Around Town

Healthy Watertown Grants Available from Community Foundation

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The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) announced the release of the Fall 2022 Healthy Watertown Grants to support organizations that work to create new or existing programs to keep our community healthy. A total of $10,000 will be distributed through these health grants. Past Healthy Grant awardees have included: Local food pantries; nutrition and meal programs for school age children and seniors; programs and services fostering healthy aging; mental health first aid training for first responders; programs designed to combat the opioid crisis and provide services and supports for individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders; and health-related programs for infants and their families. Eligible organizations may apply for a maximum of $2,500. The average amount awarded will range from $500 to $2,500.

Around Town

City’s New Trash & Recycling Rules & Fees Start This Week

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Watertown DPWA curbside composting toter sits next to Watertown trash and recycling toters. The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown recently ratified the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection 2030 Solid Waste Master Plan. This plan establishes the goal of a 30 percent statewide reduction in disposal tonnage between now and 2030. The Watertown Department of Public Works is implementing new programmatic changes that will allow Watertown to achieve the 30 percent reduction in our disposal tonnage based on a 2019 baseline. New programs and policies have been created to increase diversion of materials away from disposal through reduced consumption, reuse of existing items, and expansion of recycling programs. Thank you to all Watertown residents for your support and patience as we transition into these new policy changes.

Election 2022

LETTER: Resident Sees Question 1 as a “Money Grab”

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It seems that politicians never have enough money and work hardest to come up with easy ways to get it. In addition to the taxes we already pay, and the $7 million Watertown has received from the lottery as Unrestricted General Government Aid in fiscal year 2022, there never seems to be enough money. In their latest “how can we get more money” scam, politicians have targeted people with taxable income over $1 million. Apparently, those people aren’t paying their fair share. Be careful when issues are framed in an ‘us vs them’ context.

Cartoon

Small Saves Has a Bad Day in Goal in This Week’s Cartoon

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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.”

Around Town

Lights on the Delta Shining in Honor of Indigenous Peoples Day

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Charlie BreitroseThe new lights on the trees on the Watertown Square Delta can change colors and display patterns. This picture shows what the trees looked like in December 2019. The following announcement was provided by Jennifer Wolfrum on behalf of members of the Pigsgusset Initiative:

As part of Watertown Celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day, the Watertown City Council proclaimed Monday, October 10th as Indigenous Peoples Day. Aligned with this Proclamation, Councilor Nicole Gardner asked the Department of Public Works to make the colors of the lights on the Delta to reflect a central aspect of Indigenous culture. The red, yellow, white and black lights represent the colors of the medicine wheel, which is important to Indigenous People and their spiritual worldview.

Around Town

LETTER: Resident Supporting “Yes” on Question 1 Fair Share Amendment

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I’m writing to encourage my Watertown neighbors to vote Yes on Question 1, the Fair Share Amendment. The Fair Share Amendment will create permanent, urgently needed funding for education and transportation without placing an additional financial burden on middle- and working-class families. Here’s how it works. We currently all pay the same income tax rate. That’s written into the state constitution.

Around Town

Bruins, Celtics Tickets Available from Recreation Department, Including B’s Opening Night

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Recreation Department:

The Watertown Recreation Department has Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics Tickets available for sale for the 2022-2023. 

The first game is tomorrow night for the Boston Bruins home opener. Bruins Games

Saturday, October 15th 7:00pm vs. Arizona $ 100

Saturday, October 22nd 1:00pm vs. Minnesota $ 75

Sunday, November 13th 6:00pm vs. Vancouver $ 65

Monday, December 5th 7:00pm vs.

Around Town

Food Drive Will Collect Items for Watertown’s 2 Food Pantries

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown’s food pantries:

Watertown is served by two food pantries, the Watertown Food Pantry and Watertown Catholic Collaboration Food Pantry, serving approximately 150 families per week. 

On Saturday, October 22 from 12-3 p.m., the pantries will be hosting food drives at 80 Mount Auburn Street and 770 Mount Auburn Street. 

Please help your neighbors by donating needed items including canned fruit, vegetables, tuna, spam, cereal, old fashioned oats, coffee, tea, cooking oil and other shelf stable items. 

For more information on the food drives, sponsored by the Watertown Community Foundation, see the attached flyer and visit www.Watertownfoundation.org.