Around Town

Now Open: City of Watertown’s 311 Service Center, Taking Calls and Emails

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The City of Watertown announced the start of the 311 Service Center, see the announcement below. We are happy to announce that today, Monday June 3, 2024, the City of Watertown’s 311 Service Center is officially open. By dialing 311, you’ll be able to reach a live representative who can answer informational questions, process non-emergency requests, or direct you to the appropriate department. The service center aims to enhance the quality of customer service provided by the City and will adhere to the highest standards. We are excited about the launch and the benefits it will bring to our community.

Government

Watertown Square Plan Documents Released Along with Agenda for Public Meeting

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The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

The Joint Hearing of the City Council and Planning Board to be held on June 13, 2024 at 6:00 PM at Watertown Middle School Auditorium, 68 Waverley Avenue. The Watertown Square Area Plan Document has been posted and you can access the document here (PDF). You can also access an appendix document of the updated MBTA Communities Zoning Summary (PDF). The Plan Document will be discussed at the City Council and Planning Board Joint Hearing on June 13, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the Watertown Middle School Auditorium at 68 Waverley Avenue in Watertown. Printed copies of the Plan Document will be made available at the Watertown Free Public Library and at the Watertown Senior Center starting next week.

Around Town

New Bagel Store Opening in Watertown This Weekend, Will Soon Serve Brunch

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Wicked Bagel will open its Watertown location on June 1. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown will have a new place to grab bagels, coffee, and soon brunch when Wicked Bagel opens on School Street. The location at 68 School St., the former Porcini’s spot, will be the third for Wicked Bagel, which also has stores in Lexington and Woburn. Wicked Bagel opens for business on Saturday, June 1, and will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wicked Bagel President Maria Mahoney said customers will get a discount during the opening weekend, with 25 percent off the entire order for walk-ins on Saturday and Sunday. The Watertown store will have something that the other two locations do not offer – brunch with alcohol available.

Government

Edible Watertown Program Receives National Endowment for the Arts Grant

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The artwork from Edible Plants 2022, Clockwise from top left: Daylily by Patti Murphy, Bee Balm by Niloufar Keyhani, Elderberry by Marija Draskic
Brancazio, Wintergreen by Kate Martens, Mayapple by Carol Leonesio, Mountain Mint by Cat Bennett, Huckleberry
by Donna Calleja, Red Bud by Debajyoti Biswas, Bearberry by Connie Henry, and Garlic Chives by Jaclyn Kain. The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Public Arts & Culture Committee is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $20,000. This grant will support the Edible Watertown: Expert Pairings project. In total, the NEA will award 1,135 Grants for Arts Projects awards totaling more than $37 million as part of its second round of fiscal year 2024 grants. “Projects like Edible Watertown exemplify the creativity and care with which communities are telling their stories, creating connection, and responding to challenges and opportunities in their communities—all through the arts,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD.

Government

Hours of Watertown City Hall, Senior Center & More Changing After Council Vote

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Hours will be changing for Watertown City departments in City Hall, the Parker Annex, along with the Senior Center, after a City Council vote on Tuesday. These facilities will be open later on Tuesdays and close earlier on Fridays throughout the year. City Manager George Proakis said at a previous meeting that the change in hours would help the city recruit employees, and that many surrounding communities have early closings on Fridays. One area of concern was resident’s ability to pay bills at the Treasurer’s office on Fridays. “There have been discussions about how it affects particular employees, and how it impacts the public as a whole,” Proakis said.

Police/Fire

Details of How a Man Tricked a Watertown Woman Into Ending Her Pregnancy Revealed, Suspect Arraigned

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The man accused of giving a Watertown woman medicine that, unknown to her, would end her pregnancy, was arraigned in Court on Tuesday. More details of how he tricked his ex-girlfriend were revealed. Robert Kawada, 43, of Brookline, was charged with poisoning, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a pregnant person and assault and battery on a household or family member. Also, he was held on $100,000 bail, ordered to stay away from the victim, and to wear a GPS device, according to WCVB Channel 5. The woman met Kawada on a dating app in January, and they went on a few dates.

Around Town

See Photos from the 2024 Watertown Memorial Day Parade

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Watertown veterans marched in the 2024 Memorial Day Parade. (Photo by Natalie Nigito Photography)

Watertown veterans were joined by youth sports teams, scouts, the Watertown Police officers and Firefighters, bands and more during the 2024 Memorial Day Parade. The event ended with a ceremony at Victory Field that included the unveiling of a new tribute to veterans. Following the parade, a ceremony was held at Victory Field which included the unveiling of a chair honoring prisoner of war and missing in action. The POW-MIA Chair of Honor represent those service members who are unable to fill them because of their sacrifices, as well as reminding people of the men and women who serve our country every day.

Around Town

Watertown’s Oldest House to Open to Public on June 1

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The Browne House, built in 1698, is the oldest standing house in Watertown. The following announcement was provided by Historic New England:

On Saturday, June 1, all 38 Historic New England historic properties are open free to the public, including the Lyman Estate in Waltham and Browne House in Watertown. Join us for a fun day of fantastic storytelling! At the Lyman Estate you’ll see rooms used in the Greta Gerwig’s film adaptation of Little Women and the veranda where Jo and Laurie exuberantly danced during the ball. Also enjoy the grounds of this National Historic Landmark and visit one of the oldest greenhouses in the United States.Hear the story of the Lyman family at the mansion, which is also used today as a venue for weddings and corporate events.