Around Town

See the Special Broadcast on Zoning Featuring the City Manager

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The City of Watertown provided the following information:

In case you missed it! Watch City Manager George Proakis’s special broadcast on zoning produced by WCA-TV and the City of Watertown! George presented live on WCA-TV about how zoning works, how it can benefit communities, and its limits as well, before answering questions submitted directly by Watertown residents. If you liked this broadcast and would like to see more like it, please let us know via email at tcote@watertown-ma.gov so that we can explore new topics and presentations to bring to the Watertown community in the future!

Around Town

Road Near High School Construction Site Closing for 2 Days

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown’s project management firm, Vertex:

As we continue to progress the new high school project, Brait Builders and their subcontractors are planning to continue new utility work in Broadway this Thursday 6/6 and Friday 6/7.  This will require that we close the road to through traffic from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. from the intersection of Broadway and Columbia Street to Russell Avenue. 

Residents of that area of the street will have access to and from their driveways. The contractor will have someone there to ensure safe access as needed. As a quick update, today the project reaches another milestone as we install the topping off beam on the Common Street side of the building. Things continue to progress well overall and we move towards being enclosed and weathertight this Fall.

Around Town

City Surveying Residents About Options for Sullivan Playground

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The City of Watertown seeks input about how to improve Sullivan Playground, located at the corner of Mt. Auburn and Arlington streets. The survey includes the type of playground equipment, as well as how people want to use the space. The City sent out the following announcement:

Take the community survey to let us know what you want to see with the Sullivan Playground Renovation! 

Review features, play structures, and design options that matter the most to you! Your voice matters in making the playground the best it could possibly be for you and the community. 

Around Town

Take a Trip Down the Charles River on the Proposed Water Shuttle Route, Grant Being Sought

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Drew Rollert, right, and Will Congram hope to be making trips down the Charles River from Watertown Square to Beacon Hill in Boston on a water shuttle. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

On a sunny spring day, the two men behind the effort to create a water shuttle from Watertown to Boston hopped on a small motor boat to give Watertown News a preview of what a trip down the Charles River would be like. Drew Rollert, who came up with the idea after being stuck in traffic trying to get to Fenway Park from Watertown as the waters of the Charles River remained quiet, hopes to start a pilot shuttle by the fall of 2024. The company, called Wada Hoppah, has applied for a grant to get the electric-powered shuttle sailing. The Watertown Yacht Club with the Arsenal on the Charles behind it.

Around Town

Author Shares His Story About Living in Syria, Fleeing His Country

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Author Jamal Saeed shared his story in an event hosted by the Watertown Refugee Support Group (Contributed Photo)

The following piece was provided by the Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group:

On Tuesday, May 28 at the Watertown Free Public Library, audiences were treated to an inspiring evening with Syrian writer, editor, artist, activist and humanitarian, Jamal Saeed. Saeed spoke about his published memoir, “My Road From Damascus,” which describes fond memories of growing up in Syria, alternating with descriptions of the unimaginable pain he suffered during 12 years of torture in Syrian prisons under the Assad regime. In 2013 he fled with his wife and two sons first to Dubai, and then emigrated to Canada in 2016, where they were embraced and supported by a Canadian writers organization. They are now permanent residents of Kingston, Ontario. Rufaida al Khabbaz reads excerpts from her husband’s memoir.

Around Town

Now Open: City of Watertown’s 311 Service Center, Taking Calls and Emails

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The City of Watertown announced the start of the 311 Service Center, see the announcement below. We are happy to announce that today, Monday June 3, 2024, the City of Watertown’s 311 Service Center is officially open. By dialing 311, you’ll be able to reach a live representative who can answer informational questions, process non-emergency requests, or direct you to the appropriate department. The service center aims to enhance the quality of customer service provided by the City and will adhere to the highest standards. We are excited about the launch and the benefits it will bring to our community.

Around Town

Celebrate the Herring Run with Charles River Watershed Association

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The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Watershed Association:

Join Charles River Watershed Association for the 2024 Watertown Dam Herring Festival! Come and celebrate the annual migration of Alewife, Blueback Herring, and American Shad from the ocean into the Charles River. This exciting event will feature live music, community art activities, an Indigenous performance, and engaging activities suitable for all ages. We hope to see you there! RSVP HERE

Join guided walks around the Watertown Dam and explore several booths, including a fishing demonstration by Trout Unlimited, a River of Dreams fish trivia booth, and an art build led by local artist Kari Percival.