Government

Residents Have Two Chances to Meet With State Rep. Hecht in July

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Come meet with State Rep. Jonathan Hecht and talk to him about issues that concern you. Rep. Hecht will be holding office hours twice in Watertown in July. Constituents can meet with Representative Hecht from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Watertown Town Hall (third floor hallway) on July 19, and from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library on the July 27 in the Raya Stern Meeting Room. Anyone unable to attend these office hours can call Representative Hecht at  617-722-2140 to schedule an appointment at another time.

Letters

LETTER: Commentary on Student Placement Decision Process

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The Watertown Strong Schools parent group wrote up this summary of the recent School Committee Policy Subcommittee meeting, and added commentary at the end. Unofficial Minutes: Meeting of the Policy Subcommittee on 07/06/2016 – Key Points and Commentary

Note: These are NOT official minutes. Commentary can be found at the bottom of the minutes. Written by: David Stokes

Committee members: Dr. Guido Guidotti, Chair; Liz Yusem; Eileen Hsu-Balzer; Dr. Jean Fitzgerald, Superintendent. Audience members: Donna Ruseckas, Director of Wellness and Extended Services; John Portz, School Committee Chairperson; Lisa Feltner, Town Councilor; David Stokes, WSS; Stephanie Venizelos, Live Well Watertown and WPS Wellness Committee; Laurie McManus, former School Committee member; Charlie Breitrose, Watertown (MA) News; and one other community member.

Charity

Spots Available in the Watertown Boys & Girls Club’s Golf Tournament

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The 39th Annual Stephen P. Mugar Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit the Watertown Boys & Girls Club will be held Monday, Aug. 8, 2016 at Oakley Country Club, and there are still spots available. Tee time for the tourney is 12:30 p.m. and the fee for a foursome is $800 or $210 per individual golfer. The fee includes a golf cart, golfer’s gift, lunch, snacks, entry to Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive, and All Hole-in-One contests, evening dinner and auction. The event is a Modified Scramble (“Bramble”) format

Attire is collared shirts, soft spikes only and no jeans.

Charity

Relay for Life Gets Big Boost from the Rotary Club of Watertown

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The local Relay for Life got a big boost from the Rotary Club of Watertown, which raised nearly $5,000, including one member who raised more than $1,000 on her own. The Rotary Club sent out the following announcement:

The Rotary Club of Watertown is proud to have participated in the Relay For Life of Watertown Newton and Waltham on Saturday, June 11, 2016. The club was able to raise a total of $4,790.96 for this wonderful cause. The amount of money raised was enough to make the Rotary Club of Watertown the third highest team in raised funds. Our club’s Secretary, Debbie Boyajian earned the fifth spot among 203 participants and raised $1,013!

Cops & Rec

2 Family Movie Nights Being Hosted by Watertown Police, Rec Departments

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Summer Family Movie Nights are back at the Watertown Police Station. The events, which are presented by the Watertown Police and Recreation departments, feature other activities and food. Here are the details:

Watertown Elementary students can bring your friends and family for a night of fun and excitement during the movies hosted by the Watertown Police and Recreation Departments on Friday, July 15 when the movie will be Zootopia , and Friday, Aug. 19 from 6:30-10 p.m. (movie TBA). The festivities will be held outside in the park at 552 Main St., behind the police statio.

Development

See the Latest Documents Submitted for the Athenahealth Project

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Watertown’s Department of Community Development and Planning released the following links to documents relating to the major renovation of the Arsenal on the Charles by owner Athenahealth. The company will present its plan to the Planning Board on Wednesday, July 13, 2016. Here is the announcement:

Athenahealth has submitted updated documents for the Campus Master Plan for the Arsenal on the Charles.  A staff report and supporting documents have also been finalized and uploaded. The new documents include:

Staff Report: http://www.watertown-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19582
Design Peer Review:  http://www.watertown-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19579
Transportation Peer Review: http://www.watertown-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19580
Comments received as of June 9 2016: http://www.watertown-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19581
Updated Special Permit Plans and Documents
Petitioner’s Memo on updates: http://www.watertown-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19583
Updates Site Plan Review Narrative: http://www.watertown-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19584
Updated Site Plans: http://www.watertown-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19585
Transportation Improvements Proposed: http://www.watertown-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19586
Final Draft Transportation Demand Management Program: http://www.watertown-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19587

You can also look at the entire list of documents by clicking the link to the project folder.  Please be aware that some of the files are very large and can take a long time to open so please be patient.

Around Town

Library Has Tons of Fun This Summer, Including Sports, Reading and a 5K

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The Watertown Free Public Library is full of fun activities this summer. Here are just a few of the activities:

Summer Sports Sampler

Saturdays starting July 16

The Watertown Free Public Library presents a series of free opportunities to be active this summer! Click on the links below to learn more and register. You may also choose to register at the Reference desk or by calling 617-972-6436. Martial Arts at MacDonald Martial Arts

Rock Climbing at Central Rock Gym

Kayaking at Charles River Canoe and Kayak

Pure Barre at Pure Barre Newton

Yoga at Artemis Yoga

Book it and Run 5K! Saturday Sept.

Around Town

Head to Victory Field for Fourth of July Festivities

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Victory Field is the place for the Fourth of July Celebration hosted by the Watertown Recreation Department.  

The celebration will be held Monday, July 4, 2016 at Victory Field on Orchard Street, and it features games, water slides, basketball and whiffleball. All-day activities include face painting, arts & crafts and waterslides. Hot dogs, burgers and refreshments will be served free of charge. Please park in the Department of Public Works lot at 124 Orchard St. Schedule of Events
10-10:50 a.m.: Soccer Game: (ages 7 and under)

Obstacle Course: (ages 8-10)

Baseball Game Bring Your Glove: (ages 11 and older)

Wet and Wild Waterslide: (all ages)

11 am-noon: Obstacle Course:(Ages 7 and under)

Dodgeball: (ages 8-10)

Softball Game Bring Your Glove: (ages 11 and older)

Wet and Wild Waterslide: (all ages)

12:30-1:30 p.m.: Parachute Game (ages 7 and under)

Obstacle Course: (ages 8-10)

Three-on-Three Basketball: (Ages 11 and older)

Wet and Wild Waterslide: (all ages)

1:30-2 p.m.: Water Balloon Toss: (all ages)

Group Games: (all ages)

Wiffleball Home Run Derby: (all ages)

Wet and Wild Waterslide: (all ages)
Cops & Rec Family Movie Nights
Watertown Elementary students can bring your friends and family for a night of fun and excitement during the movies hosted by the Watertown Police and Recreation Departments on Friday, July 15, and Friday, Aug.