Around Town

LETTER: A Chilly Reception From Housing Advocates

By |

By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Let’s go back to April 25, 2024, when I visited the April Watertown Democratic Town Committee Meeting. The Watertown Democratic Town Committee Meeting:

One of my public meeting stops was the Watertown Democratic Town Committee (WDTC) Meeting to see what they had on their minds. I noticed that Dan Pritchard, one of the four founders of Housing for All Watertown (HAW) was going to be speaking. I was interested. I want to thank the WDTC for being so welcoming to this “Independent” voter.

Around Town

LETTER: Meeting TONIGHT on Future of Former Trampoline Park

By |

There is a VERY IMPORTANT meeting of the Planning Board tonight, May 8, at 7 p.m. regarding the 10-30 Manley Way proposed development. This is the site of the former Launch Trampoline Park and the Boston Rhythmic Dance Studio, which has been vacant for some time. There was a community meeting on September 5, 2023 that almost never happened. It was found out that our city rules needed to be amended so that a conversion of a 95,000 building required a community meeting for any type of change in such a building, not in just a newly planned one. About 70 plus residents attended this meeting via Zoom and the myriad of questions raised was quite impressive.

Around Town

Watertown Pride 2024 Parade Route, Festival at Saltonstall Park

By |

The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

A parade and festival for Watertown Pride is planned for Sunday, June 2, 2024. All are invited to meet at the Moxley parking lot beginning at 11:45 a.m. or join in along the parade route! The parade will start at noon and lead to a festival at Saltonstall Field until 5 p.m.

Watertown Pride 2024: Loud, Proud, Island-Bound is an inclusive, all-ages event that celebrates our LGBTQIA+ communities. 

It is free and open to everyone on Sunday, June 2, 2024 from 12 to 5 p.m.The event kicks off with a parade at noon that will begin at Moxley parking lot and travel along the Watertown Community Path to a festival at Saltonstall Park. 

There will also be a Tipsy Tea Party on June 23 at the Commander’s Mansion from 11:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m. See more information about this and the other Watertown Pride 2024 events at www.WatertownPride.com

Around Town

Watertown Peace Group Hosting “Understanding Palestine & Witnessing Reality” Educational Event

By |

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment:

The Peace and Security Working Group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment announces “Understanding Palestine & Witnessing Reality” on May 11 at 2 p.m. at the Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church, 80 Mt. Auburn St. The free educational event features Rev. Ashlee West-Laird who will share her experiences on a recent solidarity delegation to the Holy Land. Currently pastor at the First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain, Rev. Ashlee has also served as the Southern Baptist chaplain at Harvard University and worked in Jerusalem with Sabeel Liberation Theology Center and the Middle East Council of Churches. Short films providing context about the current situation in Gaza and the West Bank will also be shown.

Around Town

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

By |

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.

Around Town

Armenian Church Hosting Boston Children’s Hospital Blood Drive

By |

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

By |

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

By |

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.