Transportation

Two Highway Projects Will Impact Traffic Around the Boston Area

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation warns drivers about two roadwork projects that could impact traffic around the Boston area – one on the Mass. Turnpike and one on Rte. 128/I-95. MassDOT sent out the following information:
Mass Pike Allston/Brighton Exit Closed
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has announced there will be off-peak, overnight ramp closures next week in the area of the former Allston/Brighton toll plaza on I-90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) to allow crews to safely and effectively carry out construction operations. The full traffic impacts for these operations are as follows:

I-90 eastbound Exit 18 off-ramps to Allston/Brighton closed with a detour to Exit 22

From 11 p.m., Monday, October 2, through 5 a.m., Tuesday, October 3
From 11 p.m., Tuesday, October 3, through 5 a.m., Wednesday, October 4

From 11 p.m., Thursday, October 5, through 5 a.m., Friday, October 6

Vehicles carrying hazardous cargo will not be permitted to utilize this detour route and must seek an alternate route.

Around Town

OP-ED: Library’s Girls Who Code Program Addresses Important Need

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Eight months ago my wife and I welcomed our daughter, Harriet, to the world. She has filled our suddenly sleepless lives with so much joy—and with some anxiety too. Like most parents, my wife and I worry about whether we can give our daughter all the tools she’ll need to lead a fulfilling life. Whether Harriet becomes a car mechanic, a small business owner, or a college professor, she is going to need a basic literacy in computer programming. Fluency in computer languages like HTML and CSS will soon be the low bar for employment in many industries.

Sports

2001 Field Hockey Claimed 8th State Title, Going into WHS Hall of Fame

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The Watertown High School Athletic Hall of Fame presented the following profile:

By the time fall came around in 2001, the nine returning seniors on the field hockey
team already had an impressive resume. The program had won three straight
Middlesex League titles, multiple players earned substantial awards, including
League MVP, All-Scholastic, and even All-American. But one big albatross loomed
large over Victory field during the heat of August and steam of pre-season practice. None of the nine was a State Champion. The Red Raiders made it all the way to the title game during their sophomore campaign, only to lose a heart-breaking overtime thriller.

Letters

LETTER: Resident Worries About Lead Contained in Artificial Turf

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(The following was presented to the Town Council on Sept. 26)

So, we need more artificial turf for our kids. Really?According to the Centers for Disease Control, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the Mayo Clinic, there is NO safe level of lead, especially for children. A child’s brain and nervous system are in the process of developing. Biologically, even high school athletes are still children.

Sports

Basketball Star Anthony Coppola Joining WHS Athletic Hall of Fame

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Like many of the esteemed student-athletes in the WHS Athletic Hall of Fame, Anthony Coppola, class of 2007, was a multi-sport athlete. But it was in the gym and on the basketball court under the direction of Hall of Fame coach, Steve Harrington, where he was most dynamic and successful. The WHS Athletic Hall of Fame sent out the following profile:

“Anthony was relentless,” Harrington told us. “He had tunnel vision all the time, but especially as a senior, when we knew as a program we could make a good run at the program’s first State Title.” And after a grinding 18 game Middlesex League schedule, a brutal battle through the D3 North sectionals, a glorious trip to the Boston Garden, and four clutch free-throws by the cool, calm, and collected Coppola down the stretch to cap a nail biting one point victory in Worcester, the Red Raiders did indeed get to hoist the trophy. Like many of Harington’s troops, Coppola started out at the Boys and Girls Club playing Biddy Basketball.

Around Town

Contest for Students to Find the Biggest Trees in Watertown

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Trees for Watertown, a citizens group dedicated to protecting and advocating for trees, is sponsoring a contest for children to find the biggest trees in Town. The group sent out the following announcement:

Calling All Kids – Become a Tree Winner!! Six gift cards to be awarded for finding the largest trees in Watertown of: Ginko, Maple, Oak, Sycamore, White Pine, Linden

If your tree is the largest three in that category you will win a $15 gift card to Belmont Books. Contest Rules:

You must be a student in grades K-8

Location of tree, species name of tree, and your name and grade should be emailed to jane.s.holden@gmail.com

Mt. Auburn Cemetery Trees are not allowed

Members of Trees for Watertown will verify winning entries

All emails must be sent by Oct.

Election 2018

See Which Candidate for Governor Won the Faire on the Square Straw Poll

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Newton Mayor Setti Warren was the choice of Faire-goers among Democratic candidates for governor in the Watertown Democratic Town Committee’s annual straw poll at Saturday’s Faire on the Square. Warren won 41 percent of the 115 votes cast, while former Secretary of Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez came in second with 37 percent, according to the announcement from the Democratic Town Committee. The poll was held at the Democratic Town Committee’s booth at Watertown’s annual Faire on the Square, Saturday, September 23, 2017. Participants were asked to choose between the announced candidates in the 2018 Democratic Gubernatorial Primary. Coming in third place with 18 percent of the vote was former Lieutenant Governor candidate and environmental entrepreneur Bob Massie.

Around Town

Find Out About Workshops, Volunteering at Watertown Cable Access

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Watertown Cable Access Corp. (WCA-TV) will be having an open house on Wednesday, October 25th from 6 pm to 9 pm. Residents of Watertown are invited to come check out Watertown’s own cable access station to take a tour of the studio and learn about workshops and volunteer opportunities, WCA-TV announced. Interested in getting involved in Watertown’s only cable news program? Our news crew will have a “pop up newsroom” where you can pitch story ideas or find out how to get involved with Watertown Weekly News.