Watertown Resident Named Woman to Watch by MassCPAs

Tracy Noga

Watertown resident Tracy Noga, PhD, CPA, was selected as a 2024 Women to Watch Award winner by the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MassCPAs), the professional association of certified public accountants, representing over 11,500 members. The awards recognize women who have made outstanding contributions to the accounting profession, their communities, their firms or companies and to the development of women as leaders.  

Noga, professor and accounting department chair at Bentley University, is one of seven women selected to receive a 2024 Women to Watch Award. She is being honored in the Experienced Leader category, reserved for women with more than 15 years of experience in accounting. Awards are also presented in the Emerging Leader category, which is reserved for women with fewer than 15 years of experience in the profession. 

“MassCPAs is proud to recognize these exceptional women for their outstanding contributions to the accounting profession and their communities,” said Zach Donah, CAE, president and CEO of MassCPAs. “Tracy’s leadership and dedication have made a significant impact on our industry, and we’re excited to celebrate her achievements.” 

Noga brings over 25 years of diverse accounting experience to her role as a leader in academia and professional practice.

Library’s 4th Annual Watertown Zine Fest Spotlights DIY Creators

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:

On Saturday, October 19, the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) will be a hive of activity during the Fourth Watertown Zine Fest, a day-long celebration of zine-making and do-it-yourself creativity. All are welcome, even if you don’t know what a zine is! For the uninitiated, here’s a quick primer: Zines are small, self-published works featuring original or repurposed content, often replicated by photocopier and/or shared online. Their subjects are as varied and diverse as their creators, covering everything from art and music to politics and personal stories. Because they cover so much ground, zines are hard to define!

Comics: Small Saves Looks for a Needle in a Stack of Hockey Gear

James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Watertown Store Named 2024 Mass Save Climate Leader

The Sponsors of Mass Save® announced the 2024 Mass Save Climate Leaders. This distinguished recognition honors 19 entities across Massachusetts for their ongoing efforts to curb energy use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and guide the Commonwealth to a net-zero future. One Watertown store made the list. The 2024 Mass Save Climate Leaders represent a range of industries and sectors including museums, grocery, education, healthcare, hospitality, municipalities, and more. Each honoree has shown a deep commitment to addressing the climate crisis by taking significant measures toward a sustainable future through energy efficient upgrades.  

The 2024 cohort of Climate Leaders is helping Massachusetts lead the nation in energy efficiency and meet the Healey-Driscoll administration’s ambitious 2050 climate goals by reducing environmental impacts and lowering energy costs. Each honoree exemplifies how environmentally conscious actions drive economic success and a positive climate future for the Commonwealth. 

The 2024 Mass Save Climate Leaders are: 

Acton-Boxborough Regional School District 

Berkshire Family YMCA 

BioMed Realty 

Boston College 

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program 

Bristol Community College 

BXP 

City of Boston 

City of Melrose 

Fitchburg Art Museum 

Hampton Inn & Suites Cape Cod – West Yarmouth 

Häns Kissle 

Mass General Brigham – Martha’s Vineyard Hospital 

Moderna, Inc. 

Munters Corporation 

Roche Bros.

UPDATED – LETTER: Watertown Resident Evaluates Ballot Questions

By Matt Lashof-Sullivan

Hey Watertown neighbors. Another election season is approaching and so it’s time for everyone to decide how they are going to vote this November. For many years I have sent out voting information and a list of endorsements for our local elections to my friends and immediate neighbors. This year, I decided to share them with a larger group, so I hope you find this helpful. How to Vote

To vote in person, go to your polling place on November 5th. 

We can all also vote by mail again, and you can still request a mail-in ballot until October 26th by using this form or otherwise by sending a letter to the city clerk.

MassDOT to Begin Changes to Area Around Mass Pike Exit at Newton Corner

MassDOT’s study area at Newton Corner. The following announcement came from a newsletter sent out by Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will begin work in a few weeks on some immediate changes to the complicated convergence in Newton Corner where there are exit and entrance ramps to the Mass Pike that intersect with major streets (Washington Street, Centre Street, Galen Street, Charlesbank Road, Park Street and more). These changes are primarily focused on safety concerns and involve an upgrade to one traffic signal and the addition of another, quite different signal operations, a marked change in the use of lanes via different pavement markings, and new signage in and around the Newton Corner circle. The Newton Corner Short-Term Improvement Project is the first step in MassDOTs mid- and longer-term improvement projects at these roads and highway ramps over the Mass Pike. We know this is an inhospitable area for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

LETTER: A Plan to Spur Affordable Housing in Watertown Square

Throughout the Watertown Square planning process, one concern was raised above all others: the urgent need for more affordable housing. We heard this again and again, in public remarks and written testimony, from residents across the political and socioeconomic spectrum. We have been calling for improvements to the Plan’s approach to affordable housing since the spring. With the unanimous passage of the Watertown Square Area Plan and the release of a draft zoning proposal from our city planners, Watertown’s elected officials now have an opportunity to address the primary concern of its residents. They have a directive to implement policies that can effectively and rapidly generate new affordable housing.

Mt. Auburn St. Project: Drainage Installation Work Starting This Week

Drainage installation begins this week as part of the reconstruction of Mt. Auburn Street. (Courtesy of City of Watertown)

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Newport Construction has begun preparing for drainage installation on Mount Auburn Street, with work set to begin on October 2, 2024. The project will start at the Cambridge line near 805 and 821 Mount Auburn St. and progress towards the intersection of Mount Auburn Street and Arlington Street.