Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/aroundtown/page/23/)
The Watertown Recreation fall and winter programs are now open for registration. See details in the announcement from the Recreation Department below. Fall & Winter Recreation registration is now open on our amazing new registration portal from Rec Technologies. Follow the instructions below to register today! The wait is over — our new registration system with Rec Technologies is officially LIVE!
Nigol Bezjian, center, filming in NYC, 1981. (Photo by Berg Zobian)
The following announcement was provided by Project Save:
Project Save Photographic Archive, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving the global Armenian experience through photography, has secured $500,000 in new financial gifts along with significant archival donations, marking major milestones for the organization’s 50th anniversary. “These transformational investments in Project Save’s future affirm the urgency and impact of our mission,” said Executive Director Arto Vaun. “They help ensure the continued preservation of Armenian social history and culture for generations to come.”
An anonymous donor has pledged $400,000 to Project Save. In addition, New York-based philanthropist Sabine Hrechdakian has made a $50,000 gift.
The Watertown Police and Recreation departments will host a family event with activities, music, food, followed by a movie on Tuesday, Aug. 5. National Night Out will take place on Aug. 5 from 5-8 p.m. at the park behind the Police Station 552 Main St., said Watertown Police Lt. Kevin McManus. “The Recreation Department has done a movie night with us, hosted out back (behind the station),” McManus said.
The rodent problem in Watertown has been exacerbated by trash left on the street during the trash strike. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
The Board of Health heard about the impact the trash strike is having on Watertown’s rodent problem during its July meeting. The board also discussed proposed changes to the City’s tobacco regulations, and discussed a reported violation at a business in town. Rodents
During the July 16 meeting, Watertown Public Health Director Abbey Myers provided updates on issues that have come before the Board of Health. The “biggest topic” brought up was the ongoing, multi-week trash strike which has overwhelmed sanitary services in Watertown, and has now led to a steadily rising rodent problem.
Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 Dancing with the Watertown Stars. Presented by the Rotary Club of Watertown, the event will be hosted by State Sen. Will Brownsberger. This year’s event will be held Friday, Sept. 12 at the Mosesian Center for the Arts with a reception at 6 p.m. and the competition beginning at 7:15 p.m.
This year’s dancers are Jess Donato, Ed Megerdichian, Ryan Seward, Cindy St. Clair, Diane DiMascio Cinar, Cassidy Pirozzi, Harrison Ford, Jennifer Chiodo, Rob Scudder, and Cookie Ramos.
Planned work on the Mt. Auburn Street Project will impact the East End of town during the week of July 28, including sidewalk excavation and drainage work. See the announcement from the City of Watertown below. Sidewalk Excavation Continues
Excavation of the westbound sidewalk on Mount Auburn Street between Belmont Street and Keenan Street will continue Monday, July 28, 2025 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learn about travel and parking impacts below. Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts
The westbound sidewalk will be closed for excavation starting Monday, July 28, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. A bypass sidewalk on the westbound side will be opened up while this work is being completed.Traffic on Mount Auburn Street will be narrowed and you can expect lane shifts, however traffic will be maintained in both directions. Entrances to driveways and parking lots will be maintained.
State Rep. John Lawn
Watertown State Rep. John Lawn said he is planning to seek re-election the same week that he changed his plea in the driving under the influence of alcohol case, admitting in a Boston courtroom to sufficient facts on the charges. On July 19, during the St. Mary of Carmen Society’s 90th Italian-American Festival in Nonantum, Lawn said “I’m going to run again,” according to a report in the Fig City News. He represents the 10th Middlesex District, which includes parts of Watertown, Newton, and Waltham. Lawn presented a citation from the State Legislature during the festival in Newton, and said he was uplifted by the support he received from the attendees at the event, the report said.
While trash and recycling collections have resumed during the strike, Watertown residents have not had yard waste pickup in about a month. The City of Watertown has opened a drop off site at 148 Waltham St. for trash and recycling, but yard waste cannot be left there. Tyler Cote, the City’s Community Engagement Specialist, confirmed that yard waste collection was cancelled during the week of July 21-25. The City has contacted Republic about this part of the waste collection service.