Around Town

Eversource to Prune Trees Near Power Lines in Watertown in January

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Department of Public Works:

Eversource, and it’s subcontractor Tree Tech, is working citywide on tree pruning around power lines throughout January. This work is necessary to maintain safe operations of the power grid and reduce future outages. Eversource expects to have 2 tree crews in town initially, then eventually increase that number to 5 crews total over the course of January. Trees are often a great addition to the landscape of any community. However, trees are the leading causes of power outages in our service territory as they are for many utilities across the country.

Minuteman High School

Finalists for Minuteman High School Superintendent Visiting Campus in January

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Minuteman High School vocational technical school in Lexington. The following announcement was provided by Minuteman High School:

Dear Minuteman Staff and Families, 

As many of you know, our current Superintendent-Director, Ed Bouquillon, plans to retire at the end of June following a successful 15-year tenure leading the District. The Minuteman School Committee launched a formal Superintendent Search Process in October. 

A Screening Committee of faculty, staff, parents, and School Committee members has recommended three finalists to the Minuteman School Committee. The finalists are scheduled to visit Minuteman on three consecutive Wednesdays – January 5, 12, and 19 – to meet with and answer questions from students, parents, faculty and staff, and advisory committee members. 

The three finalists are Dr. Amy Perreault, Assistant Superintendent for Minuteman; Dr. Kathleen Dawson, Deputy Superintendent of Orange County Schools in North Carolina; and Kevin McCaskill, Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Secondary Schools in the Boston Public Schools. The finalists were first announced at the December 14 School Committee meeting. Read the candidate’s resumes at minuteman.org/suptsearch Each of the three candidates will spend the day at Minuteman on three Wednesdays in January. During their time at Minuteman, the candidates will meet with stakeholders for questions and take tours.

Around Town

Watertown Group Holding Candlelight Vigil to Reflect on the Jan. 6 Capitol Attack

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The following piece was submitted by the Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment:

Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment (WCPJE) is joining social justice groups across the state and the country in a candlelight vigil to remember and reflect upon the violent, deadly attacks that took place in our nation’s capital on January 6, 2021. While evidence mounts that the insurrection was aided by some of our elected leaders, lies about the well-verified 2020 election continue to spread, with increasing threats against public officials. The vigil will take place in Watertown Square by the Delta from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Participants are asked to wear masks, practice social distancing and use cell phone flashlights or electric candles, not actual flames. In order to preserve our democracy, WCPJE also asks voters to contact their Senators and Representatives to demand they pass urgent legislation to counter attacks on our voting rights: The Freedom to Vote Act, the Protecting Our Democracy Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and Washington D.C. Admission Act (statehood for 700,000 Americans who have NO voting representation in Congress). Please join us on Thursday at 5:30 in Watertown Square to show we will not tolerate the sabotaging of our elections and our democracy.

Government

Public Invited to Community Forum on Hiring New City Manager, Will be In-Person and Virtual

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The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown is pleased to announce a community forum will be held on January 12th to offer Watertown residents the opportunity to share their thoughts regarding the skills and experience the next City Manager should possess. The forum will be held on Wednesday, January 12th, at 6 p.m. in the Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber at the Administration Building, 149 Main Street. This will be a hybrid event, supporting both in-person and remote participation. “We are very interested in hearing recommendations regarding the skills and experience Watertown residents would like to see in their next City Manager,” said Mark Sideris, Council President. “It is critical that residents are an integral part of the City Manager selection process.”The City has hired the consulting firm Community Paradigm Associates to assist in the search process.

Entertainment

COMICS: See What Small Saves and Trouble Are Up to This Week

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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.”

DeMarco recently added “Here’s Trouble” to his cartooning lineup, inspired by drawings he did in the 1980s when he was in high school.

Charity

LETTER: Wayside Thanks Generous Donors During the Holiday Season

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Social Service Resource Specialists/Wayside staff preparing holiday gifts and gift cards for families to pick-up. The holiday season is upon us and it’s the most wonderful time of the year for many. Yet for some, it can be challenging to afford gifts for their loved ones. Each year, Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s Multi-Service Center works with local churches and businesses, to provide holiday gifts for families. Once again this year, families served through Watertown’s Social Services Resource Specialist Program were recipients of these generous donations.