Election 2019

Town Council At-Large Profile: Caroline Bays

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Background

I have been a town councilor for almost two years now. As a trained mediator, I have found my skills useful in facilitating conversations and exploring the underlying concerns and ideas behind statements made at meetings. In addition, as a longtime resident my understanding of Watertown and our community has been invaluable in guiding my decisions and votes on issues. I have learned a lot serving Watertown and I hope to continue to do so! Website: www.carolinebays.com

Candidate Statement

We have a lot of important decisions to make in the coming years.

Election 2019

Town Council At-Large Profile: John Gannon

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Background

I’ve been a municipal attorney for 25 years, advising over 100 cities and towns of Massachusetts every day on the issues that are currently facing Watertown. I’ve been a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals in Watertown for 10 years, I’ve been former Acting Town Attorney, working as Watertown’s lawyer. But I think more importantly, I’m a native of Watertown, a product of the Browne School, West Junior High, and Watertown High School; my upbringing in Watertown is an important part of who I am. I went on to Brown University and then to Suffolk University Law School, where I became lawyer to bring innovative approaches to cities and towns.  After starting a family here, I became a homeowner, taxpayer and ratepayer. Like others who chose to come to Watertown, I chose to stay here.  Watertown is a wonderful place in so many ways, and I’m here to help give back some of what this community has given to me.

Around Town

Applications Available for 2019 Watertown Healthy Grants

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The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) announces the release of the Fall 2019 Healthy Watertown Grants to support organizations that work to create new or existing programs to keep our community healthy. A total of $10,000 will be distributed through these health grants. Past Healthy Grant awardees have included: Local food pantries; nutrition and meal programs for school age children and seniors; programs and services fostering healthy aging; mental health first aid training for first responders; programs designed to combat the opioid crisis and provide services and supports for individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders; and health-related programs for infants and their families. Eligible organizations may apply for a maximum of $2500. The average amount awarded will range from $500 to $2500.

Around Town

Watertown Mall Hosting Two Day Job Fair

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Job seekers can head to the Watertown Mall for a job fair on Nov. 7 and 8. See the announcement below:

Come to see the full time, part time, and seasonal work opportunities that the mall can provide. Some of the participating stores are Target, Best Buy and Chase. The Watertown Mall has abundant parking spaces for those driving here, and is also accessible by MBTA Bus routes 70 and 70A.

Environment

Find Out About Composting at Forum at Watertown Library

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On Sunday, November 3, 2019, a free public forum on the how and why of composting will be held at the Watertown Public Library from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Almost half of the “trash” thrown away in the U.S. could be composted instead of taken to landfills, and almost half of that is food. It is estimated that American families produce an average of 20 pounds of food waste per month. If not composted, all of this waste has to be transported from individual homes to landfills, a process that requires a large amount of fossil fuel; once the food waste reaches the landfill, it is sealed in airtight enclosures that emit greenhouse gases. Every pound of food thrown away results in 3.8 pound of greenhouse gas emissions. Composting is one way for ordinary people to reduce the consumption of fossil fuel and the production of greenhouse gases.

Around Town

Watertown Mall Hosting Flu Clinic, Blood Pressure Screening

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The Watertown Mall will host two health and wellness events on Nov. 1: a flu clinic and a blood pressure screening. See the following announcements for details. Flu Clinic

The Watertown Mall and the Watertown Health Department are partnering up for a flu clinic at the mall on Friday, Nov. 1, beginning at 10 a.m. This two-hour long event will be held in the back hallway of the mall, near Target and is free for all customers over six months old.

Around Town

New Technology Added to Children’s Room at Watertown Library

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The historic facade of the Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Free Public Library announced new technology that has recently been added to the Children’s Room. See details below:

Libraries are vital access points for technology in any community, and the Watertown Free Public Library is no exception. Recently, the WFPL Children’s Room has made some changes to technology offerings that fit perfectly with the library’s mission to “connect people to ideas, information, education, creative opportunities, and each other.”

In September, the Children’s Room began lending Launchpads for in-library use. These are small, portable touchscreen tablets pre-loaded with early learning games and puzzles that feature everything from farm animals, dinosaurs, and the human body to favorite characters like Rescue Bots and My Little Pony.