Affordable Housing

LETTER: Why Question 5 Offers Hope for Those Who Need It Most

By |

To the Editor:

On Nov. 8, Watertown voters will have a chance to approve the Community Preservation Act, which would provide funding for three kinds of projects in town: historic preservation, expanding and improving open space and recreational facilities, and providing affordable housing. These projects would benefit ALL residents of the community, and could be proposed by anyone. We strongly support approval of the CPA, both because we believe that it will enhance the quality of life in our town in many substantive ways, and also for a more personal reason: we have close friends who are homeless. They are a family of seven.

Elections

LETTER: Town Councilor Explains His Position on the CPA Ballot Question

By |

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I’m writing you today to share why I have chosen to vote YES on Watertown’s Question 5 -the Community Preservation Act (CPA). I have changed my mind a couple of times on this one because people that I respect have expressed a lot of good concerns on the contrary. I thought about those concerns a lot but I always come back to the same place when I do and it really dawned on me when I recently attended the 2nd annual candlelight vigil for those lost to the substance use disorder epidemic in Watertown. A great young leader in Watertown rose to speak at the end of the event and made some gracious remarks to the attendees that ended with him professing his love for our town and referring to it as “4 square miles of pure heaven.” Naturally, the event provoked feelings about a lot of things but this comment really inspired me to remember why it is that I do the work I do for Watertown. In weeks since, I’ve looked across the school-yards, playing-fields and the Council chambers and realized that even though we don’t always all agree on every issue, we all really do love this town.

Government

Seniors Can Reduce Their Tax Bill Through Town’s Work-Off Program

By |

The Town is offering the property tax work-off program to Watertown senior homeowners again this year, the Senior Center announced. This program allows up to ten seniors (age 60 and older) a $750 deduction from their property tax bill in exchange for 68 hours of work for a Town department. Participants should be retired and must own and occupy the property for which the taxes are deducted. In addition, the applicant’s skills must match those needed by the participating Town departments. Past projects have included: computer data entry, answering phones, and projects at the Library, Recreation or Public Health Departments, or at the Senior Center.

Government

Tot Lots at Victory Field, Filippello Park to be Closed for Renovations

By |

The renovation of the tot lots at the Victory Complex and Filippello Park (Arlington) will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 26 and could last for several weeks until mid November, announced Recreation Director Peter Centola. Please be advised these tot lots will be closed during this time frame and it is critical that no one enters the site during the renovation process. Please contact the recreation department at 617-972-6494 or recreation@watertown-ma.gov if you have questions, concerns and comments in regards to these renovation projects.

Development

LETTER: Neighbors Say Athenahealth ‘Can Do Better’ With Construction, Parking, Lights

By |

Dear Athena,

Have to say, we are wondering when Athenahealth is going to live up to their last few years of lip service about being good neighbors and communicating with the town. Since garage construction was recently approved, right now would seem to be a good time to start sending notices in the mail, opening up a webpage, and sharing contact info for community concerns about construction issues. Searching through all related documents and emails, we could find only one person to contact. Apologies, Mark Blair for sending our first email only to you, but we had no other contact information. Please forward to other appropriate contacts at Athena.

Around Town

Hear About Center Housing Asylum Seekers at World in Watertown Meeting

By |

At the upcoming World in Watertown meeting, Nov. 3, the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, will be at the top of the agenda, the World in Watertown Group announced. Last summer Susan Klaw spent a week at the center, operated by the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) for the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), to house families of asylum seekers. World in Watertown meets at First Parish of Watertown, 35 Church St. Check-in starts at 7:15 p.m. The business meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, call 617-926-7814.

Around Town

Two Films on Syrian Refugees Draw Dozens in Watertown

By |

On two successive October Sundays, Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group presented 2 film events that brought home the personal side of the Syrian refugee crisis. The first film, Salam Neighbor, was released in 2016, and reveals life in the enormous Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, to which tens of thousands of Syrians have been fleeing since 2012 when it first opened. This film was produced by 2 American filmmakers who received permission to live and film at Zaatari for one month. Following the film, guest speaker Dr. Omar Salem of the Karam Foundation (www.karamfoundation.org) led an animated and informative discussion. Dr. Salem has led numerous missions to Syrian refugee camps, organizing free dental and medical care for children.