New Program Seeks to Make Watertown More Green, Promote Planting of Street Trees

City of PhiladelphiaTree trenches will allow for improved dispersion of excess storm water. The Town of Watertown plans to install 15 tree trenches around the community. By James Briand, Trees for Watertown

A drive around Watertown quickly reveals that green assets — shade, permeable surfaces, and advanced drainage systems — are unevenly distributed. While some areas have abundant, mature shade trees and street-side planting strips overflowing with flowers, other neighborhoods are treeless, and non-permeable asphalt surfaces define the streets. This is not just a matter of beauty.

Watertown Farmers Market Seeks Feedback from Shoppers in Customer Survey

The Watertown Farmers’ Market is seeking feedback about this season! Please take this brief, yet important survey about your experiences at the market this year.  We want to hear from ALL community members: from weekly shoppers to those who were not able to make it this year – your feedback is important! Thank you in advance for your participation, and please share the link: Customer Survey

For information about the market, visit: www.watertownmarket.com or contact Stephanie Venizelos, Community Wellness Program Manager at: svenizelos@watertown-ma.gov

Pigsgusset Initiative Invites Public to Discussion of Local Indigenous History

The following information was provided by the Pigsgusset Initiative:

The Pigsgusset Initiative, a working group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment, invites the community to a panel discussion about local Indigenous history and the MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda.  

The forum on Indigenous History of Watertown and State legislation will be on Sunday, Nov. 14th, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Speakers include: 

Mwalim (Morgan James Peters), Mashpee Wampanoag performing artist, UMass Dartmouth professor and playwright who will discuss the Indigenous perspective on how Indigenous history is/is not representedDr. Mishy Lesser, Learning Director of Upstander Project,  who will discuss Watertown Indigenous history including the narrative embodied in the town seal Mahtowin Munro (Lakota), co-leader of United American Indians of New England and the MA Indigenous Legislative agenda, who will discuss the status of legislation.Sarah Morrisette, Moderator, theatre artist and administrator and Pigsgusset Initiative member 

Following the presentations, participants will have an opportunity to ask questions. This event is co-sponsored by: 

Kingian Response TeamProgressive Watertown

You need to register in advance for this webinar.   https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nVnQ-cnLSyGpApJzWt0GZA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The Pigsgusset Initiative seeks to increase communication and promote collaboration among Watertown residents to undo the erasure of Indigenous Peoples from the place now called Watertown and to promote inclusive historical narratives.  For more information about Pigsgusset Initiative: https://watertowncitizens.org/working-groups/pigsgusset-initiative/

New Yoga Studio Finds a Home on School Street, Welcomes Students of All Levels

Dore VanSlykeDore VanSlyke opened Studio Yoga Bella opened on School Street in Watertown. Dore VanSlyke began teaching yoga nearly eight years ago, teaching in a variety of fitness clubs and yoga studios, but after taking her practice online during the pandemic she decided to start her own studio. In October, she opened Studio Yoga Bella in Watertown. The studio is on School Street, next to Arsenal Pizza, and VanSlyke decided to use the fall to get established. “I’m in soft open right now.

Watertown Library Hosting Brighter Futures Career Job Fair

The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

If you would like to get into the job market quickly, you may want to consider a technical or specialty program. These training programs vary widely in majors, length of programs, cost, and other characteristics, but they have one thing in common: an emphasis on hands-on training for a specific career. On Sunday, Nov. 14, the Watertown Free Public Library is hosting the Brighter Futures Career Fair — an opportunity for teens and adults to learn about technical and vocational opportunities in a wide array disciplines, all in one place. This is event is perfect for anyone interested in a specialty profession such as nursing, culinary arts, cosmetics, engineering, accounting, or auto mechanics.

Donation Drive & Free Store to be Hosted by Watertown Mutual Aid

Watertown Mutual Aid announced it will host a Donation Drive and Free Store on Sunday, Nov. 7. The event will be at Ballroom in Boston, 100 Parker St. in Watertown. The Donation Drive will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Accepted items:

Winter coats (new/like-new)Cold-weather clothes for kids, newborn to young adult (new/like-new)Diapers and baby wipesMenstrual productsPersonal care items (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.)

Shop at the Free Store from 1-3 p.m. Free and open to all!

See Precinct Results for 2021 Town Council, School Committee, Library Trustees Races and the Charter Questions

Town of WatertownA map of Watertown’s Districts: Peach is A, Red is B, Lime Green is C, Green is D.

The results of the Watertown Election are in, and the winners have been announced, but if the election had followed certain precincts the results would have looked different. The Town Clerk’s office released the precinct-by-precinct counts from the Nov. 2, 2021, election. The turnout was bigger than recent Town Elections, with 24 percent of the 25,693 registered Watertown voters casting ballots, according to the Town Clerk’s office. In 2019, the turnout was 17.24 percent.