Watertown DPW Hosting Styrofoam, Textile Recycling Event with Paper Shredding

Recycle your Styrofoam at the special DPW event. The following information came from the Watertown Department of Public Works:

There will also be Textiles, Paper Shredding and Styrofoam Recycling for Watertown Residents only on Saturday, June 12, 2021 from 10AM-2PM. Please enter at Stanley Ave. These items can be dropped off at the Jewish Day School parking lot at the entrance of Stanley Avenue. 

This is a free event for Town residents only – please bring an ID with you. For all standard recycling, please enter on Green River Way.

Watertown Library Lifts Most COVID-19 Restrictions, Opens at Full Capacity

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:

Starting on Saturday, May 29, most covid restrictions were rescinded inside the Watertown Free Public Library. With capacity and social distancing limitations removed, patrons were welcomed back to full use of the library. It didn’t take long to feel the buzz that was so common before COVID hit last March. For the past year, library services have been greatly reduced to primarily browsing the collection, checking out materials, and limited computer and equipment use. Now, patrons can walk in and use computers, study rooms, sit and read, work, and use the public meeting rooms. Library operating hours are near pre-covid with the final move to full hours on July 11 when the library will resume Sunday hours.

Local Foundation Gives $77K in Grants to Programs for Watertown’s Older Adults

The following announcement was provided by Marshall Home Fund:

Watertown’s Marshall Home Fund recently awarded $77,500 to local organizations, fulfilling its goal of serving Watertown’s older adults. Some grantees provide direct services that meet the financial, medical and emotional needs of isolated older adults, needs that were more evident than ever this past year. Other grantees sponsor programs for groups of older adults; they are eager to resume offering fun activities and opportunities for social interaction. The following lists all the 2021 grantees, organized according to World Health Organization goals for an age friendly community, one where all older residents can be healthy and productive. This is a goal everyone has come to value more than ever after a difficult year apart from each other.

DCR Closing Little Greenough to Traffic Through End of November

A stretch of roadway along the Charles River, known as Little Greenough, has been closed to traffic by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the closure will run through late November. The DCR closed the area last year during the Pandemic to make the stretch of Greenough Boulevard from Arsenal Street to North Beacon Street available for recreational uses, such as walking, biking, and rollerblading. Once again in 2021, the roadway was closed beginning April 10, according to the DCR’s notice. Cones block off the mouth of the roadway on either end and orange barrels have been placed on on North Beacon Street westbound to stop vehicles from using the right-turn-only lane. The Town Council had endorsed a request made by the Watertown Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee to close the roadway again in 2021.

Watertown’s New Rep Receives Grant from Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation

The following announcement was provided by the Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation:

Rockland Trust’s affiliated charitable foundations have announced the recipients of their Racial Equity Grant Program, providing 45 local nonprofits with over $200,000 in grants to support activities that advance racial equity within their organizations and communities, including Watertown-based New Repertory Theatre. Over 80 percent of the funded projects were for internal/organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work, such as Board, staff or volunteer training, policy reviews and audits. The remaining funds supported community-based DEI activities, or hybrid proposals that focused on both organizational and community-focused DEI work. “We were extremely impressed by the thoughtful nature of the applications we received,” said Edward H. Seksay, President and Chair of the Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation and Rockland Trust-Blue Hills Charitable Foundation. “These grants exemplify our steadfast DEI commitment and our ongoing support of local nonprofits.

Watertown Veterans Gather In-Person to Commemorate Memorial Day

Charlie BreitroseWatertown veterans salute the Flag during the playing of the National Anthem at the Memorial Day Observance. Memorial Day 2021 in Watertown had more of a normal feeling than last year, with veterans able to gather in person and pay tribute to those who gave their lives serving their country. While the parade was cancelled for the second straight year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Town’s Memorial Day Observance took place under a tent next to the Commander’s Mansion. “I think the community and everyone else has learned a crash course in what veterans call improvise, adapt and overcome,” said Watertown Veterans Services Officer Patrick George. Last year, members of the Shutt Detachment of the Marine Corps League, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and AmVets organized the place flags on graves of veterans and place wreaths at memorials around Watertown despite the COVID-19 restrictions.

Historical Society of Watertown Seeks a Treasurer

The following information was provided by the Historical Society of Watertown:

The Historical Society of Watertown is looking for a Treasurer. The role of the Treasurer is vital to all organizations. We are looking to fill this position and hope that you or someone you know would be interested in joining our Board and taking this role. The Treasurer is the person who oversees the management and reporting of the Historical Society’s finances. The Treasurer receives and disperses all funds, pays the bills and reports on the transactions at our monthly meetings.

Watertown Marine Whose Name is on a Westside Park Died in Vietnam 53 Years Ago

PFC Richard Moxley, of Watertown, who was killed in Vietnam in 1968. The field next to Watertown Middle School was dedicated to him. Richard Moxley, for whom the field and park next to Watertown Middle School is named, was a quick-witted young man who enjoyed interacting with interesting characters, and decided to forego college to serve his country in the Marines in 1967. He died in Vietnam nearly 53 years ago. Moxley was born on Sept.