Around Town

Funds for Walker Pond Planning Study Recommended by Community Preservation Committee

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Photo by Leo MartinWalker Pond, on the Westside of Watertown, is one of the town’s hidden wetlands and a the Community Preservation Committee recommended funds be spent to do a study for improving the property. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Preservation Committee:

The Watertown Community Preservation Committee voted at its Feb. 15 meeting to recommend to the City Council that it fund Walker Pond planning studies and a public engagement process to develop a master plan for use of the site. The 7 acre Walker Pond site was purchased by the city in December 2022. The City’s Department of Community Development and Planning (DCDP) requested use of Community Preservation Act (CPA) monies for this first phase of creating a new park.

Police/Fire

Police Warn of Phone Scam Using WPD’s Phone Number

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The Watertown Police sent out the following information about a scam that was reported on Wednesday, Feb. 28:

This morning, a private citizen received a phone call from the Watertown Police Phone Number (617-972-6500) and the caller Identified themselves as Chief Hanrahan. The caller knew the citizen’s full name and then proceeded to tell her “we have illegal orders for you, if you don’t cooperate we are going to come to your house and arrest you”. When the citizen asked how to cooperate, she was told to provide certain personal information. The citizens’ instincts were correct and decided not to cooperate and hung up the phone.

Around Town

City Seeks Artists to Design Bike Racks in Four Locations

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The Community Path entrance on Main Street near Halfway Cafe is one location where bike racks will be installed. (Courtesy of City of Watertown)

The City of Watertown sent out the following information about the call for art for Bike Rack Design & Fabrication:

Four locations are available for artists, designers, or artist teams to design up to four bike racks. Artists may submit up to four designs and indicate which sites they are most interested in. For example, you may design one bike rack that you would like used across all four sites or four site specific bike racks, or one bike rack for one location, etc. Selected artist(s) will be paid $5,000 per bike rack.

Government

LETTER: Vote on Tuesday, March 5 – Participate in Democracy

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Every four years, this year on Tuesday, March 5th, United States citizens will exercise their right to vote for the candidate of their choice in the Presidential Primary Elections.Take the initiative to make a difference by casting your ballot; whether by mail; early voting process; or in person. On the Democratic ballot, the electorate will also vote their preference for the offices of Democratic State Committee Man and Woman. A slate of 35 candidates, also needs your support to serve on the Democratic Town Committee. Either vote for individuals, or the entire group.The Town Committee works to promote the objectives of the Democratic Party. 

To the surprise of many; names come and go from the roster of candidates, listed on the ballot for the Democratic Town Committee. To note: quasi term-limits do exist in some elected positions.

Around Town

Watertown Library Gives Teens a Chance to Learn Weaving, Metalworking & Mural Making

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

The Watertown Free Public Library Teen Department is offering a five-part art series for area teens during the months of February, March, and April. Beyond our Experience: a Free Art Series for Teens is funded in part by a grant from the Watertown Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Through this funding, those in grades 6–12 will have the opportunity to experience kinds of art not normally a part of the typical school curriculum. The series kicks off on February 29th with a weaving program. Participants will get the opportunity to try out weaving on multiple types of looms. On March 7th, a drawing bootcamp will include warm-ups and the ability to try out different drawing methods including how to draw portraits.

Entertainment

Get Inspired for Watertown’s Annual Townwide Art Project

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YardArt Watertown”PaTRASHia” was one of the pieces made for Watertown’s YardArt. The following announcement was provided by YardArt:

YardArt returns to Watertown this year for the entire month of April. The community-wide event begins Monday, April 1 and lasts through Tuesday, April 30, 2024. A variety of artful and whimsical installations will be displayed on front yards, porches, and storefronts throughout Watertown. Watertown residents, families, organizations, clubs, classes, artists, and businesses are invited to create something of their own–a gizmo, a sculpture, an art project, a lighting arrangement—let your imagination run free!

Around Town

LETTER: State Committeewoman Endorses Candidates for State GOP Committee

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To the Republican voters of Belmont, Watertown, Alston, Back Bay, Brighton, and (now) Cambridge Wards….. Since 2016, has been my honor to serve the people of the Second Suffolk-Middlesex senate district as the Massachusetts Republican State Committeewoman. For most of these years, I served alongside Steve Aylward, designer and successful promoter of “Tank the Automatic Gas Tax” campaign. In 2018, I served as the state chair of the “NO on 3!” ballot question to repeal what we called the “Bathroom and Locker Room Law.”  Our campaign was never about discrimination but always about protecting women and children in public accommodations. Two years ago, John Umina was selected by the local Republican town and city committees to fill out Steve Aylward’s unexpired term. It’s my pleasure to endorse John Umina and his wife, Cathy, as candidates for the Republican State Committee. I have volunteered alongside the Uminas in numerous campaigns.

Around Town

Watertown Native’s Whiskey Will Soon be Available for Purchase by Local Residents

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Drink creator Mikey Bortone named his coconut whiskey after his hometown. (Courtesy of Watertown Whiskey)

The following release was provided by Watertown Whiskey:

Mikey Bortone named his coconut whiskey after his hometown but, until now, the only way the people of Watertown, Massachusetts could get it was by ordering online. That changes on March 1, 2024, as Watertown Whiskey, the refreshing, low sugar coconut whiskey, has its official East Coast launch in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. “It has always been one of our top priorities to have Watertown Whiskey for sale in Watertown,” says Mikey Bortone, CEO and co-founder of Watertown Whiskey, who started the brand with childhood friends Steve Cicarelli and Mark O’Donnell. “We’re thrilled to start our national expansion in Massachusetts as well as in Rhode Island and are looking forward to bringing our whiskey to bars, restaurants and retailers across the country soon.”

Watertown Whiskey is partnering with Atlantic Beverage Distributors as a part of this expansion and is excited at the prospects that this partnership will bring.