Around Town

Community Preservation Committee Recommends Funding Affordable Housing Project

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A rendering of the proposed Willow Park Housing development. An affordable housing project got a boost from the Watertown Community Preservation Committee, which voted to recommend that Community Preservation Act money be used to help fund the project in East Watertown. CPA funds come from a surcharge on Watertown property tax bills, and the money can be used for historic preservation, open space and outdoor recreation, and affordable housing projects. See details in the announcement from the CPC, below. At a special meeting on Dec.

Around Town

See What Title the Library Selected for the 2025 One Book, One Watertown

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The Watertown Free Public Library revealed the title for this year’s One Book, One Watertown. See the announcement below. What happens when we study delight? This year’s One Book, One Watertown selection, Ross Gay’s The Book of Delights, invites us to do just that. We hope you’ll take part in the Watertown Free Public Library’s annual community read! Ross Gay is many things – a New York Times bestselling poet and writer, a winner of prestigious awards, a teacher, a gardener, a skateboarder, a Midwesterner, a partner, a friend, a son, a pick up basketball player, a loiterer, a lover of high-fives, and a student of delight.

Around Town

Watertown Day Care Trying to Preserve Historic Building as it Creates a New Home

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The University Prints Building on Boyd Street has much history, and is now home to First Path Day Care. (Courtesy of First Path)

The new home of a Watertown day care center will be in a building off Galen Street that’s full of history, from the architecture to the former uses, which includes being a cookie factory to a printer of textbooks and one of the nation’s largest providers of checks. First Path Day Care Center moved to 13 Boyd St. in November after many years sharing the Watertown Boys & Girls Club facility. When First Path learned it would need to find another location, the search led them to purchase the building on the Southside of Watertown in 2017.

Around Town

Hundreds Celebrate Chanukah at Chabad Watertown’s Third Annual Menorah Lighting

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Rabbi Dovid Zaltzman lights the ice menorah at Arsenal Yards during the third annual Watertown Chanukah Celebration. Looking on are Assistant City Manager Ari Sky, right, Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson (far left), and Police Capt. Dan Unsworth. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The fire that lit the Third Annual Watertown Chanukah Celebration at Arsenal Yards mesmerized and brought warmth to a crowd of several hundred people on Monday evening. Before the lighting of a menorah, which stood several feet high and was made of ice, the crowd of more than 300 people enjoyed treats, games, crafts, and a performance by a fire dancer. Rabbi Dovid Zaltzman from Chabad Watertown lit the candles on the menorah with help from Watertown Assistant City Manager for Finance Ari Sky.

Around Town

Celebrate Chanukah with Chabad Watertown at Arsenal Yards

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The following announcement was provided by Chabad Watertown:

Celebrate Chanukah with Us: Ice Menorah Lighting, Fire Show & Gelt Drop! Monday, Dec. 30th, 4-6 PM

In partnership with Arsenal Yards, we’re thrilled to invite you to our 3rd annual public menorah lighting ceremony and celebration! – A mesmerizing live fire dance performance

– Chanukah crafts for all ages

– Live music and festive vibes

– Complimentary treats to enjoy

– A Special Gelt Drop from the Watertown Fire Department

Where: Arsenal Yards Mall – Bond Square, 130 Arsenal Yards, Watertown, MA, 02472

RSVP TODAY Here

Sports

Watertown Sports: Field Hockey Coach of the Year, Wrestler Wins Holiday Tournament

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Watertown Field Hockey Coach Eileen Donahue holds her plaque for being the MIAA Field Hockey Coach of the Year. She was joined by family, her fellow coaches, and school administrators. (Courtesy of the Watertown Public Schools)

Watertown Field Hockey Coach Eileen Donahue collected another accolade this month when she was honored by the MIAA, and Watertown wrestler Tessa Master kicked off her season with a win in a major holiday tournament. Donahue was named Field Hockey Coach of the Year, and was honored at a banquet held by the MIAA. In November, she coached the Watertown to the team’s fourth straight State Championship, and the Raiders finished undefeated at 22-0.

Around Town

State Rep. Lawn Named Legislator of the Year by Mass. National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

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Staten Rep. John Lawn (right) received the Legislator of the Year Award from MassNAELA Executive Director Clarence Richardson. At its annual meeting held on December 12, 2024, the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (MassNAELA) honored several individuals for their advocacy efforts and commitment to raising awareness of legal issues affecting older adults. Watertown State Rep. John Lawn was named the Legislator of the Year for going above and beyond in supporting legislation that protects the rights and improves the lives of seniors and individuals with disabilities. Mary Freeley, Director of the Attorney General’s Elder Justice Unit, received the Arthur Stavisky Award, an honor MassNAELA bestows each year to a person in the community who has dedicated themselves to advocating for seniors and promoting elder causes. Four organizations were presented the Deborah H. Thomson Advocacy Award, which recognizes efforts in advocating for elder issues in state government: Berkshire Arc, Guardian Community Trust, Planned Lifetime Assistance Network (PLAN) of MA and RI, and The Arc of Bristol County.