Government

Watertown Community Preservation Program’s Current Projects, Reviewing Applications

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The following announcement was provided by the Community Preservation Committee:

The Community Preservation Program is approaching its fifth year of operation. Since the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) adopted the Community Preservation Act Five-year Plan 2021-2025, the CPC has conducted two complete funding rounds. This year, the CPC celebrated the completion of the program’s first two projects. Irving Park got revamped using $372,606 in outdoor recreation funds and the Edmund Fowle House saw its deteriorated wooden gutters replaced using $47,177 in historic preservation funds. While Irving Park is city-owned, the Fowle House Museum, listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places, and built in 1772, is owned and operated by the Historical Society of Watertown.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Woman Vandalizes Car, Multiple Shopliftings

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Dec. 27, 7 p.m.: An Edith Avenue resident lost a wallet and an unknown person attempted to use the person’s credit card at multiple locations in the Boston area. One was a $2,548 purchase at the Apple Store; and three at Walgreen’s for $327, $400, and $300. All were unsuccessful, and Wells Fargo notified the resident about the attempted charges.

Around Town

Through Pandemics & Collapsed Ceilings, the Watertown Food Pantry Stays Open

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Food on the shelfs at the Watertown Food Pantry, which has seen an increase in the number of people using its services since the start of the Pandemic. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

With her pert Boston accent and indefatigable can-do attitude, Kathleen Cunningham welcomes visitors into the basement of the Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church. It’s a big open space, with low ceilings, pink walls, some generous storage space and an older industrial kitchen. It’s also very obviously crumbling. Construction tape blocks off part of the kitchen.

Sports

Gold Kings Victorious in First Ever Game in New Hockey League

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Graphic from https://www.instagram.com/goldkingshockey/

The Boston Gold Kings made a successful debut, defeating the Holyoke Papermen 6-3 on home ice at the John A. Ryan Arena in Watertown. Saturday night’s game was the first ever in the brand new Union Hockey League. The Gold Kings’ first goal was scored by Jarrod Fitzpatrick. The semi-pro team is made up of players with experience in the minor leagues, college, and juniors. The Gold Kings celebrated the first victory on social media saying:

“First win in the books for the Gold Kings in our home opener! @jarrod_fitzpatrick scores the first goal in BGK history.

Government

Council Will Consider Requiring Residents to Remove Snow in Front of their Properties

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Watertown residents would be required to remove snow and ice from sidewalks in front of their homes if the amendment to the Snow Ordinance is approved. The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed changes to the Snow and Ice Removal Ordinance on Tuesday, Jan. 9, Council President Mark Sideris said during his address at Tuesday’s Inauguration Ceremony. The meeting will be held at City Hall beginning at 7 p.m. Remote participation will be available. Watertown already has snow and ice removal rules for commercial properties, but the changes to the Snow and Ice Removal Ordinance would add requirements to remove snow from sidewalks in front of homes.

Around Town

Watertown Residents Can Dispose of Christmas Trees for 2 Weeks

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Watertown residents will be able to put trees out to be collected on trash days for two weeks in January. The City sent out the following announcement:

Please be aware that Christmas trees will be collected on your trash day for two weeks from Monday, January 8 to Monday, January 22, 2024. 

Please make sure to remove all lights and ornaments, and do NOT put the tree in a bag. The city will only collect the tree itself.

Government

Watertown’s City Council Has Some Big Issues Waiting as New Term Begins

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City Council President Mark Sideris outlined the accomplishments of the past two terms and issues facing the City Council in the new term at the 2024 Inauguration. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The New Year also ushered in a new term for Watertown’s elected boards, and the City has some issues on its plate to tackle soon, including a show shoveling ordinance, short-term rentals, and reusing some former city buildings. City Council President Mark Sideris addressed the crowd Tuesday night at the Commander’s Mansion after members of the City Council, School Committee, and Board of Library Trustees took the oath of office. Watertown’s elected officials waited to be sworn in at the 2024 Inauguration at the Commander’s Mansion. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

When the Council meets on Jan.

Around Town

Hunger in Watertown: Task Force Tackles Social Needs, Tries to Fills Gaps Left by State, Local Programs

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Jan Singer, left, the former Executive Director of the Watertown Community Foundation, discussed how the Foundation responded to food insecurity during the Pandemic with journalists Maya Shwayder and Charlie Breitrose. (Photo by Dan Hogan / WCA-TV)

As the numbers of people facing a scarcity of food, worried about losing their home, or paying for utilities rose at the start of the Pandemic, a group of people in Watertown was gathered to bring together their knowledge of how to serve those in need. The task force continues to meet regularly, and tries to figure out ways to fill the gaps and patch the cracks in the local, state, and federal social services programs.

This story is the third in a series by Watertown News, in conjunction with Watertown Cable Access Television, called “Watertown’s Hidden Problem: Food Insecurity Among Us.” (See part one here). The Task Force

Jan Singer, who was executive director of the Watertown Community Foundation when COVID-19 hit, said the Community Resilience Task Force came about when the Foundation got a grant from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund aimed at providing assistance in key areas such as housing, childcare, and food security. Singer and members of the Foundation board quickly realized that they needed to gather the experts to help them direct the funds where they were needed most.