Around Town

Mini Grants Available from Tufts Health Plan Foundation

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The following announcement was provided by Tufts Health Plan:

Tufts Health Plan Foundation announced Momentum Fund mini-grants of up to $10,000 are available to advance age-friendly and dementia-friendly work in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. These one-year awards are designed to build on community experiences and insights as they advance age- and dementia-friendly cities and towns. 

“The strongest ideas for engaging on aging issues come from community,” said Nora Moreno Cargie, president of Tufts Health Plan Foundation and vice president for corporate citizenship at Tufts Health Plan. “Our desire is to ensure these resources support those ideas.” 

As the only regional funder focused exclusively on healthy aging, Tufts Health Plan Foundation works to strengthen and support communities to help them become great places to grow up and grow old. Since 2008, it has given nearly $34 million to community organizations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. The Foundation will begin funding in Connecticut this year. 

To inform decision making, review proposals and make recommendations for funding, the Foundation has convened local committees in each state.

Government

Two Opportunities to Meet with State Rep. Hecht in July

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State Rep. Jonathan Hecht

The following announcement was provided by Rep. Hecht’s Office:

Representative Jonathan Hecht will hold office hours twice in Watertown in July. Constituents are invited to meet with Representative Hecht at the following time and location:

Friday, July 19, 9:00-10:00 a.m., Watertown Town Hall, 149 Main St., 3rd Floor hallway

Monday, July 22, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., Raya Stern Trustees Room

Anyone unable to attend these office hours can call Representative Hecht at 617-722-2140 to schedule an appointment at another time.

Elections

LETTER: Resident Joins Race for Watertown Library Trustee

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I recently pulled papers to run for the office of Watertown Free Public Library Trustee in the November 2019 election. In the coming weeks and months, I will be canvassing around town, initially gathering enough signatures to appear on the ballot, and getting to know voters and their thoughts about the future of the Watertown Public Library. First, I would like to introduce myself here to my fellow Watertown residents, and explain why I am running for Library Trustee. I am a lifelong Watertown resident. I grew up in the Irving Park neighborhood near Perkins School for The Blind in the 80s and 90s and about 13 years ago moved to the west side of town where I co-purchased a home with my sister.

Around Town

Middlesex Sheriff Receives Money to Expand Youth Public Safety Academy

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The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian today announced the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) has been awarded nearly $3,700 from Attorney General Maura Healey’s Healthy Summer Youth Jobs Grant Program to help support the MSO’s 20th Annual Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA). “We are grateful to Attorney General Healey for providing this funding which allows us to hire an additional counselor and expand the number of cadets we are able to accept into this year’s YPSA,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “Not only does this grant provide an opportunity for more cadets to participate in this program, but also for a young adult to work in an environment where they can mentor younger neighbors.”

YPSA is a series of six, one-week long camps designed for children ages 8-12 who live in Middlesex County. Cadets spend the week with MSO staff as well as police officers and firefighters from their hometown, forming important bonds with their local law enforcement officials. Cadets also participate in classroom and practical activities designed to teach them important public safety skills including a simulated fire safety trailer offered by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, a challenge course held at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Billerica, and demonstrations offered by the MSO and partner agencies. “Our summer jobs program provides young people across the state with an opportunity to challenge themselves and make a difference in their own community,” AG Healey said.

Environment

OP-ED: MBTA Behind on Climate Change Adaptation

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

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

At a recent MBTA board meeting, it became alarmingly clear that the MBTA is behind in its planning for climate resiliency.  Add that challenge to the challenges of catching up on maintenance, assuring safety, and expanding service. Andrew Brennan, Senior Director for Energy and Environment, explained to the board that the MBTA completed a “high-level” vulnerability assessment of the system in 2017.  His presentation materials are here and his talk begins at 2:55 in this livestream of the June 10 board meeting. The 2017 high level assessment revealed the obvious: Namely, that the most exposed asset is the Blue Line and that the greatest risk to the Blue line comes from flooding due to sea level rise. Only months after the assessment, the winter high tide of 2018 flooded Aquarium station. As to the lowest lying assets on the Blue line (Aquarium station and the Orient Heights Maintenance Facility), more detailed engineering studies have been completed to identify just how they would be flooded and what can be done to protect them: for example, raising openings like vent shafts and raising the most water sensitive components like transformers.

Entertainment

Small Saves Cartoon: Summertime

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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

LETTER: Group Hosting Vigil to End Human Detention Camps

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Event organizers submitted the following announcement:

On Friday, July 12, 2019, Lights for Liberty: A Vigil to End Human Detention Camps will bring thousands of people to locations across the nation to protest the inhumane conditions faced by refugees. We are part of a coalition of people dedicated to human rights and the fundamental principle behind democracy: that all human beings have a right to life, liberty and dignity. Please join us on the green in Watertown Square from 7-8 p.m. We’ll have candles–bring your signs and songs! This is a family- and child-friendly event. A silent sea of candles in cities, towns, homes, and especially at every detention camp, will light up the nation.

Around Town

Renovation of Mt. Auburn Cemetery’s Chapel Completed

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Renovation of Mount Auburn Cemetery’s Bigelow Chapel was recently completed. The following information was provided by Shawmut Design and Construction:

Shawmut Design and Construction, a leading $1.4 billion national construction management firm, announced its completion of a $15 million renovation of Mount Auburn’s Bigelow Chapel. The National Historic Landmark, located in Watertown reopened in December 2018 following enhancements to the 19th century building. Shawmut, together with William Rawn Associates and CSL, worked to enhance and preserve Bigelow Chapel’s façade and interior, which was originally constructed in 1845 out of Quincy granite. The team installed a new, floor-to-ceiling glass addition that complements the original Gothic Revival design by Dr. Jacob Bigelow and connects visitors within the space to the beautiful and meditative landscape outside.