Around Town

LETTER: Former Councilor Weighs in on Winter Parking Ban

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(The original letter was sent to the City Council)

Dear Councilors:

Does everyone understand that Watertown’s Traffic Rules and Orders (TROs) also assist in managing the number of vehicles in our neighborhoods? TROs are used to allow for safe, fair and equitable use of public ways by all Watertown inhabitants and visitors. Public ways were not intended to be unrestricted, free, public parking lots for the masses. Hence, the two-hour citywide parking restrictions, unless otherwise posted. And, enforcement of the “No All Night Parking” regulation during the winter season.

Around Town

25th Watertown Unity Breakfast to be Held on MLK Day, Start Pushed Back

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UPDATE (Jan. 19, 4 p.m.) Organizers of Watertown’s MLK Unity Breakfast announced that Monday’s event is still on, but the start time is being delayed one hour so people have time to dig out from Sunday’s snowstorm. The breakfast is now at 9:30 a,m. and the program will start at 10 a.m.

The following announcement was provided by the World in Watertown:

World in Watertown is thrilled to invite you to the 25th annual Watertown Unity Breakfast on January 20, 2025 from 8:30-11 a.m.! 

This year will be in-person at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 25 Bigelow Ave., Watertown. A hot breakfast from Wicked Bagel will be served at 8:30 a.m. followed by music, roundtable conversations, student essays, and the presentation of the Unity Award.

Around Town

City Facilities Closed on MLK Jr. Day, Trash Pick Up to be Delayed

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Charlie BreitroseA closeup of the section of the Kingian Nonviolence Mural featuring Martin Luther King. Monday is Martin Luther King Day, and multiple City of Watertown buildings will be closed for the holiday, and trash pickup will be impacted. See the announcement from the City below. Watertown City Hall, Parker Annex, Library, Department of Public Works office and Senior Center are closed on Monday, January 20, 2025, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday. Please be aware that there is a one delay for trash and recycling pickup for the week due to the holiday.

Around Town

Snow Emergency Declared for Sunday’s Winter Storm

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The City of Watertown has declared a snow emergency for the snow storm forecast to drop five inches or more on the area. See details in the announcement sent out by City officials. The City of Watertown has declared a Snow Emergency starting at 4:00 PM on Sunday, January 19, 2025, due to expected snowfall. The Snow Emergency will remain in effect until further notice. On-street parking is banned, and vehicles left on the street are subject to be towed.

Sports

Watertown Field Hockey Coach Named National Coach of the Year

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Watertown Field Hockey Coach Eileen Donahue has been named national coach of the year. Here she speaks to the Raiders during a 2024 State Tournament game. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The Watertown Public Schools provided the following piece:

Watertown High School field hockey coach Eileen Donahue has been named the field hockey Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations, adding another award to her Hall of Fame career. Donahue, who was honored as the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Coach of the Year for field hockey in December, has molded the Watertown Raiders field hockey program into one of the most decorated high school athletics programs in the United States. Her 22 state championships are the most in Massachusetts field hockey history.

Entertainment

Cartoon: Follow the Latest Adventures of Small Saves

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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.”

Schools

Roadway Near High School to be Closed Temporarily for Construction

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The following announcement was provided by Vertex, the City’s project management firm for the Watertown High School project:

Please be aware starting Tuesday 1/21/25 through Friday 1/24/25 (weather-depending), one lane of Columbia Street will be closed between Common and Robbins to allow repair work to previously installed electrical conduits at the pole on the opposite side of the street from the new school. 

This temporary closure will occur daily from 7AM – 5PM, and then re-open.  Access to and from all residents’ homes will be maintained throughout this closure period. We ask that residents please not park along Columbia between Common and Robbins for these few days to allow working room and equipment. There will be a police detail to assist with traffic as needed. Please see the graphic (above) to better illustrate the area being affected. 

Additionally, the project construction site will be open on Monday 1/20/25 – the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.  The team will abide by the City ordinance will not start construction until 8am. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Laurie Soave, On Site Contact Telephone: 781.565.8688 Email: Lsoave@vertexeng.com

Government

LETTER: The Origins of the Latest Assault on the Watertown Winter Parking Ban

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

This will be a short one. About 10 months ago, this appeared on Reddit:

Watertown Winter Parking Ban update

TLDR: Watertown Councilor Tony Palomba is working to petition and amend the winter parking ban. Email him at councilorpalomba@gmail.com to sign the petition, share your feedback, and learn more. “Hi Folks, I am sending this email to those of you who have contacted me regarding the Winter Parking Ban (Ban) at some point in the last year and a half. My apologies of the long delay in coming up with a way to get this important issue in front of the City Council for a public hearing and vote.