Vendors & Sponsors Can Register for the 2024 Faire on the Square

Watertown’s biggest celebration returns for its 25th year in September, and vendors and sponsors can sign up now. The City of Watertown provided the following information:

The 25th Anniversary of Watertown’s Faire on the Square is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 12-5 p.m. at Saltonstall Park. Vendor registration is open through August 30, 2024. Visit www.faireonthesquare.com to learn more and register! Sponsorship opportunities for the Faire on the Square are now available!

July 23 is Deadline to Comment on Possible Watertown Dam Removal

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.

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

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

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

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.

Watertown Square Plan Approved by Council & Planning Board; Zoning & Design to Occur This Fall

City Manager George Proakis addresses the City Council and Planning Board at the Watertown Square Area Plan hearing on July 16. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

After three meetings, and nearly 10 hours of discussion and public comment, the City Council and Planning Board approved the Watertown Square Area Plan on Tuesday night. The plan was amended by the Council, but retained the major goals of the version first discussed by the boards at the first meeting on June 13: a by-right housing unit capacity of 3,133; and the Four Corners reconfiguration of the Watertown Square roadways, which removes Charles River Road from the intersection. The details of the zoning and design to make the plan a reality will take place this fall, including some public meetings. During the public comment period, multiple people suggested the vote be postponed, and/or that the City should only allow for the minimum housing capacity required by the state, 1,701.

Watertown Cancer Survivor Riding the 2024 Pan-Mass Challenge

Theresa Welsh, right, and her partner Andrea. Welsh will be riding the 45th Pan-Mass Challenge to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in August. Theresa first rode the PMC in 2011 in honor of a friend, and Andrea started in 2023 to support Welsh. (Contributed Photo)

On Aug. 3 and 4, 2024, Watertown’s Theresa Welsh will join more than 6,500 riders who take on the 45th annual Pan-Mass Challenge, a bike-a-thon that raises money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

New Fire Boat, Welcoming New Police Pup, Search for Chief Information Officer

Raider, the Watertown Police Department’s new comfort dog, and Officer Anna Margaryan. (Courtesy of the City of Watertown)

The City Council had a special visitor at last Tuesday’s meeting, and also approved funding for the Fire Department’s new boat, and discussed how to replace the outgoing director of information technology. Fire Boat

The City Council approved transferring $54,000 from other Fire Department accounts into the Fire Department Equipment Capital Account to pay for a new boat that will be used on the Charles River. The boat, known as Marine 1, will replace one that dates back to 2000, said Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. “In the summer months we put Marine 1 in water at the Watertown Yacht Club,” Nicholson said.