Around Town

Chamber’s Love Local Effort Supports Restaurants & Residents in Need

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The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Regional Chamber:

The Charles River Regional Chamber is launching a month-long campaign in February designed to support the restaurant community in Newton, Needham, Watertown and Wellesley, while also helping those in need. The Love Local: Supporting Our Restaurants & Our Community campaign is designed to encourage dining locally at a time when restaurants continue to struggle in a challenging economy. In addition, about 30 area chamber member restaurants are organizing a clothing drive to give back while visiting their favorite restaurants. “While Valentine’s Day may be a traditional day to dine out – the Love Local campaign runs all month long with multiple ways to support our restaurants and the community during this short, cold month when all could use a little bit of a boost,” said Chamber President Greg Reibman. Donation boxes at participating restaurant locations spread throughout all four communities will be accepting NEW sweatshirts, sweatpants, t-shirts and other items to help in the cold winter months.

Around Town

Watertown Seeks to Fill Opening on Planning Board

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The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking residents to serve on the Planning Board. The Planning Board makes recommendations on all special permits, variances, site plan reviews, and Zoning Ordinances-Map amendments. Conducts other land-use planning studies as needed. Candidates should have background in architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, land-use planning, construction, or any related fields. Board meets 2nd Wednesday of each month.

Around Town

Watertown Recreation Accepting Applications for Part-Time & Seasonal Positions

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Recreation Department:

The Watertown Recreation Department is now accepting applications for the following positions for the 2023 calendar year. This includes immediate employment as a part time member of the staff throughout the year or seasonal work during different seasons of the year. Applicants must be entering the 9th grade (Fall 2023) or older to be considered. Positions Available: Program Directors, Program Supervisors, Program Staff, Program Counselors, Counselor in Training, Nurse, Specialists, Pequossette Staff, Park Instructors, Park Rangers, Tennis Supervisor, Coaches and Scorekeepers. If you are looking for employment to begin before the summer season, please complete your application and an interview will be scheduled with the Director of Recreation as soon as your application is completed.

Schools

Two BC High Students from Watertown Inducted into National Honor Society

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Boston College High School’s National Honor Society members. The following announcement was provided by Boston College High School:

The following students have been inducted into the Robert J. Fulton, SJ Chapter of the National Honor Society at Boston College High School:

James O’Connor (Class of 2023)

Isaac Compolongo (Class of 2024)

The National Honor Society (NHS) was created by the National Association of Secondary School Principals to recognize high school students who have distinguished themselves in their school and community. Each year eligible juniors and seniors are invited to apply for membership in NHS. Applications are reviewed by a committee of BC High teachers to confirm that each student has attained a high standard of each of these characteristics: scholarship, character, leadership, and service. At BC High, NHS members are committed to service in the school and in the broader community.

Government

City Councilor John Airaisan Hosting Annual Public Meeting

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Councilor At-Large John Airasian. As part of the changes to the Watertown Charter all City Councilors must have an annual meeting to meet with the public. City Councilor At-Large John Airasian announced dates for his constituent meeting. See info below. Join City Councilor John Airasian at his Individual Annual City Councilor Meeting on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in the Watertown Police Station Community/Training room, 552 Main St., Watertown.

Government

State Rep. Owens Seeks Applicants for Legislative Intern

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The following information was provided by State Rep. Owen’s Office:

Rep. Owens serves the 29th Middlesex District, which consists of Watertown and North/West Cambridge. It includes some of the country’s most significant cultural landmarks: Historic Brattle Street, the Perkins School for the Blind, Mount Auburn Cemetery, Fresh Pond Reservation, the Watertown Arsenal. It’s also a source of technological innovation, a center for education, and home to some of the most engaged and accomplished residents of the Commonwealth. Prior to his election to the legislature in 2020, Rep. Owens spent 20 years as a transportation consultant, where he developed freight and logistics data solutions for public and private sector clients. He has applied this expertise both to his work on the Watertown Transportation Task Force and now in the House, where he seeks solutions to improve access to public transportation while helping reduce the state’s carbon footprint.

Government

Residents Discussed How Watertown Should Spend ARPA Money

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The following announcement came from Watertown Forward:

Watertown residents came together on January 22, 2023 for a Watertown Forward City Chat to learn more about how the city could spend the one-time $10.5M allotment in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. (ARPA). Jared Knowles, founder of Civilytics Consulting a data science consulting firm here in Watertown, and frequent resource to communities around Massachusetts and the country for the allocation and use of ARPA funds, provided an overview of the funding guidelines and insight into what other communities have done with their funds. Knowles commented that communities have used this funding in a wide-range of applications, for instance, to address affordable housing and houselessness by constructing new housing or providing rental assistance, to give childcare workers bonuses for their efforts as essential workers, and to invest in the public water infrastructure by installing public water fountains or water bottle filling stations. According to federal guidelines, there are three categories of funding that Watertown can consider: respond to the public health emergency of the pandemic and its impact, make investments in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, and provide premium pay for essential workers.

Entertainment

Two Watertown Artists Instrumental in Bringing Teen Exhibit to ICA Boston

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Watertown’s Shivani Sharma, left, and Ruth Henry, center, speak withy Liz Rodgers at the opening reception for “The Stories that Make Us.” The following information was provided by Sue-Ellen Hershman-Tcherepnin:

Friday evening Jan. 27 saw the opening of The Stories that Make Us, an exhibition of artwork by high school students that explores personal stories about migration, belonging, and overcoming adversity. Key organizers of the event were 2022 Watertown High School grad Shivani Sharma and former-Watertown Middle School teacher Ruth Henry. They represented of the I Learn America Initiative (www.ilearnamerica.com).