Around Town

Plenty Going On at the Watertown Senior Center in November

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The Watertown Senior Center is chock full of activities in November. Here is the Senior Center Newsletter submitted by the staff. Some of our NOVEMBER 2016 events include:

With Thanks from the Director

I could not be more grateful for all those who support the Senior Center by attending an event or class, calling or visiting for assistance or information, volunteering to run a program, facilitating an activity, working at the Food Pantry, organizing a special event, donating to our efforts, or serving on the Board or a committee. You all help to make the Center a vibrant place and the staff and I thank you. We hope to see you at the Center this month.

Community Preservation Act

OP-ED: Questions for Campaigners Knocking On Your Door This Election Season

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To paraphrase Sir Paul McCartney: Someone’s knocking at the door, somebody’s ringing the bell – do yourself a favor, ask them some hard questions, and don’t let the CPA in. Over the past few weeks CPA (Question #5) proponents have been knocking on our doors, dropping their expensive literature, and trying to persuade us to adopt an unwarranted 2% surcharge tax to fund yet to be determined projects. I’ve received several phone calls and emails questioning the “information” being disseminated. Sadly, the said information is deceptive, distorted, laden with half-truths, and even outright bold faced lies. So when CPA Proponents knock at your door ask them the following.

Police/Fire

Find Out When the Winter Parking Ban Starts for 2016-17

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Watertown Chief of Police Michael P. Lawn has announced the 2016-2017 Winter Parking Ban dates. Effective November 28, 2016 and continuing to April 1, 2017 the Winter Parking Ban will be in effect and strictly enforced. The regulation reads in part; “No vehicle may remain on any public way for more than one hour between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. all days of the week.” For residents who lack sufficient off-street parking, the Town allows for temporary parking at any municipal parking lot and other locations noted:

• The police station at 552 Main Street (visitor’s parking lot only)

• Any public school parking lot

• Marion Road parking lot at Victory Field

• O’Connell Park, (lot at the corner of Boylston Street and Mt Auburn Street)

Please note that these locations may be used free of charge, however vehicles may only use available spaces after 7 p.m. and must be moved/removed by 7 a.m. the following day. Vehicles must be removed from school property no later than 6 a.m. Violators may be towed. Please remember that parking your vehicle upon any sidewalk is prohibited.

Community Preservation Act

LETTER: Now is the Time to All Pitch in to Preserve, Improve Watertown

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To the Editor:

It’s time for Watertown to recognize that we need to do more to create affordable housing, educate our kids for the present and future, maintain and improve our public parks and other recreational spaces, and preserve the heritage of old Watertown that’s getting destroyed. The pressures on us from commercial development and economic forces much bigger than our town or state make it necessary for us all to pitch in to keep Watertown an attractive place for young and old, families and individuals. The Town administration has done an exceptional job at keeping our tax rate well below the state average, but that discipline has come at a major cost. As a community we haven’t had the wherewithal to deal with the changes washing over us. We can’t afford to dream about how cities and towns ought to be funded while ignoring the realities of how the system now works and how to make the most of it.

Community Preservation Act

LETTER: CPA Could Bring New Life to Old Buildings in Poor Shape

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In addition to some anti-CPA letters, the October 28 edition of the TAB also contained the glossy supplement Lens which included the article “Renovation and Innovation.” The piece showed how Bridgewater has restored and updated several historic buildings in ways that now save the town money, energy, and staff time as well as preserving examples of their history — a project partially funded by their CPA. Creative solutions like that are what we at the Historical Society of Watertown have suggested when talking about Orchard House and the Schick House (houses we do not own and over which we have no control). They represent the type of buildings that could be restored and converted to use as office space for some small business or organization. The Schick House could even become a bed and breakfast. Using CPA funds for that sort of project, besides preserving historic architecture, would create useful space for small businesses that generate taxes and provide jobs.

Elections

Yes on 5: Invest in Watertown Supports Passing Community Preservation Act

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Vote Yes on #5

1) It does great things for communities! 161 towns have already adopted the CPA and not a one has repealed it. It has proven successful in meeting community needs, including protecting what is special while attracting even more funding from additional sources year after year. Waltham has restored buildings and monuments. Belmont renovated its swimming pool.

Elections

No on 5: Concerned Homeowners, Watertown Strong Schools Oppose CPA

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Concerned Watertown Homeowners
Are you a homeowner, renter or business owner? If so, Question 5 will no doubt have a negative economic impact on you and your family. The CPA is a property tax surcharge to raise funds for open space, historic preservation and affordable housing. It’s also a permanent tax on a tax. This money will come from our cash strapped neighbors’ wallets.

Around Town

Old Family Photos Donated to Watertown Historical Society, Owners Sought

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The Historical Society invites you to the Fowle House at 28 Marshall Street on Saturday, November 12, 2016 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to discover whether they have old photos of your family or friends. Drtad and Harry Boyajian of Oxford Studios in Cambridge preserved the history of many Watertown families in classic style studio portraiture. When the brothers left the business, the proofs were given to the Boyajian family. There were photos of people from many towns in the greater Boston area. Harry’s son David has donated photos of Watertown residents to the Historical Society of Watertown.