Around Town

Forum This Week on the Opiates Epidemic in Watertown Features Katherine Clark

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The W.A.T.E.R.town (Watertown Access to Treatment, Educations and Resources) Task Force on Substance Use Disorder announced a November educational and informational forum entitled “Together We Can…Erase the Stigma.”

The Task Force released the following announcement:

This forum features U.S. Representative Katherine Clark as the keynote speaker and sponsor of two bills aimed at reducing the amount of unused and unwanted pain medications fueling the opioid epidemic and ensuring safe care plans for families with infants suffering from opioid exposure, which were passed unanimously by the House. Joining Congresswoman Clark will be noted experts on opioid use, the effects of prescription and other opioids on the brain, and the effects that addiction, treatment and recovery have on family and friends. Attendees will learn about the local and national response to this public health epidemic, what can be done to prevent substance use disorder, and the resources that are available in Watertown. We are pleased to also feature Dr. Laura Kehoe from Massachusetts General Hospital with her very informative presentation of how opioids affect the brain, Rhonda Lotti, a dedicated and loving parent who has experienced substance use disorder in her family, and Jeff Hatch, a former NFL player who has also experienced substance use disorder and has dedicated his life to helping others fight this disease. The Watertown Middle School located at 68 Waverley Avenue offers ample space for this forum and we hope to attract parents of all age groups, as well as all other members of the community.

Letters

LETTER: Watertown Schools Could be Renovated Without Major Tax Increase

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To the Editor,

Why is a tax override or debt exclusion needed to fund the renovation and upgrade of the 5 Watertown Public Schools? During this recent election season, tax increases were discussed with a lot of passion both for and against the proposed surcharge to fund the Conservation Preservation Act (CPA). Another discussion conflated the CPA tax and a tax override or debt exclusion to pay for proposed renovations to Watertown’s aging schools. The message presented was that if the CPA passed, residents would be facing a second tax increase to pay for the schools. I disagreed with the premise that an override/exclusion was necessary and the only option to fund the school upgrades (http://www.mass.gov/dor/docs/dls/publ/misc/levylimits.pdf).

Community Preservation Act

LETTER: The Election is Over, Losers Should Accept Results Nationally and Locally

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To the editor,

On November 8, 2013 the 50 States and District of Columbia held elections for President of the United States. The results are in and at last count as many as 306 electors were won by Donald Trump.For the benefit of those who forgot their High School Civics, Article 2 of the Constitution makes it clear, the Sovereign State Elect the President. The State Legislatures are empowered to select Electors in whatever manner they see fit. There is no requirement that popular vote be held. In fact it was process where States slowly started adopting a popular vote.

Around Town

Watertown Group Holding Conversation About Black Lives Matter Movement

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Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice & the Environment announced it will hold a meeting called “Continued Conversation: Black Lives Matter” on Wednesday, November 16 at 7 p.m.

The meeting will be held in the Watertown Savings Bank Room of the Watertown Free Public Library. The group sent out the following information:

On Sept. 21, 2016, the monthly meeting of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment created a space for thoughtful conversation about the impact and meaning of the Black Lives Matter movement. A substantial number of the 25 attendees requested that this community conversation continue. This second gathering has been scheduled for the upcoming Watertown Citizens’ monthly meeting, this time in the Watertown Savings Bank room, which will allow room for more people to join in.

Government

OP-ED: Councilor on Why Property Taxes are Rising, How They Seek to Control Them

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It is unquestioned that Watertown is going through an unprecedented level of growth and change. In this type of environment, even within the confines of Proposition 2 ½, many residents struggle to pay increasing property taxes on limited incomes. In recognition of the realities residents all over town are facing, in recognition of the current and future market increases and how such trends affect our commercial and residential classes and with the Community Preservation Act being passed by voters (to be on taxpayer bills in 2018), I offer the following to the residents of Watertown as, hopefully, a form of reassurance regarding FY17 and future tax classifications. From 1998-2016 the average tax bill in Watertown increased just over 4.0% each year. Although 4.0% is the rough average, in 10 of those years the average tax bill only increased between 2.0-4.0%.

Entertainment

Watertown Residents Featured in Stage Production of ‘Footloose’

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WCT/Arsenal Center for the Arts presents of Footloose, Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, based on the Original Screenplay by Dean Pitchford, music by Tom Snow, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman. Performances are Nov. 18 at 7 p.m., Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. in the Charles Mosesian Theater, Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St, Watertown.

Elections

LETTER: Rough and Tumble Campaign Over, Now it’s Time to Work Together

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To the editor,

As one of the most vocal opponents of the CPA during the campaign, I’d like to congratulate the proponents on their victory.  

There is no doubt that this campaign was heated.  Often times, hyperbole came from both sides. That’s what happens in a campaign. For those of us who have been involved in politics for years, it’s not surprise, nor do we find anything out of the ordinary. Politics is a blood sport during a campaign.

Entertainment

Cast Performance of Fiddler on the Roof at the Arsenal Mall

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Catch a performance of Fiddler on the Roof up close and personal at the Arsenal Project. The workshop and singalong will be hosted by the Arsenal Project (the former Arsenal Mall) and New Rep Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m., the mall announced. Enjoy a cast performance of favorite songs from the New Rep Theatre’s upcoming production, “Fiddler on the Roof” followed by a mini theater workshop & sing-along taught by New Rep education associate, Lily Linke. Meet and greet New Rep Theatre actors, enter to win a pair of tickets to “Fiddler on the Roof”, and enjoy complimentary refreshments!