBTA Communities Law number) is not a production goal, it is not a production expectation. That is not, you know, thou shalt build 1,700 units or some other number — 3,100 units or whatever it might be,” Proakis said.