Around Town

Learn How to Build a Birdhouse, an Intro to 3-D Design and More This Month at Hatch

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The following information announcement came from Hatch Makerspace:

This month at Hatch Makerspace by the WFPL

Custom Leather Keychains with Yi BinMonday, April 5, 6 pmIt’s time for spring cleaning and organization! Learn how to use Inkscape to design your own custom leather keychain to keep your keys in order. Send in your design after the workshop and pick it up in leather using Hatch curbside pickup.Build a Birdhouse with LizTuesday, April 13, 5 pmBuild a backyard home for our feathery friends. This is a fun introductory woodworking project for all ages. In addition to building a basic birdhouse, we will look at birdhouse customization and discuss how to make your birdhouse unique.

Charter Review

Watertown Charter Review Update: Important Upcoming Meeting, Info on Process

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Watertown’s Town Hall. The following information was provided by Watertown Forward:

Important Upcoming Events and Opportunities to Weigh In

The next Charter Review Committee meeting on April 6 is particularly important. This will be a special Public Forum at which CRC members will hear the arguments and opinions of Watertown residents on what overall government structure they want — a Council/Manager (present form) or a Mayor/Council form of government. The CRC is expected to vote on the question — after any members of the public who want to offer their views have a few minutes to speak. Watertown Forward is hosting a virtual meeting in advance of the CRC meeting, where people can learn about the two options.

Around Town

Senior Events: New Exercise Class, Art with Dawn and Coffee & Conversation

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Watertown Senior Center

The following information was provided by the Watertown Senior Center:

Greetings! All Watertown Senior Center Programs via Zoom. Call (617) 972-6490 for details.Programs for Week of March 29, 2021

Join us via Zoom for the following programs. Call for access info: (617) 972-6490.New participants always welcome in every program! We hope you’ll join us! Monday:   10:00 AM, Art Class with Dawn Scaltreto12:30 PM, Chair Yoga with Diane

Tuesday:     12:30 PM, Tai Chi & Meditation with Marie2:00 PM, Line Dancing with Bradley

Wednesday:10:00 AM, New!

Government

OP-ED: The Truth About the Proposed Noise Ordinance

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The Truth about the Noise Ordinance

I read Councilor Woodland’s Op-Ed of March 18th on the proposed Noise Ordinance with dismay. It was filled with misleading claims and fear mongering tactics. I feel it is necessary to clear up some misconceptions. 

In order to make his points Councilor Woodland left out key elements of the ordinance which alter the meaning of several quotes that he chose to share. For instance, he asserts that the “proposed ordinance caps permissible noise from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in residential areas (more than 10 minutes long) between 55-60 dbA (depending on duration)” and since conversation is 60 dbA it would outlaw talking. However he neglects to mention that the dbA at the source is not relevant.

Entertainment

This Week’s Small Saves Cartoon: Some Advice from an Expert

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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

$125K in Grants Available from Watertown Community Foundation for Education, Community Organizations

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The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) announces two Spring 2021 grant programs to support local nonprofits, community-based organizations, programs, and projects. Approximately $125,000 will be distributed, nearly double 2020’s distribution. WCF’s Program Grants will support organizations that serve Watertown to develop new or continue existing programs with an educational focus (broadly defined) and do not involve Watertown’s public schools. Eligible organizations may apply for grants of $500 up to $5,000. WCF’s Institutional Support Grants are designed to help institutions central to the Watertown community by providing funds to maintain critical programming, staff, and cover operating costs. Grants under this program impose neither restrictions on the use of funds nor any program requirements. Eligible organizations may apply for grants of up to $7,500.

Schools

Watertown Schools Select New Director of Equity & Inclusion

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Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston announced the selection of the district’s first Director of Equity & Inclusion. The School Committee approved the creation of the position in December following racial bullying incidents that took place at Watertown Middle School in the fall, which led to a highly attended meeting of parents calling for action. Galdston included the following statement in her Superintendent Newsletter:

Introducing Our New Director of Equity & Inclusion

It gives me great pleasure to announce that Dr. Kimberlee Henry was selected as our new Director of Equity & Inclusion for the 2021-2022 school year and beyond. Dr. Henry is a strategic and creative leader who is dedicated to advancing the District’s equity work in this leadership role to help Watertown Public schools become an anti-racist and anti-biased school system. Dr. Henry’s background in public schools as a teacher and principal at both the elementary and secondary levels, and present role as the Principal at the STEM Academy in Lowell, MA have provided her with extensive experiences to take forward in her new role.

Government

Town’s Website Adds Options to Assist Users With Visual, Auditory Challenges

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The Town of Watertown’s website has added an accessibility feature for people with visual, auditory and other sensory disabilities. They can be accessed by clicking on the button circled in yellow. The following information was provided by the Town of Watertown:

Watertown has launched a website enhancement that leverages the most advanced digital accessibility remediation technology to ensure equitable access to local information, news, and resources for all citizens. The new, integrated accessibility enhancements enable the website’s content to be consumable by individuals with visual, auditory, and other sensory disabilities both with and without assistive technology devices. The website’s accessibility technology is made possible through the Town’s use of CivicPlus’ CivicEngage website design and hosting solution and AudioEye Inc., CivicPlus’ exclusive accessibility remediation solution provider.