OBIT: Pastorah O’Connor, Worked at Perkins School for the Blind

Pastorah O’Connor

Pastorah Ina O’Connor died peacefully on February 26, 2023. Pat was born on July 13, 1931 inLeominster, the daughter of Francis “Ben” Bates and Evelyn (MacMillian) Bates. She graduated from Leominster High School in 1949 and attended Worcester School of Business Science where she graduated in 1951. She worked for General Electric in Fitchburg, St. Williams Church in Wilmington, Vermont, Cathedral of Immaculate Conception and the Catholic Diocese in Burlington, Vermont.

OP-ED: Let the Charles River Run Free

Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Dam near Watertown Square slows the flow of the Charles River. A group is advocating removing the dam. Submitted by the Charles River Watershed Association

A case for reimagining our relationship with the Charles River. For over 400 years, the Charles River has been altered, controlled, and dammed to bend to the will of industry and profit. The river we know today is not free – but instead, a river radically changed by the long history of human intervention.

Tour a Watertown Home that Dates Back to 1772 with the Historical Society

Charlie BreitroseThe Edmund Fowle House during the re-enactment of the reading of the Declaration of Independence which took place in 1776. Tour one of Watertown’s oldest homes during the March Historical Society of Watertown event. The Historical Society of Watertown will be giving its March Sunday tours at the Edmund Fowle House, 28 Marshall Street, Watertown, MA  02472, on the last Sunday of the month  which is March 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. with the last tour at 3:15 p.m.  Admission:  $5 for adults; $2 for students and seniors

Dating back to 1772, the Fowle House was the locations for some historic events. In 1775 it became the seat of government for the Provincial Congress, and was the location of the first treaty signing after the United States gained Independence. Now the Fowle House is the headquarters of the Historical society.

Come Tell the City What You Would Like Future Development in Watertown to Look Like

Thursday night, residents, business owners, and others have the chance to let City officials know what they would like Watertown look like in the future. The new draft of the Comprehensive Plan, along with plans for the City’a open space and recreation assets, will be discussed at an open house where people can leave their input. The open house will be held on Thursday, March 9 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Watertown Savings Bank in the Watertown Library, 123 Main St. To RSVP click here. See the plans and more information about the Comprehensive Plan and Open Space & Recreation Plan at the website: https://engagestantec.mysocialpinpoint.com/watertown-plan

Comprehensive Plan

The Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the City Council in 2015.

Watertown Non-Profit Matches $100,000 Challenge Grant for Adult Disability Services

Jay Lupica presents a check to MAB Community Services for the Maxo Joseph Excellence in Direct Care Awards. The following information was provided by MAB Community Services:

MAB Community Services, a leading social service agency supporting over 1,500 individuals with visual impairment, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and acquired brain injuries across Massachusetts, celebrated Wednesday matching a $100,000 challenge grant to fund the continuation of the Maxo Joseph Excellence in Direct Care Awards. Established by Jay Lupica in his position as the trustee of the Patricia W. and Alfred E. Farah Charitable Trust, and in concert with MAB, the Maxo Joseph Excellence in Direct Care Awards recognize dedicated and skilled direct care workers at MAB’s Adult Disability Services group homes. The awards themselves honor Maxo Joseph, a committed caregiver who served at MAB for more than 19 years before passing away from complications after contracting COVID-19. Lupica pledged to match up to $100,000 in donations to the Maxo Joseph Awards to reach a total of $200,000 in funds.

Real Estate Networking Event Hosted by Charles River Chamber

The Charles River Regional Chamber will host a networking event in Watertown for real estate professionals. The Chamber sent out the following information:

Join the Chamber’s Real Estate Committee for a night of in-person networking at Compass Kitchen’s showroom in Watertown. Meet local Investors, residential realtors, commercial brokers, property managers, mortgage brokers, and legal and financial services professionals. Real Estate Networking Event

WHEN: Thurs. March 16, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Compass Kitchen, 110 Arlington St., Watertown

COST: Free for members, $25 for nonmembers

RSVP Here

City Seeks Input on Watertown’s Primary Planning Document at Open House

Residents can give input on the primary planning document that will shape development in Watertown for years to come. An open house will be held on March 9 about the revised Watertown Comprehensive Plan. The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement.:

Please join us on March 9, 2023 to provide your comments on the WATERTOWN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. After public comments, the revised draft will go to the City Council for approval. The OPEN HOUSE will be on March 9, 2023 from 6:30 to 8 PM at the Watertown Free Public Library, at 123 Main Street, in the Watertown Savings Bank Room.