Around Town

Residents Can Apply to be in Watertown Citizens Police Academy

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Once again this year, the Watertown Police Department will host the Citizen Police Academy, and residents are invited to register. The 2019 Citizen Police Academy will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 18, and will run one night a week for 10 weeks from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Applications must be received by Sept. 13, 2019. Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn sent out the following letter:

As the Watertown Police Department advances its community policing efforts, it is important to have citizen-police interaction and cooperation.

Business

Biotech Company Moving from Cambridge to Watertown

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Biotech company Platelet BioGenesis Inc. will be moving from Cambridge to Watertown. The company that researches platelet-based therapeutics announced it will be leasing lab space at the complex at 65 Grove St., which is also home to Bosch Thermotechnology Corp., Markem-Imaje and Lyndra. The company sent out the following information:

Platelet BioGenesis, Inc. (PBG), the leader in stem cell-derived, on-demand human platelets (PLTs+™) and platelet-based therapeutics, today announced that it has signed a lease for 18,000 square feet of lab space at 65 Grove Street in the emerging biotech hotbed of Watertown, Mass. The space is being built-to-purpose to provide the physical infrastructure necessary for the company to scale its unique stem cell-derived platelet manufacturing platform, advance its core program to the clinic and establish proof of concept for platelet-based therapeutics. https://www.watertownmanews.com/2018/06/12/an-inside-look-at-boschs-watertown-office-where-it-will-develop-new-a-c-heating-technology/

“With a burgeoning life sciences ecosystem of its own, easy accessibility to the biotech cluster in Cambridge and high-quality space for reasonable rates, Watertown is an ideal location to establish PBG’s first stand-alone headquarters to support our ongoing growth,” said Sven Karlsson, co-founder, and chief operating officer of Platelet BioGenesis.

Around Town

New Garage at Arsenal Yards Complete, Open for Customers

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The garage at Arsenal Yards is now open. The construction at Arsenal Yards reached a milestone recently as the new parking garage was completed and is open for customers. The garage will be the largest parking area at the new Arsenal Yards. It sits on the east side of the property, and will be in back of the Hampton Inn & Suites hotel. The following information was provided by Boylston Properties:

Arsenal Yards construction remains on schedule and we’re extremely excited to announce that the parking garage in front of Marshalls is NOW OPEN for use by all visitors, employees, and customers.

Around Town

Hit the Watertown Library & Other Spots the Minuteman Library Crawl

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A view of what the current Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Free Library and libraries around the Minuteman Library Network are hosting a library crawl on Aug. 1. The Watertown Library provided the following information:

The Minuteman libraries invite you to join a network-wide scavenger hunt, explore the libraries near you, and learn what makes each one special. A “crawl,” or tour, is a fun way to visit multiple Libraries in your area.

Transportation

Overnight Closures on Mass. Pike Begin Soon

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The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has announced that there will be various overnight impacts including lane closures on I-90 east and westbound as well as short-term detours of Commonwealth Avenue east and westbound in the area of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and the Boston University Bridge from Monday, July 22 through Saturday, August 10. These impacts will take place during overnight hours only and will allow crews to safely and effectively conduct scheduled construction operations on the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge. The impacts will vary depending upon the work being conducted, but in general, the I-90 lane closures will take place from approximately 9 p.m., through 4:30 a.m., and the Commonwealth Avenue detours will take place from 1:30 a.m., to 4:30 a.m.

As always, work is being conducted in ways that minimize impacts on the traveling public and local community. For example, operations are being conducted during overnight hours to prevent travel disruptions. These impacts are associated with the larger bridge replacement project and are necessary to conduct final scheduled construction activities per project plans.

Entertainment

Small Saves: Rainy Day

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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

MTBA CharlieCards Now Available in Watertown

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The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The MBTA announced that the Town of Watertown has partnered with the T in the growing initiative to increase the availability of CharlieCards to residents who rely on public transportation. Under the initiative, free no-balance CharlieCards are available at the following Watertown locations:

•        Watertown Town Hall 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472

CharlieCards available in the Clerk’s Office on the ground floor and in the Planning Department on the third floor. •         Watertown Free Public Library 123 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472

The Town of Watertown joins a growing list of Cities and Towns partnering with the MBTA to increase access to CharlieCards. The City of Chelsea partnered with the MBTA in January 2019 with CharlieCards pre-loaded with $5 as well as free no-balance CharlieCards available in the Treasury Office of Chelsea City Hall. CharlieCards available in the City of Lynn and the City of Salem are also coming soon.

Entertainment

Celebrate Beatrix Potter’s Birthday with Crafts, Songs & Stories

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Mall:

Watertown Mall and Watertown Families Together come together to celebrate the 153 rd birthday of Beatrix Potter, author of the beloved book, Peter Rabbit. This free event will consist of Peter Rabbit themed crafts, songs and stories. The celebration will take place on Thursday, July 25 at 10:00 a.m. This event will take place in the back hallway, across from Carter’s. Attendees will have the opportunity to win a copy of Peter Rabbit! We look forward to seeing you there!