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Residents Wanted to Serve on Cable Access Board of Directors

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City Manager George J. Proakis announced he is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Cable Access Corporation – Board of Directors. Interested applicants should complete and submit a Universal Application. Board/Commission/Committee:  Cable Access Corporation – Board of Directors

Description:  The Watertown Cable Access Corporation (WCA-TV) is a non-profit corporation established to ensure access to cable television channels and facilities; provide public education and training regarding the use of facilities and channels; assist in the development of educational, cultural, and informational programming, including working with local institutions and organizations to share their resources; and to operate channels and programming space. The WCA-TV mission is to provide coverage of local events, City meetings, and news, as well as access to our equipment and facility to engage our community and amplify their voices. City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Cable Access Corporation – Board of Directors.

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Join Watertown’s Community Engagement Specialist for a Chat

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Waterotwn:

Join Watertown Community Engagement Specialist, Tyler Cote for the first in a series of sit-down coffee hours, at Watertown Chats. Tyler will be at Tresca’s Eating Place, at 25 Church Street on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 from 9:30am-11am for anyone to stop by and chat with him about Watertown. Whether you have a question, an idea, concern, or just looking to speak with a member of the City, you can stop by anytime between 9:30am and 11am and meet Tyler. To learn more about the Chats and to keep up to date on the schedule, visit watertown-ma.gov/1343/Watertown-Chats

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See What Will be Closed for July Fourth in Watertown

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The City of Watertown announced the following closings on July 4, 2024:

Watertown City Hall, Parker Annex, Department of Public Works Offices, Senior Center and the Watertown Free Public Library are closed on Thursday, July 4, 2024 in observance of Independence Day. Please be aware that due to the Independence Day holiday on Thursday, July 4, 2024, trash and recycling pickup will be delayed one day. The pickup schedule is Monday, July 1-Wednesday, July 3, 2024 and Friday, July 5-Saturday, July 6, 2024. A holiday postpones pickup by one day.

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Patriots Foundation Honors Watertown Man for Years of Giving Blind People Chance to Play Baseball

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Patriots Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett (far left) and Gillette’s VP of Communications & Community Affairs, Global Grooming, Kara Buckley, congratulate Bryan Grillo from the Association of Blind Citizens Boston Renegades for being selected as a 2024 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winner. During the June 6 luncheon, the Kraft family, the Patriots Foundation and Gillette awarded $275,000 in grants to 26 New England nonprofits. The Association of Blind Citizens Boston Renegades received a $10,000 grant in honor of Bryan’s volunteer efforts. (photo courtesy of Eric J. Adler/New England Patriots)

The following announcement was provided by the New England Patriots Foundation:

On Thursday, June 6, the Kraft Family and New England Patriots Foundation celebrated the 2024 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award Winners. They recognized 26 volunteers for their contributions to the New England community at an awards ceremony at Gillette Stadium.

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MassDOT Advises Travelers to Plan Ahead for Busy Fourth of July Travel

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The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is advising travelers to plan ahead and expect increased volumes of traffic for the Fourth of July holiday period.  If traveling, MassDOT recommends utilizing “real time” travel tools, checking holiday schedules for public transportation, and planning trip departure times and routes based on available information.    

“With the upcoming Fourth of July holiday approaching, we’re encouraging drivers to plan ahead and make use of MassDOT resources when planning holiday travel,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “Travelers should also be aware that the monthlong closure of the Sumner Tunnel will begin on Friday, July 5, and are encouraged to consult MassDOT materials on detours and mitigation options. All of us at MassDOT wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July holiday.”  

All Commonwealth of Massachusetts offices are closed on Thursday, July 4, including Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) customer service locations. Many RMV transactions can be done online:  www.mass.gov/RMV.  In addition, any resident who is a member of AAA can also make appointments at AAA locations for some Registry transactions.  

The Sumner Tunnel in Boston will be closed seven days a week, from Friday, July 5 to Monday, August 5. During this time, traffic will be diverted through other signed detour routes.  This information can be found on the project website at  www.mass.gov/sumner-tunnel 

Using traffic data, MassDOT has created a traffic forecast for the holiday weekend.

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Watertown Girl Scout Given Award for First Aid Instruction

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The following announcement was provided by Girl Scouts of Eastern Mass.:

Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA), the largest girl serving organization in Massachusetts, is proud to recognize Bianca Sciocchetti of Watertown with the GSEMA President’s Award for the GSEMA First Aid Instructors. GSEMA recently celebrated the dedication and skills of its 4,000 active volunteers at its annual Volunteer and Donor Recognition Celebration, which took place on Sunday, May 19, 2024. The 2024 class of GSEMA Volunteer Recognition Honorees included over 130 volunteers. Bianca was awarded with the GSEMA President’s Award for the GSEMA First Aid Instructors. The GSEMA President’s Award recognizes the efforts of a service team, committee, or volunteer team whose exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience surpassed team goals and resulted in significant, measurable impact toward reaching the council’s overall goals.

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LETTER: Reflections on Deliberations by City Council & Planning Board on Watertown Square Area Plan

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I’ve participated in every public meeting since October 2023 and I have publicly supported a renaissance for our city center through the Watertown Square Area Plan … both the 4 Corners streetscape and the proposed zoning changes to enable new housing of at least 3,300 unit capacity. I call these “imaginary units” because the concept of unit capacity assumes that existing landowners will tear down whatever exists on their property today and build housing up to the plan limits (an unlikely scenario at best). I strongly oppose the suggestion to limit “imaginary units” to 1701, either as a so-called “Phase1” or as a final number. The phased approach suggested by one Planning Board member seemslike a thinly veiled attempt to kick the controversy down the road in hopes that a highernumber will ultimately be rejected. However, the 1,701 number is too low to achieve our goalsto make Watertown Square a vibrant, attractive city center and an economically viable place forsmall businesses.