Around Town

Volunteers Wanted for the Annual Charles River Herring Count, Training Coming Up

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The annual herring count in the Charles River is nearly here, and the public can assist with the effort. The Charles River Watershed Association seeks volunteers and is offering a training on April 3. CWRA sent out the following information:

The 2024 herring count is almost underway! CRWA is seeking volunteers to participate at our Watertown Dam location at least once a week from April 15th to June 30th, from 7 am to 7 pm. Soon we will release a sign-up sheet where volunteers can register for a one-hour time slot.

Around Town

40th Annual Run of the Charles Coming in April, Register to Participate or Volunteer

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The Charles River Watershed Association announced that the Run of the Charles, Boston’s Premier Paddling Event, will be held Saturday, April 27, 2024. The CRWA provided the following information. Race Information

The Run of the Charles: Boston’s Premier Paddling Race is the biggest paddling race in New England, celebrating its 40th race anniversary and the Charles River Watershed Association’s 50+ years of improvements to the health, beauty and enjoyment of the Charles River and its tributaries. Over 500 paddlers throughout the U.S., ages 12 and up, compete in the 3-, 6-, 9-mile and 14-Mile Relay Race. Races start in Newton and Brighton and finish at DCR’s Artesani Park on Soldiers Field Road in Brighton. The Finish Line Festival will offer a range of entertainment for spectators and participants of all ages, free of charge.

Police/Fire

Man Arrested on Charges of Assaulting a Woman Along the Charles River Path

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A Newton man was arrested in connection to an assault of a woman that took place on the path along the Charles River in Watertown. Sandeep Khandke, 69, of Newton, was arraigned on Friday in Waltham District Court on a charge of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, according to the Massachusetts State Police. The State Police received a report of an assault in Watertown on the Charles River Greenway, which is State property. Troopers from the Boston State Police Barracks responded. “The victim reported that a man with a cane had sat down next to her and while the two were talking, the man touched the victim’s leg and chest,” the State Police press release said.

Around Town

Charles River Watershed Association Holding Annual Meeting

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The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Watershed Association:

We hope you’ll join us Wednesday, March 27 at 6:00 PM at MIT Welcome Center for Charles River Watershed Association’s 58th Annual Meeting. We look forward to connecting with our members and recognizing CRWA advocates and volunteers whose dedicated work helps protect and preserve the resilience of the Charles River. We are happy to announce that our Annual Meeting will be in-person this year! You can look forward to socializing with fellow advocates while browsing CRWA’s interactive tables on current projects, and learning more about the role your support has played in keeping the Charles River clean and healthy. Invitations will be arriving soon!

Around Town

Submissions Wanted for CRWA’s Charles River Photo Contest

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The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Watershed Association:

Calling all photographers – do you love to capture our favorite river? We are so pleased to announce the first annual 2023 Charles River Photo Contest! Submit your photos today – share your top three images with us by Friday, November 17th for a chance to win exciting river-themed prizes and features on our digital channels. Shortly after the deadline, finalists will be selected, and CRWA members will be called upon to vote for winners in next month’s River Current. Check out the full details over at crwa.org/photocontest, and submit your photos!

Around Town

Watertown Company Cleans Up Along Charles River During Day of Service

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A team of employees from WiTricity cleaned up the riverfront near Watertown Square. (Courtesy of WiTricity)

The following information was provided by WiTricity:

Headquartered in Watertown Square, WiTricity is the global leader in wireless charging with a particular focus on wirelessly charging electric vehicles. As part of our commitment to our community and to environmental responsibility, more than 30 people from the WiTricity team spent the afternoon dedicated to community service by cleaning up the area surrounding the river at the Galen Street Bridge on Oct. 5. WiTricity employees painted a bench along the Charles River during a day of service.

Around Town

LETTER: What the Delta Saw: A (slightly) Irreverent and Rambling History of Watertown Square Parts 3 & 4

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Map of the Original Allotments of of Land and the Ancient Topography of Watertown, By Henry Bond, MD (Photo courtesy of the Watertown Free Public Library)

By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Part 3: Grist for the Mill

So, the Watertown colonists have lots of fish to eat [See Part 2 to read about the fish weir]. What else does any decent English town in the 1600’s need? A grist mill, of course! (If you’d like to see a still functioning grist mill, take a ride out to the Wayside Inn in Sudbury). In 1634, two years after the weir was installed, a mill dam and millrace were constructed.