Around Town

Plans for Passive Park to be Discussed at 2nd DCR Meeting on Former GSA Site

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The Department of Conservation and Recreation will host the second virtual public meeting about a proposed Charles River Reservation passive park at the former 13 acre “GSA site” in East Watertown. The DCR’s design team will present early (25%) plans for a passive park between Coolidge Avenue and Arsenal Street, including paths, seating, improved bike/pedestrian access, accessible features, and ecological upgrades. See the slide presentation by clicking here. When: Thursday, May 7, 6-7:30 p.m.Register: Please follow this linkQuestions: email mass.parks@mass.gov | 617-626-4973

You can share feedback during the meeting, and a recording will be posted afterward. Additional comments are accepted on this public comment portal through May 21.

Around Town

Watertown Playground Named for Soldier Killed in Vietnam Will be Upgraded

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Drawings of plans for renovating the Lt. Paul Sullivan Playground. (Source: City of Watertown)

A playground named in honor of a Watertown man who died in Vietnam will be getting an update, with new play structures and paving. The City Council received a report on the Sullivan Playground project at the April 28 meeting. The playground located at the corner of Mt. Auburn and Arlington streets was dedicated in honor of Lt. Paul Sullivan in 1969, a year after he died in Vietnam where he served in the U.S. Army Rangers.

Around Town

DPW Saves Family of Ducks from Storm Drain in Watertown

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A distraught mother duck was reunited with her ducklings with a helping hand from the Watertown Department of Public Works. On April 29, the City’s Animal Control office received a call from two residents on Arsenal Street who spotted the duck pacing around and calling for help, according to the report on WBZ Radio. The ducklings had fallen into a storm drain, according to the City of Watertown’s social media post. “DPW and Animal Control responded and, after some effort, were able to remove the drain cover and rescue all 13 baby ducks! They rejoined mom and waddled away,” the City’s social media post said.

Entertainment

Noah Kahan References Watertown in a Song on His New Album

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Noah Kahan, from his Facebook page. Watertown got a shoutout in Noah Kahan’s latest album “The Great Divide.” The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter said he enjoyed the time he spent living in town. The City of Watertown noted the City’s connection to the album in an Instagram post on April 30. Thank you Noah Kahan for the Watertown mention in your song “Orbiter” in your new album “The Great Divide.”

Schools

School Officials Outline Strategies to Improve Watertown’s Special Education Program

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A study of the Watertown Public Schools’ special education found a number of areas of concerns, including a lack of uniformity, a need for better communication with families, and a distrust among parents of students in the program. A group called the Special Education Strategy Development Committee, made up of 31 people from different levels in the schools, as well as parents, discussed Watertown’s special education data, reports from state on the district’s special education program, as well as the report from AthenaK12. The district committee put out a Special Education Success Strategy report. The special education committee pointed to multiple areas to focus on to improve the program for students with special needs, said Kathy Desmarais, Watertown’s Director of Student Services. One issue rose to the top in the report.

Food

Restaurants Won’t be Allowed to Automatically Include Plastic Utensils Under New Ordinance

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Restaurants in Watertown will not longer be able to automatically include packets of plastic utensils with takeout or deliver orders. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A new ordinance approved by the City Council prohibits restaurants from automatically including plastic utensils with takeout orders, however customers can request these items when they order or pick up their food. The Council considered the Skip the Stuff ordinance at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. “Watertown Skip the Stuff ordinance is designed to reduce unnecessary plastic waste in our community,” said City Councilor Nicole Gardner. “Under this simple, common sense policy, restaurants and food businesses will no longer automatically include items like plastic utensils, straws and condiment packets with takeout or delivery orders.”