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.

Around Town

Library Hosting Ask the Doc Forum on COVID, Series of Mental Health Workshops

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The Watertown Free Public Library will host a virtual town hall where residents can ask doctors their questions about COVID-19 on Wednesday, and Thursday, the library hosts the first of a series of online mental health workshops. The library sent out the following announcements:

Library to Host Free COVID-19 Forum With Top Doctors

With so much conflicting talk of vaccines and variants, navigating the COVID-19 pandemic can feel just as confusing today as it did one year ago. In an effort to provide reliable information to their communities, the Watertown Free Public Library and the Providence Public Library are teaming up to offer a “COVID-19 Town Hall” on Wednesday, March 24. During this free, virtual forum, Dr. Robin Schoenthaler of Massachusetts General Hospital and Dr. Philip A. Chan of Brown University will answer your submitted questions about the virus, vaccines, and public health. Spanish translation will be available.

Schools

Minuteman Student from Watertown Wins Medal at SkillsUSA Competition

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A Watertown student was one of more than a dozen from Minuteman High School who won medals at a recent SkillsUSA Massachusetts competition. The school sent out the following announcement:

Minuteman High School students recently competed against 13 other high schools and were awarded 18 medals in the SkillsUSA Massachusetts District 3 Competition for demonstrating knowledge in their career technical area of study, employability skills and safety. Minuteman brought home six gold medals, seven silver, and five bronze. Twelve students of the 18 students will advance to the SkillsUSA MA States competition to be held in late April at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School. The winners are listed below, those with asterisks will continue onto the state level competitions:

Competition: Advertising Design

GOLD: Ariana Calder, Design and Visual Communications career major, grade 12, Lancaster*

Competition: Auto Service Technology

BRONZE: Ryan Breen-Aronson, Automotive Technology career major, grade 10, Arlington

Competition: Cabinetmaking

GOLD: Olivia O’Neill, Carpentry career major, grade 10, Lexington*SILVER: Annie Brosnan, Carpentry career major, grade 10, Arlington*

BRONZE: Caleb Begley, Carpentry career major, grade 10, Arlington

Competition: CNC Milling

GOLD: Ellie Vail, Advanced Manufacturing career major, grade 12, Arlington*

SILVER: Jonathan Corbett, Advanced Manufacturing career major, grade 12, Watertown

Competition: CNC Turning

GOLD: Henry Price, Advanced Manufacturing career major, grade 12, Brookline*

BRONZE: Bradley Winters, Advanced Manufacturing career major, grade 11, Lexington

Competition: Commercial Baking

SILVER: Alex Findeis, Culinary Arts career major, grade 10, Belmont*

Competition: Culinary Arts

SILVER: Josh Formaggio, Culinary Arts career major, grade 10, Acton*

Competition: Early Education

BRONZE: Maria DaSilva, Early Education and Teaching career major, grade 11, Arlington

Competition: First Aid

SILVER: Sophia Magdeleno, Health Assisting career major, grade 10, Stow*

Competition: Plumbing

SILVER: Harrison Hathaway, Plumbing and Heating career major, grade 11, Newton*

BRONZE: Marc-Andre Noel, Plumbing and Heating career major, grade 10, Medford

Competition: Robotics and Automation

GOLD: Gabriel Herbertz, Robotics and Automation career major, grade 12, Stow*

GOLD: Peter Loschen, Robotics and Automation career major, grade 12, Winchester*

Competition: Welding

SILVER: Nathan Doherty, Metal Fabrication and Welding career major, grade 12, Lancaster*

Minuteman’s Faculty Advisors for the SkillsUSA Club are Denise D’Ambrosia, teaching assistant, and Clifford Keirstead, carpentry teacher.

Around Town

Watertown Winter Overnight Parking Ban Ending Early

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Watertown’s winter overnight parking ban will be ending early, announced Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn. The parking ban usually runs through the end of March, but in 2021 it will end on March 22. The Town of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

Police Chief Michael Lawn would like to inform you that Watertown will lift enforcement of the all night parking ban effective Monday March 22, 2021 at 12:00 pm.  

The Department of Public Works, Police Department and Fire Department would like to remind motorists that keeping the streets clear allows for road repairs, street cleaning and easy access for public safety vehicles. To that end, all Departments encourage residents to make full use of off-street parking when it is available.