Around Town

LETTER: Watertown Cares, Has Responded to City, State & National Needs

By |

Dear Editor,

It is disconcerting to me, as the city moves forward in implementing the Watertown Square Conceptual Plan, is the constant “we need housing.”  We know that none of the people clamoring for housing are homeless. However, there is nothing wrong with being altruistic and wanting to help others. Wouldn’t how and what is the capacity of Watertown to help reduce housing needs in the Commonwealth be an advantageous approach? I have been especially proud of Watertown in that when none of the surrounding cities and towns would have Halfway Homes in their community, Watertown stepped forward and welcomed those less fortunate into the community. David and Anne Bromer, who we met in Watertown, spearheaded Fair Housing Practices in Massachusetts. They asked Mary and me to assist in testing landlords as to whether they would lease or rent to Black People. To my knowledge, David and Anne did not test in Watertown. 

We know there were some in Watertown who didn’t wish to rent to Black People as there were throughout the state; especially during this period in Boston with its clamor over anti-busing in Schools.

Around Town

July 23 is Deadline to Comment on Possible Watertown Dam Removal

By |

Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Dam near Watertown Square slows the flow of the Charles River. A group is advocating removing the dam. The consultants examining the possible removal of the Watertown Dam presented their findings after studying the area near the dam over the Charles River just west of Watertown Square. The public can comment on the proposal until July 23. The dam was discussed at a public meeting held on July 9 at the Watertown Library.

Around Town

Road Surface on Arsenal Street to be Milled Starting This Week

By |

The City of Watertown sent out the following information:

The milling process on Arsenal Street, which involves grinding the road surface in preparation for paving, will begin on Monday, July 22, 2024, starting from Greenough Boulevard to Forge Road. This work will progress block by block towards Watertown Square over approximately six weeks. Please drive carefully and consider using alternate routes when possible. We appreciate your cooperation. The section of Arsenal Street that will be milled to prepare for repaving beginning July 22.

Around Town

Dozens of Watertown Students Make Dean’s List at UMass Amherst

By |

The following announcement was provided by UMass Amerst:

Below is a list of local students who were named to the dean’s list at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for the spring 2024 semester. In order to qualify, an undergraduate student must receive a 3.5 grade-point average or better on a four-point scale. WATERTOWNAriana Rose AufieroKenan Emre CancaPhilip Richard CentolaAidan Paul ConneelyAidan Henry CurryCarina Bella DeLorioRiley Francis DonlanTrisanne Phillipa DunstanRita Queenie HackettBenjamin Harrison HeepJackson Wallace HelieOlivia Juliet-Mei HooverAlyce JudgeLara Jacqueline KebabjianIlana KrebsLiam LawnMaeve Ella LawnAni Nanor ManjikianDavid Armani ManoukianRobert MartirosyanSaron NebiyeMadeline Mildred PoplawskiAram Alexander ReichJohn Payton-Michael RileySydney Willow RosenthalHenry Peter SarrisSabreena ShahOscar Robinson ShepardMason Thomas SmithBenjamin Roubik SurenianIsabella Delmaschio TancredoDaniel Kevin TattrieHrachya Tigran TonyanMichael J VarnumGregory Steven VenizelosAnna Rose Zarkadas

Watertown Students Earn Academic Honors at 11 Colleges

Around Town

New Free Mental Health Support Group Starting in Watertown

By |

The following announcement was provided by Treatment Innovations:

Local psychologist and professor, Lisa Najavits, PhD, will offer free support groups Wednesdays 530-630 p.m. at the Watertown Public Library starting July 31st. This project offers free support groups to help people in the community learn coping skills, especially for people who have suffered from trauma and/or addiction. The groups will provide Seeking Safety, an evidence-based coping skills model by Dr. Najavits that has been implemented for over 35 years all over the U.S. and internationally and has been found to be extremely safe and effective, as a free drop-in service for individuals in the community. See www.seekingsafety.org for more information on the Seeking Safety model. Interested?

Around Town

Vendor Voluntary Recall from the Watertown Farmers Market

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Farmers Market:

Important Notice 

If you purchased products from our biweekly vendor Pariva Marinated Yogurt Bites on June 12, 26, or July 10th, please read HERE for more information about a voluntary recall by the vendor on some of her products. This is considered a low-level threat and is being done out of an abundance of caution. Watch for an update about Pariva returning to the market later this season.

Around Town

2 Watertown Field Hockey Players Take Part in National Junior Championships, One Named to Junior Olympics Team

By |

The following announcement came from USA Field Hockey:

Following evaluation at the 2024 Junior Nexus Championship, presented by Osaka Hockey, USA Field Hockey is pleased to announce the athletes who have been selected to play in the 2024 Girls AAU Junior Olympic Games, including Reagan Driscoll of Watertown. This year’s event will take place at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, North Carolina, from July 29 to August 1. These selected athletes will have the opportunity to participate alongside some of the best athletes in other sports, from across the country. AAU Junior Olympic Games athletes have until Friday, July 19, 2024 to register online through their USA Field Hockey Membership Account. If a player declines their invitation, an alternate will be notified.