Around Town

Watertown Resident Expands Efforts to Curtail Use of Plastics

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Joshua TousterWatertown’s Eileen Ryan, founder of Beyond Plastics Greater Boston, advocated for legislation to limit plastic in front of the State House. Several years ago, Watertown’s Eileen Ryan pushed for Watertown to pass a plastic shopping bag ban, and now she has expanded her efforts statewide. In April, she founded Beyond Plastics Greater Boston, a local chapter of the national group Beyond Plastic. “After we passed the ban (in 2016) we all patted ourselves on the back and thought we did a great job. We really noticed that there are fewer plastic bags in the river, in trees around Watertown,” Ryan said.

Around Town

Watertown Resident Hikes to Raise Money for Domestic Violence Survivors

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More than 40 women — including Watertown resident, Sarah Kacevich — participated in Wilderness Heals, a fund-raiser for Stone House. Pictured (Front, l-r): Shannon Walsh, Christie MacKenzie, Jess Gallo; Back Row, l-r: Karin Downs, Heather McSween, Karen Johnson, Gina Varamo, Beth Grierson, Rosa Licea, Kacevich, and Jayne Lynch. The following information was provided by Stone House:

Watertown resident, Sarah Kacevich, recently spent a weekend with more than 40 women participating in Wilderness Heals, an all-women pledge hike that builds and engages a community of supporters to raise money for Stone House, an inclusive and essential home and community space for domestic violence survivors located in Roxbury. As Stone House’s largest fundraiser, Wilderness Heals raises unrestricted, crucial funding that helps meet the needs of the families served by the organization. The hiking took place in the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

Election 2022

Watertown Voting Places May Move in 2022 Elections

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Many Watertown voters may not be voting at their usual polling places during the Massachusetts State Primary on Sept. 6. The primary will nominate candidates for the general election on Nov. 8 in several elected positions, including: governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, Congress, the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives, and the Governor’s Council. Watertown has proposed using five voting locations for the City’s 12 precincts.

Around Town

Ayr Wellness Opens Medical & Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary in Watertown

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Ayr WellnessAyr Wellness opened a cannabis dispensary on North Beacon Street in Watertown, where it will sell medical and adult-use marijuana. Watertown’s third, and final, cannabis dispensary opened for business in early July, offering both adult use and medical marijuana products. Ayr Watertown opened for business at 48 North Beacon St. in Watertown on July 12 for adult use marijuana (also known as recreational) sales, and in late July received approval to sell medical products to patients with Massachusetts medical marijuana cards. The dispensary turned the former Anthony’s Florist building into a bright, open space for its customers and patients.

Around Town

Dogs Reported Off-Leash in City Parks, Could Cause Hazard to Users of Fields & Athletic Facilities

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City of WatertownThe Watertown Health Department reminds people that dogs are not allowed in City Parks except for designated dog park areas. The Watertown Health Department has received reports of loose pets in City parks, in violation of City rules. Dogs that relieve themselves outside the dedicated dog parks can create a hazard for people, said Watertown Health Director Larry Ramdin. “We have been observing several pets loose outside of our dog parks in the grassed areas in the parks reserved for sports,” Ramdin said. “Dogs defecating in those parks poses a secondary risk to children who use the parks for recreation.”

Affordable Housing

DATE CHANGE: Learn About Applying for Community Preservation Funds at Upcoming Workshops

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The date of one of the Community Preservation Act Application Workshops has been moved from Aug. 9 to Aug. 10. See the information below:

The first two projects to receive Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding were approved in 2022, and those seeking to submit their projects in the next round of funding can get information about the process at an upcoming CPA Application Workshop. CPA funds can be used in four areas: affordable housing, historic preservation, open space, and outdoor recreation.