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Health Department Running Two COVID Vaccine Booster Clinics

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The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

Watertown Health Department will be hosting an Adult Moderna Booster Clinic on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. & August 9, 2022 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Watertown Public Library on the 1st floor in the Savings Bank Meeting Room, 123 Main St, Watertown, MA 02472. Register for July 19, 2022 clinic

Register for August 9, 2022 clinic

CDC recommends everyone ages 5 years and older receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series. Some people should receive two boosters. You can mix and match vaccines. Your booster does not need to be the same vaccine brand as your original COVID-19 vaccination.

Around Town

Group Holding Two Part Discussion of Roe v. Wade Supreme Court Decision

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A discussion of the Supreme Court’s decision on Roe v. Wade will be held in Watertown over two evenings. The event is hosted by State Rep. Steve Owens, Tiffany York, Elizabeth Peck, Daniel Pritchard, and Wayside Youth & Family Network. Organizers provided the following information:

You are invited to a two-part conversation on Monday, July 18 from 6:30-8 p.m. and Wednesday, July 20 from 7-9 p.m. focused on Watertown residents ‘ feelings, questions and experiences while building resilience in Watertown around the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade. Register here for Part 1Register here for part 2Submit Questions

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Watertown Group Hosting Discussion of Ukraine and Danger of Nuclear Weapons

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Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment sent the following announcement for its July monthly meeting:

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 20 from 6:45 until 8:30 p.m. Via Zoom. The topic will be Ukraine and the Growing Danger of Nuclear Weapons. The Peace and Common Security working group will present, “Ukraine and the Growing Danger of Nuclear Weapons” at the July Monthly Meeting.  The Program will feature Dr. Ira Helfand, Past President of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War and a member of the Steering Committee of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. 

The war in Ukraine has raised the possibility of the use of battlefield nuclear weapons and the unthinkable exchange of nuclear weapons between the U.S. and Russia.  Dr. Helfand will discuss the devastation and effects of a nuclear exchange. Also joining us is Susan Mirsky, a member of Newton Dialogues for Peace and War and the Chair of the Nuclear Disarmament working group of Massachusetts Peace Action.  Ms. Mirsky will talk about how we, as active citizens, can work of nuclear disarmament and about the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The link to the zoom meeting is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87184471301?pwd=VUQ5U1R1U2dYNnI5YkY5c3lkTFFtZz09\

For more information contact peaceandsecurity@watertowncitizens.org

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LETTER: Resident Concerned About Loss of Staff From Health Department

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(The following was first presented to the City Council during the Public Forum at the July 12, 2022 Council Meeting)

I am speaking to you about my concern over the long-standing problems within our Health Department. My information is from my attendance at Board of Health meetings, a review of minutes of public meetings, and my communications with members of the community and City staff. I read a statement at the January Board of Health meeting detailing my concerns, and what I described has since grown worse. In essence I asked the BOH to look beyond the Department Head reports and examine the reasons so many talented people are leaving our city vulnerable during what was such a critical time. I am appealing to the City Council to exercise their charter-mandated oversight responsibility and hold an Executive Session to address the situation. 

My key concerns within the Health Department are:

• An alarming attrition rate: around 8 employees in the last 3 years.

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Fruits and Veggies in Season at the Watertown Farmers Market

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Farmers Market:

We’re now in full swing with vendors bringing a delicious variety of farm fresh and specialty foods, along with fine arts and crafts from local artisans hosting our weekly guest tent. Be sure to stop by our community and city guest tents to learn about local agencies, services, and resources. 

What’s Growing? Our fabulous produce vendors will be bringing plenty of fresh summer goodies like sweet corn, tomatoes, kale, boc choy, blueberries, currents, radishes, beets, chard, cucumbers, and summer squash! Check out availability here: Dick’s, Farmer Tim’s, Stillman’s. Grab your reusable bags, take a look at our layout below, invite a friend, and come on over!

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Watertown Curbside Composting Program Starts Soon, See How to Participate

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Watertown DPWCurbside composting toters, like the one on the left, will be part of the Watertown trash and recycling program starting in August. Watertown residents will soon be able to compost their food waste with free curbside pickup. Registration is now open for those interested. The Department of Public Works has partnered with Black Earth, which will do weekly curbside pickup of organic waste, said City Recycling Coordinator Anya Pforzheimer. They collect organic waste put out on the curb in 13-gallon green bins.