Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/2/)
Robin Wasley of Watertown won a Massachusetts Bok Award for her YA novel “Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear.”
Watertown’s Robin Wasley received a Massachusetts Book Award in the middle grade/young adult category for her novel “Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear.” A ceremony will be at the State House in October. See details about the winners in the announcement from the Massachusetts Center for the Book, below.
Cunniff Elementary School has a particularly large number of kindergartners this fall. (Photo by Watertown Public Schools)
Students in Watertown returned to class this month, including a large number of kindergartners on one campus. Back to School nights will be held this week, and the School Committee also heard about a proposal that would prevent students from using cellphones and other devices anytime during the school day.
Drawings for the improvements at Bemis Park.
Two parks on the westside of Watertown will be renovated in the near future, and City Councilors had questions about the features of the park, as well as the pedestrian crossings for one of the parks.
An illustration from the Watertown Square Area Plan with the municipal parking lot behind CVS outlined in red. The City Council is considering redeveloping that area.
City Councilors will be wearing a second hat when it comes to the redevelopment of the parking lots behind CVS, the Watertown Library and perhaps others in Watertown Square.
The Watertown Transportation Management Association (TMA) received a grant of $159,469 from the Mass Department of Transportation to analyze data on travel patterns and use findings to inform development of new mobility alternatives, all in an attempt to reduce single occupancy vehicle commuting. See details about the program provided by MassDOT, below.
The following announcement was provided by Emerson College:
Emerson College student Nel Blinman of Watertown earned a Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts & Interdisciplinary Studies Award in spring 2025 at the end of the academic year, recognizing students for their achievements during a ceremony.
The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:
You may have already seen the stunning new photo triptych on loan in the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) stairwell. On Thursday evening, Sept. 18, the Library invites all community members to hear from the artist that created “Agricultural Panel B” — celebrated photographer and Watertown resident Archy LaSalle.
Debra Smith will be speaking about her first book at an event in Harvard Square on Sept. 28.
Watertown’s Debra Smith will be participating in a pair of events in memory of John R. Hope as part of Suicide Prevention month.
The process of removing the old asphalt to prepare for the repaving of on Mt. Auburn Street will begin this week. Also, hydrant installation and sidewalk pouring will take place in the East End. See details in the City of Watertown’s announcement, below.
Six properties in town were sold this week, including three townhouses, a pair of two family homes and a single family house.
The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:
DEAF, Inc. and the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) are thrilled to welcome award-winning, NYT bestselling author, translator, and Deaf rights activist Sara Nović to the Library! Nović will visit WFPL on Tuesday, September 30, for an author talk and book signing. ASL and CART services will be provided. Books will be available for purchase from All She Wrote Books.
To the Watertown Community,
For the past almost 8 years now, I have had the privilege of serving as a School Committee member here in Watertown, most recently as the vice chair. Those past years have seen the start of perhaps the best superintendent in the state, Dr. Deanne Galdston, the turnover of all 5 principalships with amazing new leaders, and the rebuilding/full renovation of 4 out of 5 of Watertown’s school buildings. To put it lightly — we got a lot done. To this day, I remain incredibly proud of how hard the Watertown community pulled together during the pandemic, making our schools and our city a leader in safe, effective education through a perilous time. We leaned on and learned from each other, and so many people across the entire community pitched in their expertise and time to help guide us.