Around Town

Weekend Work, Drainage Work, Traffic Signal Installations, and More on Mt. Auburn St.

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The City of Watertown provided the following update about the road construction project on Mt. Auburn Street:

Weekend Work – March 8, 2025 – Pedestrian Signal Electrical Work

Saturday, March 8, 2025 Newport Construction and the City of Watertown will be performing electrical work to relocate pedestrian walking signals to prepare for signal preparation work at the Mount Auburn Street and Arlington Street intersection (see map below)

Traffic ImpactsTemporary lane shifts may occur and work will take place on the sidewalks, but will remain open and accessible. Parking ImpactsNo parking impacts

Drainage Installation Work Continues between Arlington St. and Bigelow Ave. Newport Construction is continuing to complete the drainage installation work eastbound between Arlington Street and Bigelow Avenue.

Obituaries

OBIT: Daniel Gerado Baldi, 87, Grew Up in Town, Taught for Many Years

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Daniel G. Baldi

Daniel Gerado Baldi, 87, passed peacefully after a period of declining health on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. A devoted husband, Dan was predeceased by his beloved wife of 59 years, Marcia, in November 2020. He is survived by his three children and five grandchildren: Mark and Liz Baldi of West Boylston, MA, Linda Baldi of Brockton, MA, and Jill and Mark Freeman of Bridgewater, MA; his grandchildren, Rachael (Baldi) Rodrigues and her husband Stephen, Benjamin Baldi, Amanda Baldi, Ethan Freeman, and Kate Freeman. He is also survived by his sister Bonnie Covell of Florida, brother in-law Tom Sinclair of New Hampshire, and several nieces and nephews. Born on January 11, 1938, in Somerville, Massachusetts, to Giacomo and Elvira (Panteri) Baldi, formerly of Villa a Roggio and Pescia, Italy, the fifth of six children Carlo (Charlie), Anna, Baldo, Mario, and Bonnie, Daniel was the proud son of Italian American immigrants, welcoming friends and family to join at mealtimes with a hearty “Tutti Mangia.” Dan grew up in Newton and Watertown, MA, where he developed an early love of science and nature which led to a career as a junior and high school teacher for 32 years in Holbrook, MA.

Around Town

Celebrate Local Dining, Community at Charles River Chamber’s Spring Seasonings

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The Charles River Chamber announced that tickets are available for the 27th annual Spring Seasonings: A Taste of our Towns event, which includes restaurants from Watertown, as well as Newton, Needham and Wellesley. See the announcement below. Spring Seasonings: A Taste of our Towns returns to the Newton Marriott on Monday, April 7 from 5:30-8 p.m. The highly anticipated event, now in its 27th year, is hosted by the Charles River Regional Chamber in partnership with presenting sponsor The Village Bank. Forty local restaurants from Newton, Needham, Watertown and Wellesley will showcase their distinctive cuisine, with beverage exhibitors pouring samples to pair with the delicious bites. Over 500 attendees are expected to attend the event.

Weather

Weather Forecast: Strong Winds This Weekend and Slowly Rising Temperatures

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Expect strong winds throughout the weekend, particularly Friday and Saturday, which could lead to tree and powerline damage, especially in higher terrain areas. The weather will be mostly dry and calm through early next week, with temperatures gradually warming up. While conditions will remain seasonably cool into the weekend, by midweek temperatures will rebound into the low 50s and possibly near 60°F by Wednesday. There will be no significant snow or ice in this period. The march towards spring begins! 

Friday, March 7:Expect sunny conditions, but breezy winds throughout the day, with west winds around 23 mph and gusts up to 41 mph.

Around Town

East End Open for Business During Road Construction, City Has Map of Parking Alternatives

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A map of alternative places to park during construction on Mt. Auburn Street in Coolidge Square. (City of Watertown)

The roadway through one of Watertown’s major business centers is being reconstructed, but the City reminds residents and customers that Coolidge Square is “Open for Business.” The stretch of Mt. Auburn Street in front of businesses like Artemis Yoga, Olespana, Dunkin’, and 7-Eleven is being torn up, theses businesses remain open.

Around Town

Registration Open for Community Dialogue on Accessory Dwelling Units

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Watertown Affordable Housing Trust, in partnership with Watertown Community Conversations (WCC), will be hosting an “Accessory Dwelling Units Community Dialogue” on Monday, March 24, 2025. 

The event will be held at The Apartments at Coolidge School, located at 319 Arlington St., from 6 to 8:30 PM, including time at the beginning for attendees to enjoy light food and beverages. The Community Dialogue will include a short presentation, small group dialogues facilitated by WCC, and a subsequent large-group summary. Registration has opened–register here. RSVPs are appreciated for planning purposes but are not required. 

The Trust plans to use ideas generated during this event to help shape a proposal to the Council for permitting Accessory Dwelling Units. As of February 2, 2025, every city/town is required to allow accessory dwelling units “by right.” In November 2024, Watertown passed an “interim” ADU ordinance.