Government

LETTER: Town Should Not Double Book Important Meetings

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The Town of Watertown scheduled two important public meetings to conflict with each other this Wednesday eve, May 31: the first Victory Field Phase 2 Committee meeting, and the Arsenal Yards Phase II community meeting. This double-booking should set off alarm bells for every voting citizen and taxpayer. It robs us and our elected representatives of the opportunity to be present for two meetings of keen public interest. Proposals discussed at these meetings will have long term consequences for many if not most citizens. Watertownians, please add your voice, by letter, phone call or email, to tell your Councilors and city government that Watertown public meetings on topics of wide public interest must never be scheduled to conflict.

Cancer Research

Watertown Man and 2 Sons Will Buzz Their Hair Off to Fight Childhood Cancer

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Special guest, Rob Gronkowski, and hundreds of brave men, women, and kids – including a Watertown man and his sons – will unite to buzz their heads for pediatric cancer awareness and raise funds for the charity, One Mission. The eighth Annual Buzz Off will take place on Sunday, June 4, at Gillette Stadium and the money raised through Buzz Off participation will help fund exciting programs for kids fighting cancer at local hospitals. Watertown’s Watertown’s Ken and his sons Bryce and Ethan will buzz their heads to raise funds for pediatric cancer programs.
“One Mission does whatever to get it takes to get kids and families through cancer treatment, said Ashley Haseotes, Founder of One Mission. “Our goal is to make life in the hospital less lonely and stressful, provide some joy during a time of fear and uncertainty, and give patients and their families the support they need to get through the emotional and unexpected financial challenges of treatment.”
Proceeds from the Gillette Buzz Off event will fund One Mission programs at Boston Children’s Hospital, the Jimmy Fund Clinic at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. “I’m so excited to be part of the One Mission Buzz Off again this year! One Mission helps so many kids going through a really tough time,” says Buzzee and Tight End Rob Gronkowski.

Government

OBIT: Watertown Historic District Commissioner Carolyn “Nicki” Famiglietti

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The members of the Historic District Commission of Watertown regretfully announce the passing of Carolyn M. “Nicki” Famiglietti, the Secretary to the Historic District Commission for 6 years, announced Preservation Agent Chris Hayward. As a practicing lawyer, and graduate of Boston University School of Law, Carolynn brought exceptional intelligence that was mixed with common sense to the body of this commission and every meeting. She always possessed an awareness of the oftentimes competing aspects contained in each project. Carolyn had an ability to apply the rules of the Historic District Ordinance in a way that honored the rules themselves, the applicants appearing before the commission, and each of the residents of the Historic District over her years of service to the community. It has been an honor to work with Carolyn throughout the years and she will be missed as a valued member of the commission as well as a friend.

Entertainment

See the Lineup for the 2017 Watertown Summer Concert Series

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This summer, Watertown will once again host a series of free concerts at Saltonstall Park. Concerts will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. in the park next to Town Hall, with a rain location at the Watertown Free Public Library. June 29 – The Jamberries, a children’s concert sponsored by the Watertown Family Network

July 6 – Hal McIntyre Big Band

July 13 – Fellswater

July 20 – Los Sugar Kings

July 27 – Heart Attack Ack Ack Ack Ack

Aug. 3 – Eddie Japan

Aug. 10 – Boston Baked Blues

The 2017 Summer Concert Series is Sponsored by:

The Town of Watertown, Sasaki Associates, Inc., Stop & Shop, and Watertown Savings Bank

Around Town

See Who Will be Marching in Watertown’s Memorial Day Parade

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Watertown’s Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, and will include some special guests, including the family of fallen Watertown Firefighter Joseph Toscano. The parade begins at noon on Monday at the corner of Mt. Auburn and Arlington streets, and ends in front of Town Hall on Main Street. Following the parade a ceremony will be held at Saltonstall Park, next to Town Hall. Here are the participants in the 2017 parade:
Watertown Police Department
Waltham American Legion Band
Gold Star Mothers (Watertown Ford)
25th Marines Honor Guard
Shutt Detachment
Naval Sea Cadets
Middlesex Sherriff’s Office Honor Guard
New England Band Drum Corp
Family of Fire Fighter Joseph Toscano
Watertown Fire Department
The Honorable Few (motorcycles)
Merrimack Valley Military Vehicle Group
Ancient Order of the Hibernians
AOH Drum and Pipe Band
DAV Van (Dennis Gill) Amvets Post 14
Watertown Son’s of Italy
Watertown Provincial Guard
North End Marching Band Of Boston
Watertown Town and Local Officials
Watertown Savings Bank
The National Lancers
Recreation Department
Blue Bells
DM Productions (DJ Dan McCarthy)
Scouts of Watertown (Troop 30)
Girl Scouts of Eastern Mass.

Around Town

Meet Lynda, the Watertown Library’s Newest Online Resource

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The Watertown Free Public Library’s newest online resource, Lynda.com, is a website with more than 5,000 self-paced courses on a wide variety of topics: web design and development, leadership and business skills, Microsoft Office and other software programs, online marketing, 3D modeling, animation, video production, and much more. Lynda.com offers something for everyone: job seekers, small business owners, musicians and photographers, teachers and students, HATCH enthusiasts, and users of everyday technology. Learners can dive into comprehensive courses or pick and choose individual videos to meet their immediate needs. For career guidance, Lynda offers Learning Paths: sequences of courses such as “Become a Project Manager,” “Improve Your Microsoft Excel Skills,” or “Become a Front-End Web Developer.”

“Individual subscriptions to Lynda.com start at $19.99 a month,” notes Library Director Leone Cole. “But with the library’s shared subscription, Watertown residents need only a library card and PIN to leverage this powerful resource in pursuit of their personal, educational, or professional goals.”

Starting June 1, residents can access Lynda.com from any computer or mobile device, via a link on the library’s website.

Government

Residents Can Apply to Serve on Several Town Committees & Boards

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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: Stormwater Advisory Committee

Description: The Stormwater Advisory Committee acts as an advisory body to the Superintendent of Public Works. The Committee will identify and advocate for stormwater funding through grants and other sources; develop educational programs to increase public awareness of stormwater management; and perform any other tasks relevant to assisting the Superintendent of Public Works with the implementation of best practices for stormwater management. The Committee shall also make an annual progress report to the Town Council.

Police/Fire

Police Still Trying to Locate Missing 26-Year-Old Watertown Man

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On May 21, 2017, Nolan Gargas’ family reported him missing and Watertown Police are seeking help locating him. Gargas’ grey 2006 Toyota with Massachusetts license plate 169 RK5 was found Sunday in Nahant and searches by authorities in the area could not locate him. He is a white male, age 26, 6-foot-2, 150 pounds, and was last seen wearing a green and white plaid shirt. He is also an experience hiker. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Nolan Gargas should contact the Watertown Police Department at 617-972-6500 or Nahant Police at 781-581-1212.