Around Town

Watertown Citizens Group Celebrating 40th Anniversary with a Bit of Improv Comedy

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The Following information was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment:

Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment is turning 40, and invites the public to its annual meeting and celebration on Sunday featuring an improv comedy group. Fun at 40! Join us at our annual Meeting for an evening of fun, inspiration and community building as we celebrate 40 years of working for Peace, Justice and the Environment. Sunday, June 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Belmont/Watertown United Methodist Church, 80 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown.

Around Town

Watertown Recreation Starting Pickleball League

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The Watertown Recreation Department will start a pickleball league in June. Pickleball is a sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It is played on a court the size of a badminton court with a slightly adjusted tennis net. Players use large paddle and a plastic ball with holes in it. It can be played in singles or doubles format.

Around Town

Local Cookie Maker Offering Father’s Day Discount for Watertown Residents

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Geoff & Drew’s offers cookies and brownies made from all-natural ingredients. Watertown’s Carol Spickler is president and “chief cookie girl.” A cookie business co-owned by a Watertown resident is offering a special discount to town residents for Fathers day. Geoff & Drew’s sent out the following information:

Watertown’s Carol Spickler is the president and “chief cookie girl” of Geoff & Drew’s, which features cookies, brownies and other baked goods made with all-natural ingredients. 

Watertown residents, friends & family enjoy a 25 percent discountwhen ordering from Geoff & Drew’s. Enter Promotion Code: NEW25 at checkout at www.gdcookies.com 

Geoff & Drew’s  Gourmet Cookie & Brownies offers a wide selection of gift boxes and baskets overflowing with their award-winning bakery treats, Spickler said. 

Government

Rep. Jonathan Hecht Hosting Two Office Hours in June

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State Rep. Jonathan Hecht

The following information was provided by Rep. Hecht’s Office:

Representative Jonathan Hecht will hold office hours twice in Watertown in June. Constituents are invited to meet with Representative Hecht at the following time and location:

Monday, June 17

8:30-9:30 a.m.

Watertown Town Hall

149 Main St, 3rd Floor hallway

Thursday, June 27

6:00-7:00 p.m.

Watertown Free Public Library

123 Main St, Raya Stern Trustees Room

Anyone unable to attend these office hours can call Representative Hecht at 617-722-2140 to schedule an appointment at another time.

Government

Council Passes Fiscal 2020 Budget, Town Pays off Retirement Debt

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Town Manager Michael Driscoll’s plan to pay off Watertown’s retirement benefits deficit will come to fruition on July 1, 2019. Tuesday night the Town Council approved Watertown’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget, but it also marked the paying off of the town’s unpaid Retirement Benefits deficit and frees up millions to be spent in other areas, such as the school building projects.. On July 1, 2019, a payment of $13.18 million will be made, which will not only cover this year’s Retirement Benefits for town employees, but also the shortfall. Since Fiscal Year 2009, the Town has funded retirement at a rate of 152 percent to pay off the deficit faster. The total Fiscal Year 2020 budget of $147.76 million is 3.89 percent higher or $5.53 million more than Fiscal 2019, the current budget year.

Around Town

Hundreds Gather for Watertown’s Cross-Cultural Celebration of a Muslim Holiday

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One of dozens of tables of people who came together for Watertown’s Second Annual Community Iftar, the feast to celebrate Ramadan. The organizers of Watertown Celebrates Iftar provided the following piece:

Watertown’s Second Community Iftar proved again that Watertown truly embraces its diversity. Last week at the Mosesian Cultural and Youth Center of St. James Armenian Church, nearly 200 people shared Iftar, the fast-breaking meal that takes place every evening during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Supported by Watertown Community Foundation and many area restaurants, and co-sponsored by World in Watertown, Progressive Watertown, First Parish Church and Church of the Good Shepherd, this event was conceived by the Refugee Support Group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment.

Around Town

Watertown Hosting Flag Retirement Ceremony on Flag Day

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Watertown Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts fold a flag to be retired during the Flag Day Retirement of Colors Ceremony. Watertown will hold a Flag Retirement Service and Ceremony on Flag Day, announced Watertown Veterans Services Officer Patrick George. The ceremony will take place at Ridgelawn Cemetery on Friday June 14, 2019 beginning at 6:00 p.m.

“This event is open to the Public; and it would be an honor to have the residents of Watertown attend this very special event,” George said in the event announcement. If you have any questions, please call the Veterans Office at 617-972-6416.