Letters

LETTER: Resident Wants Tree to be Saved, Provides Cooling in Summer

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To whom it may concern:

I’m writing to add my voice in support of preservation of the public shade tree at 142 Forest Street, which by Mass. State law is receiving a public hearing today.  

I’ve heard from multiple concerned Watertown residents about the risk to this tree. All reports indicate that this is a vigorous, healthy pin oak which is providing significant benefits to the neighborhood and if preserved and protected should have decades of healthy service ahead.  

In sweltering hot weather, large-canopy urban trees like this oak play a critical role in cooling city neighborhoods.

Around Town

Watertown Library Reopens, Virtual Programing Still Available

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The Watertown Free Public Library partially reopened on July 27. The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

The Watertown Free Public Library reopens this week for browsing only. This means you will be able to check out materials and purchase used books in the café. Our librarians will be able to direct you to what you’re looking for. Curbside pickup service will continue.

Around Town

Watertown Scouts Hold Crossing Over Ceremony

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Daniel Duarte crosses the bridge from Cub Scouts, leading his mother Evelyn Pedroza and
brother Jeremiah Rios over to the Cub Scouts. The following piece was submitted by Watertown Troop 30:

Watertown’s Troop 30 held a socially-distant crossing over ceremony last week as two new Boy Scouts were promoted into its ranks. Daniel Duarte and Lucas Pelegrin are now officially Boy Scouts. 

Normally held at a campsite and with hot chocolate and cookies, the current Coronavirus crisis prompted some changes this year. Duarte, Pelegrin and Cub Scout Pack 30 met up along the Charles River and met up with Troop 30 in an open field — everyone masked for safety. There,Troop 30 built a bridge for Webelos Scouts to cross over, with each plank of the bridge spelling out the words of the Scout Law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Building for the Future

See How to Join the Community Forum on Watertown High School Project on July 29

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A rendering of what a new high school could look like if it’s built on the current site and the Phillips School site. In this option, a bridge would link the buildings on the third floor. The following information was provided by the Watertown Public Schools:

The Watertown School Building Committee (SBC) invites you to its 4th community forum to discuss the High School Building Project. This is an opportunity for community members to learn more about the shortlist of options that have been advanced for further study leading up to a final decision in November of 2020. We will also be discussing upcoming opportunities for the community to stay informed and participate in the process.

Around Town

Portion of Filippello Park Closing for Construction

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Filippello Park. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Recreation Department:

The Filippello (Arlington) section of Filippello Park will be closed to the public and all users beginning Monday, July 27 at 6:00am and ending Friday, July 31 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. The Park Adventure Program offered by the Recreation Department will be moved to Arsenal Park and the Raiders FC clinic will move to the Victory (Oval) for the week.

Entertainment

Watertown Summer Concert Series is Back, Starts This Week

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The Blues Dogs will be the first band to play in the Watertown Summer Concert Series on July 29. The following announcement was part of the Town Manager’s COVID-19 Update. (See the whole update by clicking here) Attendees should follow the latest social distancing and face covering requirements:

Great news! Concerts are still happening! This year marks twenty-one years that the Saltonstall Park Concert Series has provided free music and entertainment in Watertown’s historic Saltonstall Park.

Cartoon

Locker Room Chat in This Week’s Small Saves 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.”

Government

OP-ED: Is It Time to Hit the Brakes on Reopening in Mass.?

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

The following piece was written by State Sen. Will Brownsberger, who represents Watertown, Belmont and parts of Boston:

In order to safely reopen our schools, we may need to hit the brakes on our phased reopening of the economy in Massachusetts. The latest numbers are telling us that we may need to reclose some businesses or find other ways to reduce infection. As we manage the reopening of the economy, we need to think more clearly about the trade-offs we are making and the consequences we are willing to accept. The decision to open optional services like casinos, movie theaters, and health clubs may make it impossible for us to safely reopen our schools. There is some guesswork in estimating how each specific business closure or infection control measure will affect the average rate at which people with COVID-19 transmit it to others.