Around Town

See What’s Happening at the Watertown Senior Center in March

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The Watertown Senior Center has a many, many activities in March, including a workshop on renewing drivers licenses, flower arrangements and more

Press Releases from the Watertown COA/Senior Center Some of our MARCH 2019 events include: 

IT’S A GREAT DAY TO LEARN ABOUT:

The Registry of Motor Vehicles will offer a free workshop on license renewal and REAL ID for residents. Topics include: · What is the difference between “Standard ID” and “Real ID” driver’s licenses and ID cards; · How to renew a Massachusetts Driver’s License or Massachusetts Identification (ID) Card; and What are the new federal and state requirements for renewing a Driver’s License or ID card Staff from State Senator William Brownsberger’s office will be on hand to issue NEW MBTA Senior and Transportation Access Pass (TAP) CharlieCards, and to help with questions regarding the MBTA’s automated fare collection system. New cards will be processed for first-time Seniors (65 + with proof of age). Your new card will arrive by mail. This service was arranged through the office of State Senator William Brownsberger.

Around Town

Free Blood Pressure Screening at Watertown Mall

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Every first Friday of the month, the Watertown Mall hosts a free blood pressure screening from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. For this upcoming month, this will happen on March 1, 2019. The screenings are sponsored by the Watertown Health Department. Screenings take place in the back hallway of the mall, near Target & Carter’s. About the Watertown Mall:

The Watertown Mall is wheelchair accessible and accessible by MBTA Bus routes 70 and 70A.

Transportation

Snowfall Wednesday Night Could Impact Evening Commute, See MassDOT Info

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is advising the public that the National Weather Service is forecasting snowfall to spread from west to east across the Commonwealth beginning late this afternoon and into Thursday morning with accumulations of several inches in some areas. The forecast is for dry weather by Thursday afternoon. “Everyone traveling should monitor the forecast and expect to travel at slower speeds when the snow is falling,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “We advise people to drive the conditions during the storm which means keeping a safe distance behind other vehicles and allowing for plenty of time to slow down, and reducing speeds when making turns or traveling on highway on and off ramps.”

MassDOT’s snow and ice operations will be deployed throughout the Commonwealth as conditions necessitate. Highway Districts always conduct preparation activities in advance of new weather systems and are able to pretreat roadways with brine and Magnesium Chloride when necessary. In the most severe storms, MassDOT’s Highway Division is able to utilize up to 700 personnel to perform snow and ice removal operations on more than 15,000 lane miles of roadway throughout the Commonwealth.

Obituaries

OBIT: Thomas McDermott, 87, Former Selectman Chairman, Owned AlphaGraphics

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Thomas McDermott

A Funeral Mass for Thomas J. McDermott, 87, will be held on Saturday, March 2, in the Church of Saint Patrick, 212 Main St., Watertown. Mr. McDermott, a son of the late Patrick J. and Mary (McGuire) McDermott, was born in Watertown. He was a lifelong resident of the town, attended Saint Patrick Grammar School and graduated from Boston College High School. He furthered his education receiving a bachelor’s degree from Boston College and a master’s degree from Suffolk University. After Boston College, Mr. McDermott served in the United States Army Honor Guard during the Korean Conflict era.

Schools

Applications Being Accepted for 51st Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship

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Lt. Paul Sullivan was killed in Vietnam in 1968, and a scholarship in his name has been given out for 50 years. Organizers of the Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship sent out the following announcement:

The Lieutenant Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the 51st annual Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship. The Scholarship Award of $5,000 will be awarded to a deserving high school senior to perpetuate Paul’s memory. There will also be awards for the other finalists. Last year, a total of $23,000 was awarded to ten young men and women.

Government

See the Openings Available on Watertown’s Boards and Commissions

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Town Manager’s Office:

Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll is seeking Watertown citizens interested in serving on the following Town Boards, Commissions and Committees in accordance with Ordinance # 2007-46, an Ordinance on the Timing and Process of Appointments to Town Boards, Commissions and Committees. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or other information concerning background or experience by email to townmgr@watertown-ma.gov or Town Manager’s Office, 149 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472. Board/Commission: Zoning Board of Appeals

Description: Board of Appeals grants all special permits and variances needed for certain construction and development projects. Candidates should have knowledge of M.G.L. Chapter 40A, the Zoning Act, as well as architecture, engineering, landscape design, construction, planning, law, or related field. Board meets once a month, usually the last Wednesday of each month; special meetings, as required.

Obituaries

OBIT: Paul McCaffrey, 79, Retired Watertown Fire Chief

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Retired Watertown Fire Chief Paul McCaffrey. Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn announced the death of retired Fire Chief Paul McCaffrey on Feb. 24, 2019 of occupational cancer. He was 79 years old. The following obituary was from the Nardone Funeral Home:

Fire Chief Paul McCaffrey was born in Boston, Mass.

Addiction

Movie, Discussion of Addiction at Free Event at Mosesian Center for the Arts

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The following information was provided by the Wayside Youth & Family Support Network:

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s Multi-Service Center and PBS’ science series, NOVA, are holding a screening of the documentary, Addiction. The screening is free and open to the public. The film, produced by NOVA, a program of WGBH Boston, takes a hard look at the science of addiction. Addiction features firsthand accounts from individuals and families struggling with opioid addiction. While addiction has long been viewed as a moral failing, leading scientists will help viewers understand why addiction is a disorder that occurs as a result of drugs profoundly altering the brain. Addictionexplores how we might best address our drug problem, from advances in neuroscience, the development of evidence-based treatments to the rethinking of laws and public policies. A panel of local experts will be on hand to answer audience questions following the film including:

Dr. Laura Kehoe, medical director, MGH Substance Use Disorder Bridge Clinic, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, also featured in the filmDr. Dara Arons, family physician, Charles River Community HealthDr. Damian Archer, chief medical officer, North Shore Community Health CenterPeter Airasian, co-founder, Watertown Overcoming Addiction

When: Tues., March 5, 2019, 6–8:30 p.m.

Where: Mosesian Center, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA

Eventbrite RSVP: https://bit.ly/2UTpujx or contact Stephanie_Sunderland@waysideyouth.org

A Narcan training will be provided by the Watertown Fire Department.