Police/Fire

Fire Department Receives Grant to Teach Fire Safety in Watertown Schools

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The Watertown Fire Department is excited to announce our receiving S.A.F.E. and Senior SAFE Grant funds from the state for the second year in a row. We have received $5,407 for S.A.F.E (Student Awareness of Fire Education) and $2,813 for Senior SAFE. Over the past year we were able to visit each third grade classroom in the district to educate the students on several topics including smoke and CO alarms, home escape planning, crawling low under smoke, and match and lighter safety. With the receipt of this year’s funds we hope to continue our efforts with the third grade and work on expanding to other grade levels. The funds will also help the fire department train more firefighters as Public Fire and Life Safety Educators through the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.

Animals

See How to Get Free Vet Care for Low-Income Pet Owners

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Those struggling to pay for vet care for their pets can get free services thanks to a program offered through a partnership between a statewide organization, a local veterinarian and Watertown Animal Control. 

Watertown Animal Control sent out the following announcement:

Massachusetts Animal Fund, Pet Haven Animal Hospital and Watertown Animal Control are hosting the event on March 10th. Free spay/neuter services are available to low-income pet owners as well as low cost rabies shot and microchips. If interested call the Animal Fund 617-626-1740.

Complete Streets

Second Meeting on Complete Streets Recommendations Planned

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Town officials announced they will host the second meeting in the process to create a Prioritization Plan for Complere Steeets projects in Watertown. The meeting follows an initial session in December where residents identified projects in their neighborhoods to improve the situation for motor vehicles, public transportation, bicycles and pedestrians. At the end of the process the Town will come up with a list of 15-20 projects to prioritize when funds become available. The Town sent out the following information:

Watertown Complete Streets Prioritization Plan Meeting #2

Review project recommendations for plans to help make a more walkable, bikable, and transit friendly Watertown. A public meeting about recommendations for the Town’s Complete Streets Prioritization Plan is scheduled for Wednesday, February 28th at 6:30 PM, in the Town Council Chambers in Town Hall.

Around Town

Watertown Walks Returns With Trek Through Mt. Auburn Cemetery

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Live Well Watertown, a group promoting healthy living, will once again host a series of guided walks in the community. The first one is coming up on Feb. 15, 2018. Live Well Watertown sent out the following information:

Watertown Walks

The next series begins February 15th ~
Thursdays, February 15th through March 8th, 12:00 – 1:00pm

Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge
http://mountauburn.org/visit/getting-here/,
Free parking, Walkers will meet at the main entrance

Bundle up for some fresh February air – spring will be here in no time! Get a head start on outdoor activity and notice how much better you feel!

AirBnB

Meeting Planned to Discuss AirBnB, Other Home Sharing Services in Watertown

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Watertown officials will host a meeting to discuss AirBnB and other short term rental of homes. The Town sent out the following announcement:

What do you think of AirBnB or other home sharing services that create short term rentals? Love them or hate them, come discuss this evolving use and help the Town formulate regulations. Where:  Watertown Library – Watertown Savings Bank Room

When:  Wednesday, February 21, 2018 – 6:30 PM

The Watertown Department of Community Development and Planning is holding a community meeting to discuss short-term rentals in Watertown. Anyone interested in learning about this topic or expressing an opinion is encouraged to come.

Business

Event on Thursday About What’s Happening with the Watertown-Belmont Chamber

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Officials from the Watertown-Belmont Chamber of Commerce invite those interested in finding out what’s happening with the chamber to an event on Thursday evening. WBCC sent out the following information:

Find Out What’s Happening at the Watertown-Belmont Chamber of Commerce. The Watertown-Belmont Chamber is hosting a Membership Appreciation event. Come hear what’s happening at the WBCC. Representatives from the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber will also be at the event

WHEN: Thursday, February 8, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Oakley Country Club, 410 Belmont Street, Watertown

This will be a FREE event for all members, non-members, past members, Watertown and Belmont businesses, non-profits and town representatives.

Entertainment

Tickets Available for Revels Spring Sing Performance in Watertown

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The Revels singing group will celebrate the coming of spring with its Spring Sing in Watertown this March, the group announced. Revels Spring Sing – A Family Celebration of the Vernal Equinox on Saturday, March 17, 2018 from 2:00 – 4:00pm at the Belmont-Watertown UMC, 80 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA. Wave goodbye to winter surrounded by budding forsythia and sprigs of green at  this joyful family celebration of spring filled with music, songs and mumming fit for the season! Revels music director Megan Henderson leads the festivities which include lots of communal singing, a seriously funny mummers play, delicious refreshments, plus a visit from that ancient harbinger of spring, the Padstow ‘Obby ‘Oss, all the way from Cornwall, England!

Government

Town Seeks to Fill Openings on Planning Board, Zoning Board and Other Boards

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The Town of Watertown has several openings on volunteer boards and commissions, including the Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board and Traffic Commission, according to an announcement from the 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: Zoning 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.