Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/author/guest-writer/page/167/?sfw=pass1705501616)
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.”
Richard “Riche” Kelly
Captain Richard ‘Riche’ Kelly, days short of his 85th birthday, of Watertown and his treasured home on Baker Road in West Yarmouth, passed peacefully on November 15 atNorth Hill in Needham, MA. Riche was the son of the late Michael and Katherine (Cannon) Kelly who immigrated from Ireland in the early 20th century. Riche was the youngest of 5 brothers: the late Watertown Police Chief Joseph P. Kelly (the late Kathleen), Francis Kelly, Vincent Kelly, and James (the late Priscilla). Riche is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Mary Agnes (Fitzgerald). Riche’s enduring legacy is in his love and devotion for his wife and family.
The following information was provided by the Rotary Club of Watertown and the WBC:
The 2nd Annual Holiday Mixer and Toy Drive, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Watertown and the Watertown Business Coalition will take place at the Mosesian Center for the Arts!
Light Bites will be served
Cash bar
Admission is free to anyone bringing a toy to donate
Those coming without a toy are encouraged to bring a $20 (or more) donation to the Whooley Foundation
The event will be held on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the lobby of the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown. Anyone interested in becoming a food or entertainment sponsor for this event should email Kim Severino at: Hello@elationmeetingsandevents.com
RSVP Here!
Has Watertown already fully or partially complied with the MBTA Law? How can I get involved in making Watertown Square a more attractive and vibrant city center? Watertown has been a leader, along with Boston, Cambridge and Everett in permitting more than half the multifamily housing units in the Greater Boston area, according to “Greater Boston Housing Report Card”…The Boston Foundation. Watertown is cited in a 2019 Boston Globe article entitled “NIMBY? Not These Cities and Towns.” As a matter of fact, Watertown may have already complied with its housing zoning mandate for the MBTA Law, because, in reality, that is the point of the MBTA Law … to zone for more housing.
To the editor of Watertown News. There is clearly a profound shortage of affordable housing nationwide and here in Watertown. At the same time there is a huge number of empty storefronts everywhere. What is being done to convert at least al portion of those vacant commercial properties into residences? It seems an obvious solution — most storefronts are in areas served by mass transit so would suit individuals or families who can’t afford or don’t want cars.
The City of Watertown released details of the Watertown Square Area Design Charrette, and what times the public can come and participate over the three days. The City sent out the following information:
We are excited to share this invitation to attend one or more of the working group sessions at the Watertown Square Area Design Charrette on November 29 and 30, 2023. Each session will focus on a key issue in developing a Watertown Square Area Plan; these sessions are in addition to the drop-in opportunities and general meetings scheduled during the three-day charrette. All working group sessions will be held on the 2nd floor at 64 Pleasant Street.
A charrette is a collaborative planning process during which an interdisciplinary team of planners, designers, transportation experts, city officials, residents, business owners, other interested people, and most importantly you, work together to create a shared design vision of a particular area.
The charrette will start Tuesday evening, November 28, 2023 (6:30pm – 8:30pm), with an existing conditions analysis, feedback from the Kitchen Table Conversations (KTCs), and a summary of results from the Polis survey (you can participate in the Polis at https://pol.is/6vbuxzxrff through November 17, 2023).On November 29 and 30, 2023 (during the morning and afternoon), the project team and City staff will invite input from the community and interested groups through the working group meetings, as the team sketches options for Watertown Square’s challenges. On the second evening, there is an “interim progress drop-in session” for members of the public to see and informally discuss the day’s work. During the final evening (November 30), the consultant team will present scenarios that will inform the next phase of our project and vision of Watertown Square.
By Linda ScottWatertown Resident
Is There Any Other Way? – What other Strategies can we use to add to Watertown’s housing stock? People, there just has to be a better way or a combination of better ways for us to provide affordable housing and grow our community. Here are just four possible approaches:
1) One way that we could add significantly to affordable housing units in Watertown would be by banning STR’s (short term rentals … AirB&B’s) in Watertown. There are hundreds of them in Watertown.
The following information came from the Mosesian Center for the Arts:
On November 25 & 26, the Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving Weekend, join Mosesian Arts for our first Holiday Makers Market! Crafters, creatives, artists, and artisans from Watertown, Greater Boston, and around New England offer a wide range of affordable, giftable, one-of-a-kind creations. We’ve got jewelry, pottery, handknits, and greeting cards; calendars, paintings, ornaments, photo prints, and so much more to choose from. The Makers Market also coincides with our annual Members Exhibition in the MCA galleries, with many pieces for sale, which we encourage all visitors to explore. In addition to our artist vendors, we’ll be joined both days by Lawson’s Finest Liquids for a pop-up brewery event in the MBar, and by local food vendors and musicians.