Business

Charles River Chamber Hosting Webinar on AI, Networking Events & More in January

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The Charles River Regional Chamber has a variety of events in January focused on small businesses, non-profits, young professionals along with its Women’s Impact Network. Plus, learn what AI and ChatGPT is all about. The Chamber serves Watertown, Newton, Needham and Wellesley, and will host in-person and remote events in January. See the list provided by the Chamber below:

Webinar: Demystifying AI & ChatGPT

Date: Tues. Jan.

Around Town

LETTER: Part 1: 2024 New Year’s Resolutions for the City of Watertown

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And How the Heck Did We Lose Our Post Office?? By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Dear City Officials,

I’ve taken this opportunity to write this resolution list as a service to you, with explanations for each resolution. It’s based upon my observations and the hundreds of conversations that I’ve had with residents over the past two years. I hope that you won’t find this extremely annoying, but what can I say? I hope that you’ll also find it helpful and motivating for this new year.

Government

Council Will Consider Requiring Residents to Remove Snow in Front of their Properties

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Watertown residents would be required to remove snow and ice from sidewalks in front of their homes if the amendment to the Snow Ordinance is approved. The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed changes to the Snow and Ice Removal Ordinance on Tuesday, Jan. 9, Council President Mark Sideris said during his address at Tuesday’s Inauguration Ceremony. The meeting will be held at City Hall beginning at 7 p.m. Remote participation will be available. Watertown already has snow and ice removal rules for commercial properties, but the changes to the Snow and Ice Removal Ordinance would add requirements to remove snow from sidewalks in front of homes.

Government

Mara Dolan Will Challenge Incumbent for Governor’s Council

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Mara Dolan entered he race for Governor’s Councilor District 3. The following announcement was provided by the Mara Dolan campaign:

Mara Dolan announced her campaign for Governor’s Council, challenging long-term incumbent Marilyn Devaney. The Governor’s Council confirms judges, Parole Board members, and commutations and pardons. Devaney has represented District 3 since 1999. District 3 runs from Boston south to Wellesley, north to Chelmsford, and west to Marlborough, with 31 cities and towns including Watertown, Arlington, Brookline, Burlington, Newton, Waltham, Woburn, and Boston’s Allston, Brighton, Back Bay, Fenway, Longwood, and South End neighborhoods.

Around Town

Watertown Residents Can Dispose of Christmas Trees for 2 Weeks

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Watertown residents will be able to put trees out to be collected on trash days for two weeks in January. The City sent out the following announcement:

Please be aware that Christmas trees will be collected on your trash day for two weeks from Monday, January 8 to Monday, January 22, 2024. 

Please make sure to remove all lights and ornaments, and do NOT put the tree in a bag. The city will only collect the tree itself.

Around Town

OBIT: Carol Lee Hattaway, 80, Member of Board for Many of Sons’ Activities, Worked with Seniors

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Carol Hattaway

Carol Lee Hattaway, 80 years old, passed away Saturday, November 18, 2023 at Heather Glen in Arden, North Carolina. She was the daughter of the late William J. and Jeannette (Butterfield) Coumans of Needham and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Carol was born February 1, 1943 in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania and graduated from Needham High School in 1961 and then Vermont College, Montpelier, Vermont in 1963 where she began her career as an executive assistant and married her late husband Charles Leon Hattaway Jr., a Norwich University graduate, in 1964. Over the span of their 56-year marriage, they had lived in Massachusetts, New York, Maine, New Mexico, Sarasota, Florida, and Arden, North Carolina. Carol was very involved with raising her sons, Bradford and Douglas, supporting their numerous activities by participating on the governing boards of little league baseball, ice hockey, serving as a den mother in Cub Scouts, as well as, working within the Boy Scouts of America, their various community youth groups, Sunday school teaching, and school musical band.

Government

Watertown’s City Council Has Some Big Issues Waiting as New Term Begins

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City Council President Mark Sideris outlined the accomplishments of the past two terms and issues facing the City Council in the new term at the 2024 Inauguration. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The New Year also ushered in a new term for Watertown’s elected boards, and the City has some issues on its plate to tackle soon, including a show shoveling ordinance, short-term rentals, and reusing some former city buildings. City Council President Mark Sideris addressed the crowd Tuesday night at the Commander’s Mansion after members of the City Council, School Committee, and Board of Library Trustees took the oath of office. Watertown’s elected officials waited to be sworn in at the 2024 Inauguration at the Commander’s Mansion. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

When the Council meets on Jan.