Around Town

Eversource to Prune Trees Near Power Lines in Watertown in January

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Department of Public Works:

Eversource, and it’s subcontractor Tree Tech, is working citywide on tree pruning around power lines throughout January. This work is necessary to maintain safe operations of the power grid and reduce future outages. Eversource expects to have 2 tree crews in town initially, then eventually increase that number to 5 crews total over the course of January. Trees are often a great addition to the landscape of any community. However, trees are the leading causes of power outages in our service territory as they are for many utilities across the country.

Around Town

Watertown Group Holding Candlelight Vigil to Reflect on the Jan. 6 Capitol Attack

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The following piece was submitted by the Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment:

Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment (WCPJE) is joining social justice groups across the state and the country in a candlelight vigil to remember and reflect upon the violent, deadly attacks that took place in our nation’s capital on January 6, 2021. While evidence mounts that the insurrection was aided by some of our elected leaders, lies about the well-verified 2020 election continue to spread, with increasing threats against public officials. The vigil will take place in Watertown Square by the Delta from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Participants are asked to wear masks, practice social distancing and use cell phone flashlights or electric candles, not actual flames. In order to preserve our democracy, WCPJE also asks voters to contact their Senators and Representatives to demand they pass urgent legislation to counter attacks on our voting rights: The Freedom to Vote Act, the Protecting Our Democracy Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and Washington D.C. Admission Act (statehood for 700,000 Americans who have NO voting representation in Congress). Please join us on Thursday at 5:30 in Watertown Square to show we will not tolerate the sabotaging of our elections and our democracy.

Around Town

Christmas Tree Collection Schedule Announced by Watertown DPW

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Watertown residents can dispose of their Christmas trees through the month of January, the Department of Public Works announced. Trees will be collected on normal trash days through the end of January. The DPW said that all lights and ornaments should be removed, and they should not be put in a bag. “The city will only collect the tree itself,” the DPW announcement said. “Please be patient about the timing of when your tree is picked up.

Around Town

Watertown Dance Studio Offering Free Trial Classes in Winter Session

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The following information was provided by Move & Groove Watertown:

Move & Groove Watertown and Ballroom in Boston are so excited to be offering kids dance classes this winter! Thanks to a generous grant from the Watertown Cultural Council and in conjunction with our nonprofit, Dancing Feet, we are able to offer two free dance classes for kiddos: Dance With Me and Jazz & Ballet! These classes are a great way for kids to give dance a try in a safe and positive environment! If your kid loves to twirl around the house, these classes are perfect for them! 

Jazz & Ballet Combo: January 8th, 15th OR 22nd, 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m., ages 4-6 years, 45 minutes

Our Ballet/Jazz Combo class teaches children the basics of ballet and jazz in a fun and creative way. This class is great for first time dancers!

Around Town

See What’s Open & Closed on Christmas in Watertown

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Most government offices, retail stores and restaurants will be closed on Christmas Day, but a few will remain open for at least part of the day. Get some coffee, a bite to eat, or visit a pharmacy or convenience store. Government

State and Federal offices: Closed

City Hall: Closed

Library: Closed

Senior Center: Closed

Post Office: Closed

Mass. RMV: Closed

Retailers

Most will be closed, but can be open at owner’s discretion. Liquor Stores: Closed

Most CVS stores will be open on Christmas but hours may vary.

Around Town

LETTER: Make COVID Rules More Clear This Time Around

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The immediate spur for this letter is the board of health’s new order reinstating the indoor mask mandate. I have found it a big source of frustration this entire pandemic that it has often not been all that clear what the rules actually are. I appreciate that the town’s website currently has on the front page the new mask mandate, but how long will this stay up there? Given that a mask mandate is such a sharp difference from everyday life as of 2019, whatever rules we want everyone to follow we should be shouting from the proverbial rooftops. Why can’t we have a permanent feature on the homepage, as well as on any interactive town signage and posted all over town, something like the following:

The “Last Update” part is important, because I found it just as frustrating to discover when requirements were removed as to confirm when they were still in place.

Around Town

City Surveying Residents About Qualifications, Characteristics Desired in Next City Manager

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The process to hire the next City Manager for Watertown has begun, and residents can weigh in on what they think the most important qualifications and characteristics for the next chief executive of the City to have. They survey is being conducted online, and the City sent out the following message:

“Watertown residents, please participate in this citizen survey which is designed to help identify the desired experience and attributes of Watertown’s next City Manager. Your opinions will assist our recruitment consultant and the City Manager Screening Committee as they identify candidates and work to narrow the field to a small group of finalists to submit to the City Council.” The survey has five questions about the next City Manager:

Which professional qualifications are most importantWhich personal characteristics are most importantWhat challenges and opportunities are most critical for the City Manager to be able to addressThe most important thing a new City Manager should know about Watertown, andWhat other information the City Manager Search Committee should know in the search for a new City Manager

Access the public input survey by clicking here.