Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/aroundtown/)
A map of the park on the former GSA Site in East Watertown. (DCR)
A former industrial site where the U.S. Army burned and stabilized depleted uranium has been cleaned up and turned into a park at the intersection of Arsenal Street and Greenough Boulevard. State officials now want to know what features residents want to see in the passive recreation space. On Nov. 19, the Department of Recreation and Conservation held a meeting about conceptual plans for site improvements to the former GSA Site.
The new Northeast Health Services clinic on Pleasant Street in Watertown. (Photo by Mario Joseph Forgione)
An outpatient mental health care clinic opened in Watertown on Pleasant Street, with another near town on Soldier Field Road in Brighton. Both are part of Northeast Health Services and offering a variety of services. See details in the announcement from Northeast Health Services, below. Northeast Health Services, a trusted provider of outpatient mental health care throughout Massachusetts, has expanded access to quality mental health care with the opening of two new clinics in the Boston area.
From Nov. 24 to 26, drivers will see lane shifts and parking restrictions on two stretches of Mt. Auburn Street as crews raise man holes and install drainage. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Raising Buried Structures
Crews will be raising buried utility structures, such as manholes and valve boxes, within the newly paved area along Mount Auburn Street between Lloyd Road and Boylston Street.
Drainage will be installed along Russell Street and Broadway for the Watertown High School project. There will be lane closures from Monday to Wednesday this week. See info provided by Vertex, Watertown’s project manager, below. Please be aware that a drainage liner will be installed on Monday 11/24 from Russell St along the lower portion of Broadway to the drain manhole at 24 Broadway. The duration of this work is expected to take 3 days and will require a one lane closure on Broadway from Monday, 11/24/25 thru 11/26/25.
Watertown will have a shortened Winter Parking Ban this year, but when the City Council voted to approve the change it also voted to approve stiffer fines for those who do not move their vehicles during a snow emergency. See information about the new Winter Parking Ban rules, and information about places in town to park if you don’t have a driveway or parking spot. Also see how to sign up for alerts so you can know when a Snow Emergency is declared in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Enforcement of the City’s overnight winter parking ban this season will begin on January 1, and end on March 1, 2026. Starting on January 1, no vehicle may remain on any public way for more than one hour between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. all days of the week. The City Council also approved an increased fine of $100 for parking on the street during a declared snow emergency. For residents in need of off-street parking options beginning on January 1 or during a snow emergency, please visit the Winter Parking Ban webpage where you can find the City’s available off-street parking options.
Employees from Watertown Savings Bank put together more than 130 backpacks for troops at Operation American Soldier. (Contributed Photo)
Recently employees from Watertown Savings Bank helped out at Operation American Soldier, and filled backpacks to send to American servicemen and women. The volunteers went to the Watertown-based non-profit and put together more than 130 backpacks to send to troops, said Wendy Rocca, co-founder of Operation American Soldier. Each pack also included a handwritten note. The backpacks included a note to the serviceman or woman who will receive it.
A screenshot from the Wayside Youth and Family Network Multi Service Center’s PSA. The Wayside Youth and Family Support Network Multi-Service Center recently debuted a public service announcement on Watertown Cable Access TV, featuring Program Director Sophia Suarez-Friedman. She spoke about the increasing stress among Watertown residents as they struggle to meet basic needs. Through Wayside, residents can be connected to housing assistance, food, and more services. Wayside provides a variety of services, including outreach, counseling services, and substance use prevention.
The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Chamber:
The Charles River Regional Chamber is launching a new seasonal initiative to encourage residents and visitors to shop locally for art and support the creative economy across Newton, Needham, Watertown and Wellesley. The new Support Local Arts & Culture campaign provides downloadable, ready-to-share graphics and language designed to highlight the contributions of local artists, makers, galleries, and cultural nonprofits during the peak holiday shopping period. The campaign centers on “10 Ways to Support Arts and Culture,” highlighting various ways to engage with local arts groups and artists. This effort builds on the chamber’s long-standing “Support Local” campaign by shining a spotlight on the region’s thriving arts and culture sector — a sector made up of small businesses, independent creators, and nonprofits that offer everything from handcrafted gifts to performances, exhibitions, and community programs.
Download the campaign graphics here.Visit the campaign’s new webpage at charlesriverchamber.com. “People have many ways to give during the holidays,” said Jon Rufo, local artist and co-chair of the chamber’s Arts and Culture Committee.
James Pagounes, second from right, seeks an organ donor before his kidneys fail. He is shown here with his family: wife, Joanne, and sons Othon, Kimon, and Iraklis. (Contributed Photo)
James Pagounes first learned he had polycystic kidney disease 16 years ago, which creates cysts on the kidneys until they no longer function. Now he is in dire need of a kidney donation. Pagounes, who lives in Waltham and has attended Taxiarchae/Archangels Greek Church in Watertown for many years, has been looking for a kidney for some time, and now his kidneys are in such bad shape that he has to go to dialysis three times a week.