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Watertown Group to Discuss Fair Share Ballot Question

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Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 6:45 until 8:30 p.m. via Zoom. The group provided the following announcement:

The November Fair Share Ballot Question is more than just a millionaire’s tax. It’s a vision for the future. Come hear about the state of transportation and education and how we will benefit from this initiative. 

Our State Rep. Steve Owens will share his legislative perspective and thinking about transportation and related climate initiatives 

Local school teachers will share the broad range of public education benefits and a local school perspective.  

Ask your questions and learn how you can help get this ballot question passed in November.

Around Town

LETTER: Group Encourages Older Residents to Participate in Comprehensive Plan Process

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Submitted by Bob Shay of Watertown for All Ages

Watertown for All Ages, a grassroots community organization, encourages older adults and their children to make their voices heard in the city’s Comprehensive Planning process that will shape the future of Watertown for years to come. Watertown for All Ages has submitted recommendations for improved programs and services for older residents. To learn more and read the recommendations visit the Watertown for All Ages website (www.watertownforallages.org) or email: info@watertownforallages.org. The City is holding workshops for the public to participate in the Comprehensive Plan process on September 20 and 29. For details: https://engagestantec.mysocialpinpoint.com/watertown-plan/watertown-plan-events/ 

“We hope the ideas we have offered for the Comprehensive Plan will be the basis for a broader community discussion, and we encourage everyone to get involved,” said Bob Shay, President of Watertown for All Ages. Watertown for All Ages’ list of opportunities that the City planners should consider includes suggestions to increase transportation and affordable housing options, identify innovative ways to decrease social isolation, support intergenerational programs, and offer a broader range programs and recreational opportunities that will be of interest to a more diverse population of older residents.

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Find Out About Local Services for Alcohol & Drug Use Prevention, Treatment & Recovery

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The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol or drug use, please come to a special evening of talks from people in the recovery community and experts on substance use disorders. The event, Watertown: A Community of Caring, will be held on Thursday evening, Sept 22, 2022 at the Watertown Library starting at 6 p.m. It will also be available via a zoom link. The program will highlight local services available for prevention, treatment and recovery for substance use disorders (SUD). The free, in-person event will kick off with a light supper, followed by a performance by Second Act, an improv group, whose members are in recovery. A panel of speakers will address local services available to people with SUD and their families.

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Spots Still Available for Most Watertown Recreation Fall Programs

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The Watertown Recreation Department’s fall programs have started, but there are still spaces available in most of the programs. Activities range from age 3 to adult.

Kids sports programs include PreK Outdoor sports for ages 3-5, youth tennis (grades 1-8), Junior All Sports (grades K-2), and All Sports (grades 3-5). This fall there will be Jr. Creative Arts for grades K-2 and Lego BricQ Motion 1 for grades 2-5. The Recreation Department has teamed with the Watertown Police Department to present multiple Cops ‘n’ Rec activities, including: flag football, racket sports, dodgeball, and volleyball. There is also a flag football program for grades 3-5. Artemis Yoga will run classes for kids 6-10 and girls empowerment classes for ages 10 to 14.

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Planning Board to Hear Proposals for Former Russo’s, Sterritt Lumber Sites

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JacobsThe proposed life science lab building that would go on the former Russo’s site at 560 Pleasant St. Two major projects will be heard by the Planning Board on Wednesday: a proposal to build a four-story lab and office building on the former Russo’s property, and a two-story lab and office building on the former Sterritt Lumber site. 560 Pleasant St. BDPF Pleasant St. Owner, LLC.

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Watertown Resident Honored for Her Work Expanding Access to the Arts

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Perkins SchoolWatertown’s Kim Charlson recently won an award from the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts for expanding access to the arts for people with a disability. Watertown resident and director of Perkins School for the Blind’s library Kim Charlson received a national award for her work expanding access to the arts for people with disabilities. Recently, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presented Charlson with a Leadership Exchange in Arts & Disability (LEAD) award. The award recognized her work to expand access to the arts for people who are visually impaired. Awards were presented at a ceremony in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Aug.

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Residents Invited to Join the 2022 Citizen’s Police Academy

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The Watertown Police Department invites residents to participate in the 2022 Citizen’s Police Academy. See more information from the Watertown Police Department below. We are very excited to announce that our Citizen’s Police Academy is back beginning on Wednesday, September 14th!! If you have interest in learning about the operations of the police department, we can give you a front row seat!! For more information or to reserve a seat, please contact Ms. Judy Patenaude at 617-972-6537 or jpatenaude@police.watertown-ma.gov.

The CPA starts on Sept.