Development

Volkswagen Pulls Proposal for Used Car Center in Watertown Sq.

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The proposed Volkswagen used car center in Watertown Square has been scrapped. Boston Volkswagen sent a letter to the Watertown Planning Department stating that the proposed project has been withdrawn, but did not give a reason, according to a report on Wickedlocal.com (click here to see the story). The plan had called for turning the former Sullivan Tire & Auto store on North Beacon Street into a used car center. VW has a dealership just down the street. The proposal drew criticism from residents and members of the Planning and Zoning boards alike.

Elections

LETTER: ProgressiveWatertown Endorsements for Nov. 4 Election

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Dear Editor,

On September 28th, a large group of Watertown citizens met to talk about the November 4th Election. We all felt the Ballot Questions were extremely important, and all faced monied opposition. We voted and endorsed our majority opinion on these questions. Later 25 citizens chipped in to print up our positions and take the issue voter to voter. On Question #1 we voted NO to the repeal of the indexed gas tax.

Entertainment

WHS Drama Putting Final Touches on “Our Town” Production

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Beth Peters has directed the fall play at Watertown High School for 10 years, and the school had not done the classic American play “Our Town.” This is the year! The Thornton Wilder play is both a simple production, but one where the student actors must dig deep emotionally, said Peters, who also teaches drama at an elementary school in East Boston. WHS junior Zoe Grodsky, who plays Emily Webb, said there are some very sad scenes in the play. “It’s a tough show.

Business

Insurance Agency Seeks to Beat Record for Toys for Tots

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Last year, H&K Insurance Agency of Watertown collected the most items for the Toys for Tots drive, and they seek to beat it this year. The toy drive has been able to distribute over 469 million toys to less fortunate children thanks to the help of generous people. In years past, CISR, AAI Treasurer/General Manager Paul Perry and his wife, Daralyn Perry, CISR Commercial Lines Manager, have donated generously to Toys for Tots from their own pockets. They hope others will join them this year. “Helping those in need is something that we really value here at H & K Insurance,” said Perry.

Around Town

Watertown Mall Hosting Job Fair This Week

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Attention job seekers, it is time to head to the mall to find a new job. On Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25, some stores at the Watertown Mall will be holding a job fair. Whether you are looking for part time, full time or seasonal work, you can find it there.

Environment

Council Disbands Watertown Recycling Committee

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After 22 years, Watertown’s Recycling Advisory Committee has been dissolved. 

The decision to end the committee was made by the Town Council last week after the Public Works subcommittee recommended the move. The Recycling Committee and officials in the Watertown Department of Public Works have disagreed about the goal of the committee since Watertown went to a single-stream recycling program, according to Councilor Cecilia Lenk, chair of the Public Works subcommittee. Councilor Aaron Dushku worried about what will happen when issues around recycling arise. “I think we need a place where recycling issues will be discussed in town,” Dushku said. “We need some way to convene residents who want to discuss recycling issues.”

Elections

State Rep. Jonathan Hecht Named Environmental Champion

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Watertown State Rep. Jonathan

Watertown State Rep. Jonathan Hecht received recognition for his work on environmental issues from two groups. Hecht was named an “Environmental Champion” by the Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund and the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters (MLEV) and endorsed for re-election for his seat in the 29th Middlesex District. “Our organizations are united in support of the extraordinary commitment to environmental protection made by Jonathan Hecht,” said Chuck Anastas, MLEV board Chairman. “We need his 21st century leadership in the state legislature.”

George Bachrach, president of the ELM Action Fund, said Hecht understands the importance of clean energy technology. “Representative Hecht understands the connection between the environment and the economy,” Bachrach said.

Sports

Watertown Youth Softball Players Get Some Special Visitors

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Watertown Youth Softball players recently got some advice from an experienced softball players. Brook Capello and the Newbury College Nighthawks Softball Team put on a free clinic for the Watertown Youth. See the account from Watertown Youth Softball below:
It is a rarity in today’s world when a group of people can find time from their busy work loads to give back to the community. But that is exactly what Brook Capello and the Newbury College Softball team did this past weekend at the Hosmer Field. These young ladies took time out of their busy college careers and traveled to our town to help support our young and growing program.