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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.

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Watertown Cable Employee Honored as Emerging Leader

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Watertown Cable Access TVWatertown Cable Access TV Assistant Director Andrea Santopietro received the 2022 Emerging Leader Award from the Alliance for Community Media. The following announcement was provided by Watertown Cable Access:

Watertown Cable Access Corp. (WCA-TV) is very excited to announce that its Assistant Director, Andrea Santopietro, has received the 2022 Emerging Leader Award from the Alliance for Community Media (ACM). Andrea accepted her award during the national ACM conference in Chicago at the end of June. 

The national ACM conference brings together representatives from public access television stations and media centers from all over the country for three days of networking, vendor presentations, workshops, and awards recognition. 

“Ever since joining WCA-TV Andrea has brought fresh ideas, a spirit of collaboration, and a willingness not only to learn more, but to share her knowledge with volunteers, coworkers, and community organizations,” said WCA-TV Executive Director Helen Chatel. 

The Emerging Leader Award recognizes a professional who is under 40 years of age working in the field of community media who demonstrates the values of building community through media on a consistent basis. 

“I am so honored to have received this award, and I will continue to work hard in making my community and organization the best that it can be,” Andrea said. 

Mike Wassenaar, President & CEO at Alliance for Community Media and Andre Santopietro, Assistant Director of WCA-TV at the awards ceremony in Chicago. Addressing the audience during an awards ceremony in Chicago, Andrea reflected on her role with WCA-TV, which includes coordinating coverage and broadcast of Watertown’s municipal meetings, organizing and teaching workshops, and working with volunteers to help them produce programming. 

“Even with the administrative responsibility of an Assistant Director, I am still able to do what I love and incorporate it in my day to day life at the station,” Andrea said.

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New Youth Engagement Specialist Joins Watertown Youth Coalition

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Watertown Youth CoalitionRaphael Marinho joined the Watertown Youth Coalition as the Youth Engagement Specialist. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Youth Coalition:

Raphael Marinho is the new Youth Engagement Specialist at Wayside Multi-Service Center and will be working with Watertown Youth in two capacities: as the Watertown Youth Coalition Peer Leadership Advisor and will also be available to intervene with youth engaged in or at-risk for substance misuse. He will screen, assess, and refer youth to appropriate programs and activities that support their health and wellness. Raphael immigrated from Brazil to get his college education in the U.S., where he studied psychology and acquired a master’s degree in Community Social Psychology. Through a work-study opportunity at an early literacy program, he found his passion for education and community work with at-risk youth and immigrant families.