Around Town

Closure of Part of Watertown Park Extended by a Week

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Filippello Park. Watertown Recreation Director Peter Centola announced that part of Filippello Park will be closed for another week for construction. Centola sent out the following announcement:

The Filippello (Arlington) section of Filippello Park closure has been extended and will not be open to the public and all users until Friday, August 7 at 6:00pm due to the installation of pole foundations for the new lighting system. This includes the field, walking track, tot lot / playground and table and grill areas within the Filippello (Arlington) section of the park. This does not include the Filippello (Grove) entryway, dog park, courts, parking lot, Filippello (Grove) field, tot lot, table and grill area, bathroom and spray park.

Elections

LETTER: State Rep. Lawn Thanked for Role in Passing Election Law

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State Rep. John Lawn of Watertown, who represents the 10th Middlesex District. To the Editor,

Massachusetts voters will have many new ways of casting a ballot this fall thanks to an emergency bill passed by the legislature and signed into law a few short weeks ago. The law will help ensure that no Bay Stater has to choose between their right to vote and their health by sending mail ballot applications to all registered voters, providing a safer in-person voting experience by providing PPE and additional early voting options, and streamlining administrative procedures for local elections officials. There are many other changes as well as these toplines, all designed to modernize ourelection system and make it safer and more participatory. It is an outstanding example of moving forward for the benefit of all Bay Staters, and one of the strongest election reforms in the country.

Entertainment

Small Saves Faces a Wicked Slap Shot 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.”

Around Town

Watertown Girl Greeted by Parade of Trucks for Her 2nd Birthday

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Two-year-old Emmeline looks in awe at the five Republic Services trucks that turned up for her birthday. This week, a young Watertown girl got a special visit from Republic Services, the town’s trash and recycling contractor, to celebrate her second birthday. Emmeline’s mother Ashley Dixon wrote this letter in appreciation of the celebration:

Dear Ms. Osmond and Mr. Leavery,

I am writing with a sincere thank you to Shane, his Republic Services crew, and the Town of Watertown. Crews from Republic Services delivered gifts to Emmeline for her second birthday. Whenever my daughter hears one of their trucks, she drops everything to go and watch in amazement.

Around Town

Mosquito in Watertown Tests Positive for West Nile Virus

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Watertown, Massachusetts. In 2019, 8,295 mosquito samples were tested forWNV and 87 samples were positive. Watertown had no WNV positive mosquito samples identified in 2019. WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state and are found in urban as well as more rural areas.

Around Town

Watertown Marine Killed in Vietnam 52 Years Ago Today

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Paul Gorman, a Watertown Marine killed in Vietnam, had a memorial dedicated in his name on Main Street at Emerson Road. The following piece was provided by Jim Prendergast, a friend of Paul Gorman:

Today, July 30th, we remember Marine PFC Paul Gorman, who gave his life for his Country fifty-two years ago. Paul grew up on Emerson Road, attended St. Patrick’s grammar school and graduated from Watertown High in the Class of 1966. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in September 1967 along with 10 other Watertown young men.

Business

Arsenal Yards Collects Hundreds of Items for Watertown Food Pantry

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Some of the 750 items collected during the Arsenal Yards Neighborhood Pickup. They will go to the Watertown Food Pantry. The following announcement was provided by Arsenal Yards:

Last week, Arsenal Yards held a Neighborhood Pickup event, during which they invited members of the local community to drop off a donation to the Watertown Food Pantry in exchange for a tie dye swag bag full of perks from Arsenal Yards retailers, along with crafts and surprises from Arsenal Yards. There was an overwhelmingly great response for the food donations, with more than 750 items being donated, along with some cash donations. The team from Arsenal Yards delivered the donations to the Watertown Food Pantry on Tuesday, July 28 (photos attached), and would like to send a huge thank you to the local community and to all who came and donated for their generosity.

29th Middlesex

Healthcare Union Endorses Candidate for Watertown State Rep.

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Democratic activist and Democratic State Committee member Steve Owens is running for the State Representative seat that Jon Hecht will be leaving. The following announcement was provided by the Steve Owens for State Representative campaign:

Candidate for State Representative of the 29th Middlesex District Steve Owens has been endorsed by both 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and SEIU Local 509. Primary Day is September 1st. “I am honored to be endorsed by 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. Their advocacy on behalf of healthcare workers is a mission that I will carry with me to the State House.