Development

LETTER: Development on Arsenal Street is Changing the East End

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To the editor, and the Watertown community,

I think the thing that bothers me most about this, and many other developments going on around the Boston area, is the fact that none of what I see takes into account the existing residents. There is no thought about who already lives here, and how what they develop will affect the area. There is no thought of including any of the character, the history of the location, buildings, etc., which is very important to the knowledge of how our county was formed. No thought of the people who have made this area what it is … no thought of all of the cultures, especially in East Watertown, that already reside here.

Around Town

Youth Activism Celebrated at Watertown Citizens Annual Meeting

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The following piece was submitted by Deborah Peterson and Sue-Ellen Hershman-Tcherepnin of Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice and the Environment:

Now in its 39th year, Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice and the Environment continues to lead and inspire community activism. On Sunday June 3, nearly 70 members filled Fellowship Hall at Belmont Watertown Methodist Church to enjoy potluck supper and hear a panel of young activists ranging from middle schoolers to post graduates. The fresh voices of Alex Thuene, Shivani Sharma, Kimia Tabatabaei, Yara Akkeh, Brenton Stoddart, Caitlin Forbes and Ari Stern were heard loud and clear as moderator Tod Gross probed deeply into their motivations and accomplishments.  The breadth of the issues on which these young panelists are working includes refugee crises, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, gun violence, racial justice and
environmental protection – mirroring many of the activities in which Watertown Citizens has been active for nearly four decades. Each member of the panel spoke eloquently about their inspiration. Privilege and oppression are not abstract concepts for them; rather, these are real, operational terms. Some told of personal journeys growing up, in which they witnessed brutal conditions encountered by others less fortunate.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Department will be Assessed for Re-Accreditation

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Chief Michael Lawn is pleased to announce that a team of assessors from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission is scheduled to arrive on June 26, 2018, to begin examining various aspects of the Watertown Police Department’s policies and procedures, operations and facilities. Verification by the Assessment Team that the Department meets the Commission’s standards is part of a voluntary process to gain state Accreditation — a self-initiated evaluation process by which police departments strive to meet and maintain standards that have been established for the profession, by the profession. The Massachusetts Police Accreditation Program consists of 257 mandatory standards as well as 125 optional standards. In order to achieve accreditation status, the Department must meet all applicable mandatory standards as well as 75 of the optional standards. Achieving Accreditation is a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence.

Government

OP-ED: Details of Gun Control Legislation Being Considered on Beacon Hill

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{The following piece was written by State Sen. Will Brownsberger (D – Belmont) who represents Watertown in the Massachusetts State House}

The House and Senate have both now given initial approval to legislation to make it easier to take guns away from people who are a risk of harming themselves or others. It will likely be finalized and enacted before the end of this session. We already have strong laws that allow a person to seek protection of the court, including removal of firearms, when he or she fears violence from a partner. And school shootings are hard to predict. The best argument for the new legislation is that it will reduce the dominant but least visible category of gun death: suicide.

Around Town

Recreation Department Hosts Free Kayaking Event on Charles River

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The Watertown Recreation Department announced it will host a free Kayaking event on the Charles River – in partnership with Live Well Watertown. Participants will pair up in a double kayak for a fun, leisurely, or active ride along the Charles River. Charles River Recreation will provide basic instruction and safety rules for all who participate. This program is open to new and experienced kayakers. Comfortable, layered clothing is recommended; wear shoes that can get wet.

80 Elm Street

Proposal for Self Storage Facility in East End Will be Discussed at Community Meeting

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The developers of a proposed self storage facility sent out the following announcement:

Please join 80 Elm Street Partners for a presentation of the plans and discussion of the new self storage facility it proposes to build at the former Atlantic Battery site located at 80 Elm St., Watertown, MA. 

DATE: Wednesday, June 20, 2018

TIME: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

PLACE: The Apartments at Coolidge School, 319 Arlington St., Watertown

For more information contact HDS Architecture, Inc.’s Hans D. Strauch at 617-714-5870

(See the schematic design drawings by clicking here.)

Town Council Votes Down Prohibiting Self Storage in Watertown

Around Town

LEGO World Robot Olympiad Coming to Watertown’s Hatch Makerspace

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library and Hatch Makerspace:
Learn robotics in a fun and exciting environment! The LEGO World Robot Olympiad is a worldwide robotics competition that approaches issues in today’s world through creative problem solving and team building. Hatch Makerspace will host teams for the 2018 season, alleviating most of the burden of a new team’s startup cost ($450-$1000!), this includes:
• Use and access to our Lego Mindstorm Education and Expansion kits
• Use and access to our laptops with Lego Mindstorm Software
• Coaching from our stellar volunteers
• Support from the WRO MA/CT organizers in the form of competition mats, the official game kit, and lesson plans
There will be a mandatory information session for potential team members on Thursday, June 21 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Hatch Makerspace at 20 Summer Street in Watertown. Show up to learn how it all works, see a demonstration of the robots, and form your team! The MA/CT organizer for the WRO will be at Hatch to answer questions and guide you through team formation.

Around Town

Watertown Youth Coalition Hosting Community Spirit Awards

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The Watertown Youth Coalition will honor people committed to the health and well-being of Watertown’s youth and families during the the Community Spirit Awards. Honorees are nominated for a Community Spirit Award for having done any of the following:

Served as a positive influence or mentor to a Watertown Youth Coalition member or to others in the community
Had the courage to address challenging issues that affect youth and the community
Has actively taken steps to improve the Watertown community (in big and small ways)

It will be at Arsenal Park, 485 Arsenal St., Watertown, on Monday, June 11 from 6-7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Food will be provided. Please RSVP if you are planning to attend. RSVP for Event