See How Labor Day Impacts Watertown City Facilities & Services

Watertown LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. Multiple City-run facilities in Watertown will be closed on Monday for Labor Day, and the holiday will impact trash and recycling pick-up. The City of Watertown announced:

Watertown City Hall and Senior Center are closed in observance Labor Day, on Monday, September 4, 2023. Please note: Trash and recycling pickup is delayed one day. The schedule is Tuesday, September 5 – Saturday, September 9, 2023.

Our History: Mercy Otis Warren, “The Muse of the Revolution”

Copy of John Singleton Copley’s portrait of Mercy Otis Warren that hangs in the Edmund Fowle House (Courtesy of Joyce Kelly)

The following story is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Historical Society board member Mary Spiers who served as the Recording and Corresponding Secretary, and retired from the board last month but is still a volunteer. She wrote this article for our April 2014 newsletter, “The Town Crier”.)

I have to credit the blizzard of February, 2013 for the inspiration to pick up a copy of Snow-Bound by John Greenleaf Whittier and thereby find this nugget of historical gold on Mercy Otis Warren. I also utilized the library at the Massachusetts Historical Society to research Mercy’s poems.

Mercy Otis Warren born in 1728, who we think of today as “the Conscience of the American Revolution” and a “Founding Mother,” is the graceful lady in the blue dress in the John Singleton Copley iconic portrait of her that hangs in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. A copy hangs on the walls of the Edmund Fowle House, now home to the Historical Society of Watertown.

Watertown Resident Hopes to Get A Second Wish to Visit Disney

Watertown’s Brian Manning hopes to get A Second Wish. When Watertown resident Brian Manning first went to Disney World he faced a seizure that left him hospitalized. Years later he is hoping to make his return with help from the organization A Second Wish By Demetrius. A Second Wish By Demetrius is dedicated to impacting the lives of children ages 6 to 18 with life threatening illnesses by helping them grant a wish of their choices. Previous wishes granted have ranged from traveling to Disney World to meeting various professional athletes and celebrities.

Watertown-Based ZANGÉR Boston Youth Chorale Seeks New Singers

The ZANGÉR Boston Youth Chorale performed at the ACEC in Watertown in May. (Courtesy of Zanger). The following announcement was provided by the ZANGÉR Boston Youth Chorale:

ZANGÉR Boston Youth Chorale announces its rehearsal schedule for the 2023-2024 season. Chorus members are coming together after the summer vacation to begin preparations for Christmas Concerts, as well as additional programs and appearances to be announced shortly. ZANGÉR Chorale was founded in February 2023 by Armenian Culture Connection, under the direction of Doctor of Music, Maestro Artur Veranian, internationally acclaimed choral conductorand instructor.

Developers of Building That Housed Trampoline Park Hosting Community Meeting

A rendering of the building at 10-30 Manley Way proposed to be redeveloped into lab/R&D/non-nuisance manufacturing space. (The Seyon Group)

The developers of 10-30 Manley Way, off Pleasant Street, announced a community meeting about plans to redevelop the former trampoline park into space for lab/R&D/non-nuisance manufacturing. The following announcement came from The Seyon Group:

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Petitioner will be holding a Public Information Meeting related to the 10-30 Manley Way Redevelopment Project on September 5, 2023. PROJECT DESCRIPTION and LOCATION:

The project proposal entails the redevelopment and adaptive reuse of an existing vacant, 95,000 SF light industrial building. The existing building was previously part of the Raytheon campus, then converted to a warehouse for multiple retailers and most recently housed a trampoline park and gymnastics school, along with a Saks 5th Avenue warehouse.

MassDOT: Travel Tips for Labor Day Weekend Travelers

The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), MBTA, and Massport are advising Labor Day Holiday travelers to make informed decisions and plan ahead as Labor Day Weekend is traditionally a popular time for travel and everyone should consider taking trips at off-peak hours and considering using public transportation if possible to reach destinations.  

“We encourage members of the public to use MassDOT’s resources before planning travel for the Labor Day Weekend,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “By planning ahead, you can select the best travel times, avoid congestion, and have a safer and more efficient trip.”     

As Labor Day Weekend traditionally sees more vehicles than normal using roadways, MassDOT is taking several steps to ensure reliable travel, including:   

• Shutting down scheduled, non-emergency construction outside of fixed work zones for the Labor Day travel period effective at 5 a.m., Friday, Sept. 1. Scheduled road work will then resume at the start of normal business hours on Tuesday, Sept. 5.   

• Deploying the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy earlier than usual in the afternoons – opening at 2 p.m., on Thursday, Aug. 31, and opening at 1 p.m., on Friday, Sept. 1.