Council Debates How Watertown Can Have a Voice in the 2024 Olympics

If Boston hosts the 2024 Olympics, one of the biggest events on earth will take place just minutes away from Watertown, but right now the town is not on the list of towns participating in the planning. The Town Council wants to change that, but disagreed on how to do so. On Tuesday, the Town Council discussed whether to create a committee to plan for the Olympics and fight to get Watertown a voice in decisions being made about the Olympics. Councilor Tony Palomba, who first proposed the Ad Hoc Watertown Olympic Committee, said some of the events could be as close as Harvard University, and if they come he hopes Watertown can benefit from the games. “The fact that Watertown is such a unique place could be marketed to benefit us economically,” Palomba said.

Mix 104.1 DJs Grab a Bite with Listeners at Watertown Restaurant

About 20 lucky Mix 104.1 listeners got the chance to dine with DJs Fast Freddy and Gregg Daniels at Not Your Average Joe’s in Watertown. Tuesday’s meal was part of the “Meet Me for Lunch” series put on by Mix 104.1. Along with Gregg and Freddy, the lucky listeners also got to meet co-host of their afternoon show, Amanda Giles. “We like get together with listeners in small groups,” Freddy said. Gregg added, “We do a lot of big events, it is nice to see people up close and hang out.

Forum Planned by Tri-Community Group Working to End Homelessness

Three communities, including Watertown, have teamed up to try to end homelessness, and a forum is planned on Sunday, April 26. To raise awareness of the unprecedented growth in the number of homeless families and individuals in Massachusetts, the Tricommunity Coalition to End Homelessness is sponsoring “The Many Faces of Homelessness,” a forum to discuss homelessness in the communities of Belmont, Waltham and Watertown. Supported by local civic and religious organizations, the event focuses attention on the realities of the homeless populations in our towns. The Forum will be held on Sunday, April 26 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish Hall, 130 Common Street, Belmont.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Easier This Year, Starts Saturday

The process has become easier for Watertown residents to dispose of items such as garden chemicals, motor oil and other automotive fluids, kitchen cleaners and other household hazardous waste. Disposing of household hazardous waste is free and Watertown residents no longer have to pre-register – just bring proof of residency. The town sent the following announcement and the first disposal day will be Saturday, April 18 in Lexington:

The Town of Watertown is pleased to announce the 2015 schedule for collection of Household Hazardous Waste Products. As in the past years, the collection will take place at the Minuteman Household Hazardous Products Facility at 60 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates (which are Saturdays unless otherwise indicated):

April 18th
May 16th
June 20th
July 18th
August 15th
September 13th (this is a SUNDAY)
October 17th
November 7th

This event is free of charge to Watertown residents. Advanced registration is NO LONGER required; Watertown residents must bring identification or proof of Watertown residency to participate in a collection event.

Council Approves Town Building Renovations, Vehicle Purchases

Watertown’s capital improvement plans will focus on repairs to the some schools, library, two fire stations and Town Hall, as well as purchasing new vehicles. Tuesday night, the Council approved the Fiscal 2016-20 Capital Improvement Plan Tuesday night. See the entire list of recommendations adopted by the council by clicking here. The Council is working on the Fiscal 2016 budget, which begins on July 1, 2015. But it also includes recommendations from Fiscal 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Last Chance for Nominations for WHS Athletics Hall of Fame

The Watertown High School Athletic Hall of Fame announces the deadline for nominating members for this year’s class is Thursday April 30. Founded in 1992, the Hall honors individuals and teams who have made significant contributions to the community through their time as student-athletes or in support of various athletic programs at Watertown High School. This year’s inductees will be honored at the banquet in the fall. Recent inductees include former Raider greats Bob Murgo, Renee Gaudette, George Salvitti, and current boys’ basketball coach Steve Harrington. For more information about the Hall, and how to nominate your favorite athlete, visit wcatv.org/watertown-hall-fame.

New Assisted Living Center Opens in Watertown Square

More than 200 people gathered at The Residence at Watertown Square Wednesday evening to celebrate the Grand Opening of Watertown’s newest assisted living and memory care community for seniors.  Watertown-area officials and residents, staff associates, Watertown Square community residents and LCB Senior Living staff joined in celebration, culminating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to the announcement from LCB Senior Living. The Residence at Watertown Square, located at the corner of Spring and Summer streets, is a unique community, offering seniors a unique combination of sophisticated city living and access to the area’s many resources and attractions. The community includes 90 Independent, Assisted and Memory Care Living apartments. Independent Living residents at the community will have their own apartment with kitchenette and bath, along with the peace of mind of 24-hour security, three gourmet meals prepared and served restaurant style on-site, available laundry and cleaning services, a full activities program, building and grounds maintenance, and a host of optional services. Assisted Living residents will have all of the above, along with assistance with the activities of daily living, including dressing, bathing medication reminders, and other services.

Help Out on One Boston Day at Watertown’s Filippello Park

Volunteers are sought to help clean up Filippello Park on One Boston Day. 

Classic Rock Radio Station, WZLX – 100.7, is recruiting its listeners to help clean up Filippello Park as a service to the town of Watertown on April 15, 2015 from 10 a.m. to noon, in commemoration of One Boston Day, “a holiday aimed at honoring ‘the resiliency, generosity and strength of the city’ on the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings.”

All are welcome to participate. Various town departments will be assisting the WZLX team with this effort. Please use the 195 Grove Street entrance. WZLX contact: Chris Rucker, 617-746-1462

Watertown Health Department contact: Deborah Rosati, 617-972-6446