Watertown Hires First Human Resources Director

Colleen Doyle has been hired as Watertown’s first Human Resources Director. (Courtesy of the City of Watertown)

The City of Watertown hired the new, and first, director of the Human Resources Department. The department replaces the Personnel Department. The City sent out the following announcement of the new hire:

City Manager George Proakis is pleased to announce that Colleen Doyle will join Watertown on Oct. 12, 2023 as the City’s first Director of our new Human Resources department.

Armenian Museum Hosting Artist Panel on Free Museum Weekend

The Armenian Museum of America is offering a series of events on September 23-24 including a panel discussion on “The Image as Disruption and Identity.” (Courtesy of Armenian Museum of America)

The following announcement was provided by the Armenian Museum of America:

The Armenian Museum of America will host a series of programs the weekend of Sept. 23-24 highlighted by an artist panel discussing Ara Oshagan’s “Disrupted, Borders” exhibition currently showing in the Museum’s contemporary galleries. 

The event will bring Oshagan together with curator Ryann Casey, art critic Hrag Vartanian, and Professor Christina Maranci, all of whom touch upon contemporary art and politics in their respective work. The panel, titled “The Image as Disruption and Identity,” is free and open to the public, and will take place in the Adele and Haig Der Manuelian Galleries on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 2 p.m., followed by a light reception. The Museum is also offering free admission for all visitors that weekend, along with free guided tours of “Ara Oshagan: Disrupted, Borders” to its members.

Celebrate Grandparents Day at Brigham House, Make a Keepsake

The Brigham House assisted living community is housed in Watertown’s former East Junior High School. The following announcement was provided by Watertown Families Together:

The relationship between a grandparent and child is indeed special. Again this year we will celebrate Grandparent Day on Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. at Brigham House Assisted Living Residence, 341 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown.

LETTER: What the Delta Saw: A (slightly) Irreverent and Rambling History of Watertown Square (Part 7 & 8)

Watertown Baptist Church Members over the age of 50 (Photo courtesy of the Watertown Free Public Library)

Part 7: What We’ve Got Here is a Failure to Communicate! More of the 1800’s

The 1800’s were more than just an industrial revolution in Watertown. Many national and localissues were being played out locally to great drama and effect. For instance, the Temperance Movement was in full bloom. In a few words, women had had enough of family beatings and earnings all going to the local tavern and not to feed their children.

Watertown Square Mural Celebration & Networking Event

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Business Coalition:

Come see Watertown’s newest piece of public art — the mural at Merchants Row (the side of CVS in Watertown Square). Meet the artists, Amir Tabatabaei and Niloufar Keyhani, and then join us at 6 p.m on Bar ‘Cino’s back patio to mingle, chat with the artists and enjoy some appetizers compliments of Watertown Square’s newest restaurant. There will also be a cash bar. Schedule

5:30pm to 6:00pm – Mural Celebration & Meet The Artists @ Merchants Row

6:00pm to 8:00pm – Back Patio @ BAR’CINO

Rain date: Sept. 20 at 5:30 pm

The event is free.

Final Draft of Comprehensive Plan to be Reviewed by City Council & Planning Board

Watertown’s primary planning document, the Comprehensive Plan, is being updated and the final draft will be reviewed and discussed at a joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Board. The City of Watertown sent out the following information:

The Comprehensive Plan is near the finish line! The final draft will be reviewed at a joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Board on Thursday, September 21, 2023. The meeting, including public comment, will start at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers, second floor in City Hall, 149 Main Street. This draft includes changes recommended by the City Council’s Economic Development & Planning Committee. Read/download the draft (PDF).

LETTER: What the Delta Saw: A (slightly) Irreverent and Rambling History of Watertown Square (Part 5 & 6)

Coolidge Tavern (Photo courtesy of Watertown Free Public Library)

By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Part 5: The Roaring 1700’s

By the 1700’s, Watertown was hopping. There were stage coach lines coming through town and a lively lumber business floating up and down the Charles. Besides the mills, there were hotels, stables, blacksmiths, and horse boarding establishments. (Burke)

Situated right in the middle of Watertown Square, Galen Street was proving to be kind of a problem. At this point in time, which was surprising, because Watertown was still mostly a farming community, this square was a lively place, and not always in a good way.

Marshall Home Fund Seeks Applications for Fund Administrator

The Marshall Home Fund sent out the following job description:

Fund Administrator for Watertown Non-profit Foundation

The Marshall Home Fund (MHF) is a private, non-profit charity that provides annual program grants to Watertown organizations that serve older adults, as well as modest individual grants to persons 55 and older experiencing financial need. We support a wide variety of efforts to build and maintain an age-friendly community for older adults. The key functions of the administrator are:

Soliciting, assessing, and supporting grant recipients;

Supporting board members and committee chairs;

✓ Serving as liaison between MHF and grantees;

✓ Performing MHF administrative tasks as needed. Job description:

The Fund is currently seeking a part-time Administrator (we estimate 8 hours per week on average), who will:

Provide administrative and communication support to the Fund’s Board of Directors;

Support program and individual grant application processes and facilitate communication between grant recipients and the Board;

Receive and respond to correspondence;

Maintain files/records, database, and office equipment;

Work closely with the Treasurer, Bookkeeper, and others to ensure timely payment of bills and grants, and track financial transactions;

Generate reports and board minutes in a timely and accurate manner;

Attend Board and committee meetings, either in person or virtually, as needed;

Support MHF committees and help to promote the Fund’s activities within the town, sometimes representing the Fund in the larger community;

Keep the Fund’s website up-to-date;

Gather and compile information from board members and grant recipients to produce a quarterly newsletter on Mailchimp;

​Qualifications:

The successful candidate will:

Be self-directed, comfortable working independently, and able to prioritize tasks;

Possess excellent organizational and interpersonal skills;

Demonstrate a high level of maturity as well as discretion, tact, and diplomacy in communicating with grantees, board members and the wider community, verbally and in writing;

Be proficient in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, as well as Zoom meeting technology;

Be knowledgeable in general office procedures and able to take accurate meeting minutes. At least two years of college, with a minimum of three years experience in administrative, human service, or similar work is desired.