Around Town

Come Try Out the New Fun Fitness Equipment at Moxley Field

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The new Multi Fitness Stair Trainer will be unveiled at Moxley Field on Monday, Dec. 7 at 2:30 p.m.

As part of the Wellness the Watertown Way campaign, the schools purchased the equipment using money from the federal Carol White Physical Education Program Grant, or PEP Grant. Director of Wellness & Extended Services Donna Ruseckas said the equipment has a stair climbing element along with a slide. This was put in by the designers at Colliseum so instead of having to go back down on the stairs, which puts strain on knees and other joints, they slide and have some fun too! The equipment also includes other work out stations where students can do pull ups, dips and bounce a medicine ball off a wall off.

Police/Fire

Water Main Break on School Street Floods Road, Traffic Stopped

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A water main break Thursday night has caused problems on School Street, flooding streets and closing streets near Arsenal Street. Reports of loss of water came in shortly after 7 p.m. and flooding up to several inches deep on Cypress Street was reported by reader Jamie Richard. Watertown Police closed down School Street near Strip T’s restaurant and the Department of Public Works is working on fixing the pipe.

Environment

DCR Unveils First Draft of the Community Path in Watertown, Cambridge

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Residents wanted to see more access points to the bicycle and pedestrian path from Watertown to Cambridge and some worried about the safety of the path along the former railroad line at night. Dozens of interested residents from Watertown and Cambridge packed a room at the Atrium School Monday night to learn about what the Phase 2  of the Community Path (also called the Watertown-Cambridge Greenway) from Arlington Street to Fresh Pond will look like. Officials from the Department of Conservation and Recreation showed their preliminary plans for the new section of the path, which starts at Arlington Street near Nichols Avenue and Crawford Street, runs into Cambridge and ends at Fresh Pond. “People will be able to get around between Cambridge and Watertown a lot better,” said Dan Driscoll, director of Recreation Facilities Planning for the DCR. “There are still a few issues to work out but it is going to be a great project.”

Development

LETTER: Resident Pleased With Hearing on RMUD Zoning Changes

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Editor,

Congratulations to the Town Council and everyone from the community who testified at the RMUD hearing on Dec. 1. Mark Sideris ran an excellent hearing (as he always does) that gave full opportunity for all views to be heard, and many important points were brought up. Every Council member spoke thoughtfully about their reasons for favoring and/or questioning the proposed ordinance. The concerns about process I and others raised because of the timing of the hearing were allayed.

Entertainment

Arsenal Project’s Holiday Events Feature New Rep Actors and Singing

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Head to the Arsenal Project this weekend for two free children’s holiday happenings – one featuring actors from the New Rep Theatre and the other has singers from the Watertown Children’s Theatre. On Saturday, Dec. 5, actors from New Rep’s holiday production – “The Snow Queen” – will read from the play. That will be followed by music and winter crafts for kids of all ages. There will also be a raffle for a pair of tickets to The Snow Queen!

Food

Learn How to Make Edible Gifts During Event for Residents Age 55+

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Live Well Watertown and ChopChop Magazine will come together to present an event where residents age 55+ and their young guests can learn how to make healthy edible gifts. ChopChop: The Fun Cooking Magazine for Families invites you to come by yourself or bring a child, grandchild, niece or nephew, and learn how to make a delicious Striped Soup Mix. Participants will create an edible gift to give to someone this holiday season and samples will be served. The workshop will take place at the Community Room at the Apartments at Coolidge School, 319 Arlington St. in Watertown.

Around Town

See When Santa Arrives at the Commander’s Mansion Holiday Open House

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The Watertown Commander’s Mansion will deck the halls for the annual Holiday Open House on Thursday, Dec. 3. The event free and open to the community and runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the Watertown Fire Department will deliver Santa at 6 p.m.

Take a self-guided tour of the decorated rooms on both floors of the mansion. The decorations come courtesy of Watertown Home Depot. Watertown Savings Bank will bring Santa, and you can visit him from from 6-8 p.m. Make sure you bring your camera!

Arsenal Project

Residents Say RMUD Moving Too Fast, Want More Details from Mall Owner

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Around 100 people packed the Town Council Chambers and spilled into the hallway Tuesday night for the public hearing about proposed changes that would pave the way for a transformation of the former Arsenal Mall. More than a dozen residents spoke, many saying they believe more time and thought should be given before making such a major change that impacts a large swath of land on the eastern end of Arsenal Street. The proposed Regional Mixed Use District includes the Arsenal Project, the Watertown Mall and parts of Elm Street and Coolidge Avenue. The Council did not vote on the changes to the town’s zoning ordinance, but Town Council President Mark Siders reminded his fellow councilors that they must make their decision within 90 days of the of meeting where the Planning Board passed it to the Council ‘s, which would be Feb. 4, 2016.