Around Town

City Wants Input on Draft Comprehensive, Open Space & Recreation Plans

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The draft of Watertown’s most important planning document has been released, and City officials want input from the public about what’s included in the plan that will help shape Watertown’s future for years. The Comprehensive Plan was first approved in 2015, and has led to much of the recent development around town. Over 75 percent of the goals of the first masterplan have been met, and the City Council asked for it toe be updated. Topics covered in the Comprehensive Plan update include land use; economic development; transportation, circulation, and parking; and open space and recreation. A particular focus will be Watertown Square, and other commercial districts in the City. People can view the draft of the Comprehensive Plan, as well as the draft of the Open Space and Recreation Plan online (see links below).

Around Town

See How Presidents’ Day Will Impact Trash, Other City Services

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The Presidents’ Day holiday will impact the trash and recycling pickup this week, and multiple city facilities will be closed. Tracy and recycling service in Watertown will be delayed by a day this week. So, for instance, homes with a normal Monday collection will be on Tuesday this week. The City of Watertown announced that City Hall and the Senior Center will be closed in observance of Presidents’ Day on Monday, February 20, 2023. The Watertown Library also announced that it will be closed on Monday for the Presidents’ Day holiday.

Sports

WHS Sports: Heartbreaking End for Girls Track, Girls Hoops Looking for Home Tourney Game

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Charlie BreitroseSophomore Elsa Ryan raced in the 600 meters and was part of the 4 x 800 relay. BOSTON — Celebration turned to consternation for Watertown High School’s girls track team on Thursday night. The 4 x 800 relay team crossed the line in second place at the MIAA Div. 5 Indoor Track Championships, but minutes later the Raiders were informed they had been disqualified. Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown girls 4 x 800 relay team celebrates after finishing second at the MIAA Div.

Around Town

Comprehensive Plan Update Includes Focus on Improving Watertown Square

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Watertown Square

When Watertown Business Coalition Co-President Bob Airasian mentioned that a city square or town center usually being “a place where people like to go,” it was greeted with a chuckle by many at a gathering this week. “It shouldn’t be a place that you are trying to avoid,” Airasian continued, “and when you are running a business in a place like that, I’m not an economist but, that can’t be good for business.” City officials want to change that, and will soon kick off a process to plan for the future of the area, and the entire City. During the WBC’s coffee connect, Watertown Planner Larry Field talked about the updating of Watertown’s Comprehensive Plan. New City Manager George Proakis said at Tuesday’s City Council meeting that he has made no secret that he wants to make adopting the new document a priority of his first few months on the job.

Entertainment

One Book, One Watertown Pick Inspires Free Music, Dance, & Discussion at Watertown Library

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

In December, the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) selected Big Girl by Mecca Jamilah Sullivan for the City’s One Book, One Watertown community read. As usual, extra copies flew off the library shelves. Now, with a full month of free performances, discussions, and guest talks coming up, the Library is drawing on the themes of the book to ask the community to reflect and wonder, who is permitted to take up space? It’s a question that resonates on many levels. Big Girl is a lyrical coming-of-age story that traces the personal and artistic awakening of Malaya Clondon, set to the rich soundtrack of 1990s Harlem. While the world at large seeks to shrink her body, her Blackness, her queerness, her desires, and her neighborhood, Malaya dares to imagine space for her to be her full self.