Elections

LETTER: Chair of Progressive Watertown Endorses State Rep. Candidate

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I ask you to vote for Democratic State Committee member Steve Owens in the Middlesex 29th District State Representative race. I have known Steve since 2012 and have come to know his wife Pia and their two sons over the years. They are dedicated parents raising their boys to become curious, confident, standup adults and citizens. Even among all of this chaos, they remain steadfast. As a representative, Steve will be exceptional for several reasons.

Around Town

Watertown Senior News: Medical Open Enrollment, Pilates, Health Care Proxies & More

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Watertown Senior Center

The following information was provided by the Watertown Senior Center/Council on Aging:

September 2020 Watertown Senior News

THE SENIOR CENTER IS CLOSED FOR ALL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, but staff is available to answer calls and e-mails. CALL (617) 972-6490 for updates, or e-mail SeniorCenter@watertown-ma.gov.

The September 2020 edition of the Watertown Senior News is now available. To keep our senior community safe, the Senior Center remains closed to visitors for all programs, exercise classes, social activities and shuttle bus services until further notice as we adhere to recommendations for a safe re-opening. However, our calendar for this month has many new offerings via Zoom. We will be hosting a special presentation with Honoring Choices Massachusetts about the importance of completing your Health Care Proxy, and we will explore the lives of Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman by reviewing their connections to each other in film. We will also be talking about falls prevention with Mount Auburn Hospital later in the month.

Business

Developer Changes Plans for Redevelopment of Sterritt Lumber Site

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The developers of the former Sterritt Lumber site announced that they have changed the proposed project for the site on Waltham Street. The company sent out the following announcement:

Long-time Boston area, real estate developer Nordblom Company, has withdrawn its comprehensive permit for residential and instead plans to build a new commercial/light-industrial building at 148 Waltham Street. Nordblom purchased the land – the former home of F. D. Sterritt Lumber Company in 2019 and initially proposed a residential building. After the Town said apartments would not be welcomed at this location, Nordblom began investigating the next best use for the site. The proposed 1-2 story commercial building would be much smaller than the initial residential building.

Around Town

At the Library: Virtual Book Talk, Marvel Trivia & 3D Modeling

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The Watertown Free Public Library. The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

This Wednesday evening, join WFPL for a virtual book talk with Mathew Van Meter, author of Deep Delta Justice: A Black Teen, His Lawyer, and Their Groundbreaking Battle for Civil Rights in the South. Later this week, test your Marvel Cinematic Universe smarts with Superfan Saturday Trivia. Interested in 3D modeling and printing? Hatch is offering an introduction to the Onshape modeling environment on Friday! A full list of virtual programs for this week is included below.

Business

Watertown Savings Reopening Branches with Social Distancing Requirements

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown Savings Bank:

Dear Customers,

On behalf of the entire team at Watertown Savings Bank, we would like to take a moment to say thank you again for your understanding and support over the last several months. Now that all Watertown Savings Bank locations have reopened, we look forward to continuing to help with any of your banking needs in a safe, comfortable, and convenient way! Ways to Bank With WSB

WSB Branch Lobbies

All WSB branch lobbies are open for branch teller services. Please schedule an appointment with Customer Support for more involved banking services such as new account openings. With our customers’ and employees’ health in mind, we are following the mandatory safety standards:

Requiring everyone to wear a face covering.

Around Town

Notice of Community Outreach Meeting — Sira Naturals

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(PAID LEGAL NOTICE)

Notice is hereby given that Eskar LLC (d/b/a Sira Naturals, Inc.) will hold a virtual Community Outreach Meeting on Thursday, September 10, 2020. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM and will include discussion about the proposed siting of a co-located Medical Marijuana Treatment Centerand Adult Use Marijuana Retail Establishment at 48 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472 in accordance with M.G.L. ch. 94G and the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission’s regulations at 935 CMR 500.000 and 935 CMR 501.000 et seq. Topics to be discussed at the meeting will include, but not be limited to:

The type(s) of Medical Marijuana Treatment Center and Adult-Use Marijuana Establishment(s) to be located at the proposed address;Plans for maintaining a secure facility;Plans to prevent diversion to minors;Plans to positively impact the community;Plans to ensure the establishment will not constitute a nuisance to the community; andPlans to compassionately care for medical patients, including sliding fee scales for patients with verified financial hardship. This virtual meeting will be held via Zoom.

Transportation

Lane on Mass Pike Closing for 6 Months Due to Overpass Project

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The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that beginning late tonight the left travel lane of I-90 eastbound and westbound will be closed in the area of the Massachusetts Avenue overpass due to the establishment of a work zone for an air rights project at 1001 Boylston Street. As outlined at recent public meetings, the left travel lanes for a distance of approximately one mile will be closed 24/7 for a period of approximately six months. After six months, the left travel lanes will reopen and the right travel lanes in each direction will be closed. The air rights project work zone requires one lane in each direction to be closed during peak travel times. Meanwhile, there will be temporary off-peak hour lane restrictions beginning in July 2021 and lasting approximately six months. In addition, in 2021 there will be several weekend diversions on the MBTA Worcester Commuter Rail Line, anticipated to occur over four weekends during the summer months. Samuels & Associates is building the Parcel 12 Air Rights project at 1001 Boylston Street and transportation impacts associated with the project are being managed by Howard Stein Hudson, with consultation from MassDOT. More information and updates can be found at the developer’s project website:  www.buildp12.com.

Entertainment

Small Saves Tries to Impress a Girl in This Week’s Cartoon

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Cartoon by James Demarco

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.”