Around Town

Share Your Opinions About Watertown Square in City’s Survey

By |

The City of Watertown has released a survey about Watertown Square for residents and people working and doing business in town. Watertown recently launched the planning effort to redesign Watertown Square and beyond, including the roadways, transportation, the pedestrian experience, the business districts, open space and recreation, arts and culture, and the environment. City officials and the consultants working on the redesign want to know about what people think about the present and future of Watertown Square. “Your responses to this survey will help define the focus and key issues for the planning process,” the survey reads. Take the survey by clicking here.

Around Town

Watertown Students Raise Money to Support the Armenian Relief Society

By |

The Armenian flag flies outside St. Stephens Armenian Apostolic Church located on Artsakh Street in East Watertown. (Courtesy of St. Stephen’s Church)

Watertown High School’s Armenian Club raised more than $1,100 to donate to the Armenian Relief Society in the wake of the ongoing conflict in Artsakh. The Armenian Weekly reported that the students held a bake sale recently to raise money to help people impact in the region, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh, which has displaced over 100,000 Armenians from the region.

Around Town

OBIT: Lillian O’Bannon, 95, Raised in Watertown, Worked as Bank Switchboard Operator

By |

Lillian “Lil” O’Bannon

Lillian “Lil” O’Bannon, unexpectedly passed away on October 19, 2023 at the age 95 after a sudden illness. She was born January 3, 1928 and was raised in Watertown. In the early 70’s she moved to Malden to be closer to her daughter and went to work for Century Bank in Medford as their Switchboard Operator.  

Over her 20+ year career at the bank she became highly regarded and received awards for her exemplary service. She was always very independent and carried herself with grace, leaving a special impression on many people she came in contact with over the years.

Around Town

Watertown Youth Coalition Revealing Results of Youth Risk Behavior Survey

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Youth Coalition:

On Wednesday, November 8th at 6 PM, Watertown Youth Coalition staff and Peer Leaders, along with the school department and other community members & stakeholders, are hosting a community forum to review Watertown’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey results. Through discussions and activities run by the Peer Leaders, we will strategize programs on how to best-support Watertown’s youth moving forward. Come engage with your community and hear directly from Watertown’s young people about their experiences with the survey and its results! The event will be held at J. R. Lowell Elementary School (175 Orchard Street), we will end the night with a raffle consisting of 3 gift cards worth $25 each! Light refreshments starting at 5:30. Click Here to RSVP 

Watertown Youth Coalition is also offering childcare for the event! Click Here for Childcare ”

Around Town

LETTER: Resident Endorses Two School Committee Candidates

By |

Dear friends and members of the Watertown community,

The upcoming municipal election on November 7 presents a unique opportunity at this moment in Watertown’s history to meet the complex and overlapping challenges that face us, within and far beyond Watertown’s neighborhoods, institutions, and city limits. Fortunately, we’ve a dedicated, experienced, and talented crop of candidates running, particularly in the contested School Committee race. As a single female childless Baby Boomer, I cannot claim to know the specific concerns and claims parents have when entrusting their children to the Watertown Public Schools, especially in these complex times. I leave that to the many others who’ve worked long and hard on behalf not only of their own families but also others. What I can say is that I do know that a vote for the School Committee is an investment in our collective just and prosperous future — not just for Watertown but our nation and world.

Around Town

Watertown School Committee Candidates Q&As

By |

The five candidates running for Watertown School Committee responded to a series of questions from Watertown News. Two incumbents seek re-election, and three candidates seeking a seat for the first time. Three four-year seats on the School Committee are up for re-election this year in the Nov. 7, 2023 Watertown Municipal Election. Both David Stokes and Kendra Foley seek another term on the School Committee, but fellow incumbent Lindsay Mosca announced in June that she will not be running in 2023.

Around Town

Watertown Winter Parking Ban Dates Announced

By |

Watertown Chief of Police Thomas F. Rocca has announced the 2023-2024 Winter Parking Ban dates. Effective Monday, November 27, 2023 and continuing to Monday, April 1, 2024 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 1AM and 6AM all days of the week”. For residents who lack sufficient off-street parking, the City allows for temporary parking at any municipal parking lot and other locations noted:

Municipal parking lot Behind CVS at 27 Main Street – Use metered spaces only. Municipal parking lot Behind the Public Library – 123 Main Street

Municipal parking lot Behind CVS at 655 Mt.

Around Town

Find Out How to Compost Your Pumpkins

By |

The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

Nearly 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins end up in landfills each year, so we need your help diverting them. 

Pumpkins should go in compost or in yard waste collection. For curbside compost bins: please place pumpkin on top of your bin. For yard waste: put pumpkin in yard waste bin or lawn bag. Please no candles or paint. New community pumpkin drop-off bins will be available outside the Department of Public Works (DPW) office building, 124 Orchard St., Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. from Oct.