Mosesian Arts Plans First Holiday Makers Market, Deadline Approaching

The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:

The Mosesian Center for the Arts, at the Arsenal on the Charles in Watertown, will hold its first Holiday Makers Market on November 25 and 26. The arts center invites artists working in ceramics, jewelry, printmaking, painting, illustration, fine arts, fiber, metals, glass, and mixed media to apply. Artists will display and sell their work in the gallery and performance spaces. Fees will be charged for tables, but no commission or portion of sales will be taken. Member artists of the arts center receive a discounted rate. The deadline for artists to apply to participate is Sunday, October 15. Further details and a link to the application form are on the Mosesian Arts website at www.mosesianarts.org.

Watertown Company Cleans Up Along Charles River During Day of Service

A team of employees from WiTricity cleaned up the riverfront near Watertown Square. (Courtesy of WiTricity)

The following information was provided by WiTricity:

Headquartered in Watertown Square, WiTricity is the global leader in wireless charging with a particular focus on wirelessly charging electric vehicles. As part of our commitment to our community and to environmental responsibility, more than 30 people from the WiTricity team spent the afternoon dedicated to community service by cleaning up the area surrounding the river at the Galen Street Bridge on Oct. 5. WiTricity employees painted a bench along the Charles River during a day of service.

LETTER: Industrial Noise Pollution from Watertown Impacting Newton Neighbors

Dear Watertown News editor,

I’m writing to ensure that you, and your readers, are aware of an issue at Watertown’s border. Industrial noise pollution is dominating the Charles River and the residential neighborhoods it borders. Those of us most affected have formed an association and reached out to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection seeking immediate help in ensuring the installation of noise-mitigation devices such as sound blankets and fan silencers. The corridor of Pleasant Street along the Charles River has seen an expansion of noise-generating ventilation fans, chillers and evaporators among the commercial buildings directly on the Charles River. The businesses that directly border the Charles River and regularly generate noise include Griffith Properties, 580 Pleasant Street; Charles River Automotive, 594 Pleasant Street; and Arranta Bio/ReciBio, 650 Pleasant Street.

State Rep. Owens Hosting Pair of Office Hours in October

State Rep. Steve Owens

The following announcement was provide by State Rep. Steve Owens’ office:

State Rep. Steve Owens, a Democrat in the 29th Middlesex District made up of parts of Watertown and Cambridge, has upcoming office hours in Cambridge and Watertown. The Cambridge office hours will take place on October 10 from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. at Sarah’s Market & Cafe, 200 Concord Ave, Cambridge. Rep. Owens will be joined by Watertown City Councilor Nicole Gardner for office hours on October 20 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Uncommon Grounds, 575 Mt Auburn St, Watertown. For information, call (617) 722-2460, send an email here or visit Room 446 at the Massachusetts State House.

Watertown Schools Receive Recognition, Superintendent Gets Raise & More

By Kendra FoleySchool Committee Chair

The 2023-2024 school year is underway in Watertown and we hope you are having a good start to your year. 

Our year began with exciting news, as the Hosmer Elementary School was honored by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a School of Recognition. Hosmer was only one of 66 schools in the state to earn this title as part of DESE’s release of MCAS data and accountability metrics. Our district as a whole also earned high marks from the state. You can read more about the recognition in Ms. Moulton’s newsletter to the Hosmer community. Watertown High School was also recognized for strong academic achievement, earning a place on the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll with a Silver Distinction.

Hear from People Leading Watertown Square Revitalization Effort at Kick-Off Event

The City of Watertown sent out the following information:

Join us for the Watertown Square Plan Kick-off Event – A (more) Walkable Watertown on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from 6-8 p.m. at 64 Pleasant Street. Meet with project team representatives, including walkability guru Jeff Speck and Utile project lead Tim Love, to discuss the current condition of the Square, hear how communities can reimagine important spaces, and learn about the team’s next steps! See the Watertown Square Plan website here.

Closings in Watertown for Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day Holiday

Several City facilities will be closed on Monday, Oct. 9 for the Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day holiday. The City of Watertown provided the following information:

Watertown City Hall and Senior Center are closed on Monday, October 9, 2023 in observance of the Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day holiday. Please be aware that the trash and recycling pickup schedule for the week will be Tuesday, October 10 through Saturday, October 14, 2023. Also, the Watertown Free Public Library will be closed on Monday, according to the Library’s website.

LETTER: Resident Backs School Committee Candidate in November Election

Dear Watertown voters,

I’m writing to urge voters to elect Lisa Capoccia for School Committee. For those of you, like myself, who do not have school age children or grandchildren in Watertown, we know a healthy, thriving community requires a healthy, thriving school community. We appreciate the importance of living in a city where the School Committee has members who walk-the-walk to help create an “exceptional and equitable educational experience” for all students. Lisa commits to this mission in her campaign statement and she has worked on this mission for years.  

I know Lisa through friends and our community work.