Government

Union Approves Proposed Watertown Firefighters Contract

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Watertown’s firefighters approved the contract proposal Wednesday night, and after more than six years the contract is one step from being approved. Members of Local 1347 voted on the memorandum of understanding reached by the negotiating teams from the fire union and the town last week. Fire Union President Rob Mannix said it “passed comfortably,” but did not give any further details. The contract must now be approved by the Town Council before it will be officially approved. Firefighters have been at this point before.

Around Town

Watertown Hosting Events to Erase the Stigma of Opioid Addiction

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A number of town groups and town departments will join together for Erase the Stigma Week from Oct. 19-25. The Town, through the Departments of Health, Police and Recreation, community-based service and advocacy organizations, and concerned individuals have come together in a timely fashion to develop an Action Plan, according to the event announcement. The centerpiece of the Plan is a week of educational programs, awareness activities, and publicity schedule from Oct. 19 to Oct.

Elections

LETTER: Watertown Man Announces Candidacy for Library Trustee

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Sheppard Ferguson, former President of Booksellers of Harvard Square, is on the ballot to be elected a Trustee of the Watertown Free Public Library. He believes his career creating and managing successful bookselling companies and as a free lance photographer working internationally will add strength and breadth of experience to the Board as it advises and assists the ongoing work of the library and its Director. An avid user of the library (1,676 check-outs in five years), Ferguson joined the Long Range Planning Committee of the library last winter. Since he has spent many hours studying the Library and Town’s planning and budget documents and talked with dozens of people about the library. Not surprisingly Ferguson confirmed that the Library is well loved by its users from Watertown and many surrounding communities, and is supported by the Town Council and Administration.

Football

Watertown Football Team Seeks Third Straight Playoff Berth

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Coach John Cacace and the Watertown High School football team start their campaign to earn a third straight MIAA playoff berth this Friday at Victory Field. The Raiders face a challenging schedule, which includes a trip to Rhode Island and a home date with Belmont on Thanksgiving Day. On Friday, Watertown hosts Arlington Catholic at 7 p.m. at Victory Field, 60 Orchard St. 2015 Watertown High School Football Schedule
Friday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m. vs.

District B

Council Candidates Speak About Neighborhoods, Helping the Less Fortunate

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During last week’s candidate forum, the District B hopefuls had a variety of takes on how – and whether – the town should protect Watertown’s neighborhoods. They also talked about helping the seniors and the less fortunate in town. District B Councilor Cecilia Lenk said she wants to protect the town’s residential neighborhoods from having smaller homes torn down and replaced with bigger multi-unit developments. This could be done with design guidelines for neighborhoods, like what was recently passed for commercial areas of Watertown. “I recently put forward a motion to the Council, and it was sent to the Economic Development Committee, to have a discussion of the needs of neighborhoods,” Lenk said.

Sports

See the Schedule of Meets for the Watertown Cross Country Teams

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Watertown High School’s boys’ and girls’ school cross country teams are getting ready to start their seasons this week. Both teams will have a scrimmage this week, and then start the competitions that count with a home meet on Sept. 16 against Winchester. Generally, the boys and girls compete at the same meets, with different starting times. Home meets are held at Arsenal Park – 145 Talcott Ave.

Entertainment

Watertown Cultural Council Looking for Events, Projects to Fund

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Got an event, activity, or community festival that needs funding? The Watertown Cultural Council (WCC) is preparing to allocate grants for 2015 and is looking for proposals for community-oriented projects in the arts, humanities, and science. All applications are due (postmarked) by Oct. 15, 2015, according to the announcement from the WCC. Any organization, school, individual, or group may apply for a WCC grant.

Around Town

Here’s What’s Going On at the Watertown Library in September

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The Watertown Free Public Library has some new programs to check out in September, including computer coding for girls, and the playwright’s reading room. Here are some of the many events at the Watertown Free Public Library this month:

Exploring the Charles River
Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m.
How much do we know about the river that flows almost at our doorstep? Author Kathleen Rowe will tell about her exploration of the Charles River and various places of interest along its 80-mile course in her new book, Exploring the Charles River. Books will be available for sale.