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

cliparting.com

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.

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

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.

Comprehensive Plan Update Includes Focus on Improving Watertown Square

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.

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

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.

City Manager Gives Outlook on Watertown’s Budget, Philosophy on Contract Negotiations

Watertown City Manager George Proakis. This week, School officials announced an agreement on the Watertown teachers’ contract, but even when that is signed Watertown has six unions on the municipal side yet to be settled. This week, the City Manager revealed his philosophy when approaching these negotiations and how the City budget could impact the talks. He released a memo to the City Council outlining the contracts and the Watertown budget at Tuesday’s Council meeting. While making the budget, Proakis said he and his team are following the Council’s budget priorities, which include creating walkable neighborhoods and small business programs, improving infrastructure, using green vehicles, and upgrading parks and playgrounds.