Elections

Early Voting Available for First Time, Find Out How & About the Registration Deadline

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Town Clerk John E. Flynn and the Watertown Election Commission are pleased to announce that all registered voters will be able to vote before Election Day for the first time ever in Massachusetts. Early voting will begin on Oct. 24 and continue through Nov. 4, 2016. Prior to the enactment of this new law, the only way a registered voter was allowed to vote prior to Election Day was through absentee voting.

Around Town

Still Time to Register for the Annual Watertown Boys & Girls Club 5K

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There is less than a month until the Watertown Boys & Girls Club 13th Annual 5K Road Race! The race will take place on Sunday, November 6 at 10 a.m. starting at 25 Whites Avenue in Watertown. There will be a 1K Fun Run, refreshments, raffles, and more! Don’t miss this fun family event. Register before October 31 and get the pre-registration price of $25/runner!

Around Town

Watertown Cultural Council Has Grants for Community-Oriented Projects

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Got an event, activity, or community festival that needs funding? The Watertown Cultural Council (WCC) is preparing to allocate grants for 2016 and is looking for proposals for community-oriented projects in the arts, humanities, and science. Applications are due Oct. 17, 2016. Any organization, school, individual, or group may apply for a WCC grant. These grants support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Watertown.

Around Town

Refugees, Immigrants Discuss Their Experiences at Local Forum

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On Sunday, Oct. 2, New Roads Social Justice Ministry presented a Forum entitled “Refugees and Immigrants: Their Rights – Our Responsibilities.”  Moderated by Attorney Christopher Lavery of the Irish International Immigrant Center. The gathering at St. Joseph’s Church in Belmont included a diverse group of speakers, including immigrants from Syria, Congo, Burma, El Salvador and Haiti, who shared harrowing tales of seeking refuge. Keynote speakers included Watertown resident Gabriel Camacho, who is Coordinator of Immigration Programs for the American Friends Service Committee.

Around Town

Find Out About How to Take Part in Limited Time Solar Program

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Find out about getting solar for you home at an upcoming meeting, announced Neighborhood Solar. An informational meeting for the time-limited solar offer for the towns of Watertown, Arlington, Cambridge, Belmont, and Somerville, endorsed by the Watertown Environmental and Energy Efficiency Committee, Sustainable Arlington, and Green Cambridge will be held at the Arlington Library Community Room, Robbins Public Library, 700 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA, on Oct. 25, 2016 at 7 p.m.

This solar initiative is designed to be local, fair, and transparent. Details are available at neighborhoodsolar.org. The program is open to all residents, businesses, and non-profits. Any questions or concerns about participation, please contact Jocelyn Tager at info@neighborhoodsolar.org to determine eligibility.

Elections

LETTER: Yes on 5 Committee Says CPA Won’t Harm School Funding

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The Community Preservation Act (CPA) does not compete with school funding. To the contrary, it will strengthen our schools and the education we offer Watertown’s children.  
Imagine an “outdoor classroom” of restored open space and buildings where teachers and students study how Watertown was settled, using historic maps and artifacts that bring learning alive. All of this would qualify for CPA funding and for matching state funds and grants that Watertown would otherwise be unable to get. And affordable housing programs funded by the CPA would make it possible for our teachers to live in Watertown and spend more time with students instead of long hours commuting.

Elections

LETTER: Resident Urges Watertown to Follow Other Towns and Adopt the CPA

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We all have friends in neighboring communities. Most likely these people live in towns that have already passed the Community Preservation Act (CPA). Since 2000, 161 cities and towns in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have adopted the CPA. In our region, Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Lexington, Lincoln, Newton, Somervile, Waltham and Weston benefit from matching State funds for historic preservation, open space, including recreation, and affordable housing. The good people in Watertown deserve to benefit from the Act as well, especially as we have been paying into the trust fund with the State for all these years without receiving benefits.