Around Town

Watertown Rotary Club Growing, Adding New Initiatives

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown Rotary President Kim Severino pins new member Christian Dallas at a ceremony on March 28. Coming out of the pandemic, the Rotary Club of Watertown struggled with attendance at its weekly lunch meetings and events, but recently, the club’s membership has started growing. On March 28, three new members were inducted as Rotary Club members in a ceremony held at Demos Watertown: Diane DiMascio Cinar of CK Realty Group, Christian Dallas of Dallas Insurance, and Massimo Zeppa of Keller Williams Realty. All three of the new members said that Rotary’s service mission attracted them. “I am so happy to be a Rotary member,” said DiMascio Cinar.

Around Town

Support Building for Removing Watertown Dam from Charles River

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Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Dam near Watertown Square slows the flow of the Charles River. A group is advocating removing the dam. The group pushing to have the Watertown Dam removed from the Charles River received a major grant, and the effort got the support of the Charles River Chamber of Commerce. The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) has appealed to the Watertown City Council to support removing the dam located just west of the Galen Street Bridge in Watertown Square. The decision will be made at the state level, because it falls under the control of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

Around Town

Residents Wanted for Boards That Deal With Traffic, Seniors, Trash/Recycling & Affordable Housing

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The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown is seeking Residents to serve on the Traffic Commission, Council on Aging, Cultural Council, Solid Waste and Recycling Advisory Committee, and Affordable Housing Trust

City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the following City Boards, Commissions and Committees in accordance with Ordinance # 2007-46, an Ordinance on the Timing and Process of Appointments to City Boards, Commissions and Committees. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or other information concerning background or experience by email to citymgr@watertown-ma.gov or City Manager’s Office, 149 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472. Traffic Commission

Description: The duties and responsibilities of the Traffic Commission shall include: study the traffic situation in the City and shall suggest and advise the City Manager in ways and means to regulate traffic in the City and recommend changes and amendments to the Traffic Rules and Orders of the City with a view towards reducing accidents and relieving traffic congestion. The Traffic Commission meets the last Wednesday of each month. One current member holding the position wishes to serve another term.

Around Town

Watertown Recycling Event a “Huge Success,” People Lined the Street to Participate

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The Public Works Recycling Event on March 25 drew so many people that cars were backed up down Waltham Street with residents waiting to dispose of a variety of items, and even grab some free soil. City Council President Mark Sideris said he was impressed by how much interest the event drew. “What a successful recycling event we had. You couldn’t get down Waltham Street — they were waiting in line!” Siders said during a recent Council meeting.

Around Town

City Departments Closing Early for Good Friday, Closed on Easter

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Watertown City Hall

The City of Watertown announced that City Hall and the Senior Center will be closing early on April 7 for Good Friday. On Sunday, the Watertown Free Public Library will be closed for Easter. The City’s announcement said: Please be aware that in observance of Good Friday, Watertown City Hall and Senior Center are closing at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 7, 2023.

Around Town

Watertown Author to Talk About His Book on a Woman Who Helped Win WW2 & Shape America

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Watertown author Christopher Gorham will appear at the Watertown Library to discuss his book about a woman who was influential in the New Deal, the Cold War and beyond. Gorham will be at the Library, 123 Main St., on Saturday, April 8, from 2:30-4 p.m. in the Watertown Savings Bank Room. The event is free and open to the public. The Watertown Library provided the following information:

The Confidante: the Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America tells the story of Anna Marie Rosenberg, whose influence on American history, from the New Deal to the Cold War and beyond, has never before been told. Her life ran parallel to the front lines of history — and her story, though forgotten for too long, is extraordinary, inspiring, and uniquely American.

Around Town

Bagel Shop & Deli Expected to Open in Former Porcini’s Location

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The former Porcini’s spot could be occupied by a new restaurant run by the owners of Wicked Bagel. The owners of bagel store with locations in Lexington and Woburn have been linked to the former Porcini’s restaurant location on School Street. A post on Boston Restaurant Talk reports that the owners of Wicked Bagel will be opening a restaurant in Watertown, and it is said to be in the space that had been the Italian restaurant for more than two decades. Wicked Bagel has a variety of bagel sandwiches, coffee and other drinks on the menu on its website. According to Boston Restaurant Talk, the Watertown location would serve brunch, would have a liquor license, and would use the back patio.

Around Town

What Do You Remember About Watertown’s Most Historic Event of Recent Times

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An evidence photo of Dave Henneberry’s boat parked on Franklin Street, where Marathon Bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was found. The Boston Marathon bombings rocked the region 10 years ago this month, and a few days later the situation really got personal for Watertown residents when police tracked down the bombers, battled in the streets of the East End, and then spent the next day searching for the suspect who fled the scene. Watertown News is collecting people’s memories, photos and videos from that time from people who lived here at the time, people who now live here and remember watching the coverage, and other related memories. Some have already written in, recalled getting in touch with her mother, who was awakened by gunshots and explosions. A Westside resident remembers how quiet the day of the search was, as she sat on her porch, while her friend in East Watertown had her home searched by police.