Affordable Housing

Council Seeks Payments from Developments to go to Affordable Housing

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Watertown officials will request special legislation to be approved that would allow the City to charge a fee to new commercial developments with the money going to a fund to create affordable housing. The City seeks what is known as a linkage fee, which is based on the impact of commercial development on the demand for affordable housing, acting Deputy City Manager Steve Magoon told the City Council on Tuesday. The special legislation will have to be approved by the State Legislature. “Non-residential projects are creating demand for affordable housing for people who work in Watertown,” Magoon said. “We have done a study to look at that impact and adjusted it by the nexus between that demand being created by projects and the cost that it represents to us as a municipality, and a fee that would be charged.”

Around Town

Farewell for Two Recreation Employees to be Held at City Hall

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The Watertown Recreation Department will say good bye to two employees who will be leaving the department. They will be honored at a celebration to be held on Friday, June 17 in City Hall. The event is free and open to the public. Recreation Director Peter Centola sent out the following announcement:

After close to 5 years as Recreation Supervisor, Jim Coutoumas will be moving on to greener pastures as Assistant Director of Recreation in Canton. We are grateful for Jim’s outstanding service to our department and our Watertown Community.

Around Town

Watertown Business Coalition Kicks Off Summer with Networking at Donohue’s

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The Watertown Business Coalition invites the local business community, non-profits, arts organizations and others to come together at the kick off to summer at Donohue’s Bar & Grill. The free event will be at Donohue’s back patio on Wednesday, June 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“We would be absolutely thrilled to see everyone! It will be cash bar with delicious Donohue’s appetizers. Please bring your co-workers, employees, significant others, friends, neighbors … let’s pack the house!” the WBC announcement said.

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Watertown Public Works Paper Shredding Event Rescheduled

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The Watertown Department of Public Works announced that the paper shredding event originally scheduled for June 6 has been rescheduled. The paper shredding was not available that day, as had originally been announced. The City of Watertown provided the following information:

The Department of Public Works is hosting a Shredding Truck on Saturday, July 9, 2022 from 10am-2pm at the Jewish Day School (57 Stanley Ave in Watertown) to help residents dispose of resources in a sustainable way. If you have any questions, please email recycle@watertown-ma.gov. 

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Shares Available for Charles River Co-op, Group Looking to Create New Food Buying Alternative

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Since the closing of Russo’s market in September 2021, a group of people has been working to create a new option for grocery and food shoppers in the Watertown area. On June 15, the Charles River Food Co-op formally kicks off the sale of shares in the planned store. The co-op had a soft opening in early June, and has already sold more than 70 shares, said Nick Quaranto, interim board president of the Charles River Food Co-op. The money raised by the shares, which cost $200 each, will go toward planning and building a store in one of the communities on which the co-op is focusing: Watertown, Waltham, and Newton. Shareholders will also be able to participate in co-op elections and will receive discounts after the store opens.

Around Town

Adult COVID Vaccine Booster Clinic Offered by Health Department

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

The Watertown Health Department will be hosting an Adult Moderna Booster Clinic on Saturday, June 25, 2022 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Watertown Public Library on the first floor in the Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room, 123 Main St., Watertown, MA 02472. Registration information. Below is the updated booster eligibility:

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.