Around Town

Watertown Girl Greeted by Parade of Trucks for Her 2nd Birthday

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Two-year-old Emmeline looks in awe at the five Republic Services trucks that turned up for her birthday. This week, a young Watertown girl got a special visit from Republic Services, the town’s trash and recycling contractor, to celebrate her second birthday. Emmeline’s mother Ashley Dixon wrote this letter in appreciation of the celebration:

Dear Ms. Osmond and Mr. Leavery,

I am writing with a sincere thank you to Shane, his Republic Services crew, and the Town of Watertown. Crews from Republic Services delivered gifts to Emmeline for her second birthday. Whenever my daughter hears one of their trucks, she drops everything to go and watch in amazement.

Around Town

Watertown Group Using MLK’s Teachings to Address Racial Injustice, Bigotry

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People kneel in memory of George Floyd and others during a candlelight vigil in Watertown Square co-sponsored by the Kingian Response Team and the Watertown Police Department. Tuesday night, dozens of people gathered in Watertown Square holding lanterns and candles in a vigil for George Floyd and others, and to speak out against racism and bigotry. The event was one of the first efforts of the Kingian Nonviolence Response Team, which grew out of a program that has its roots in the Watertown Public Schools. The Kingian group has plans to work with the Watertown Police Department, the Watertown Public Schools and the Town Council to reduce what they see as systemic racism in these local institutions. And much of the effort is being led by current Watertown students who learned King’s teachings in the Kingian Nonviolence program at Watertown Middle School.

Around Town

Mosquito in Watertown Tests Positive for West Nile Virus

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Watertown, Massachusetts. In 2019, 8,295 mosquito samples were tested forWNV and 87 samples were positive. Watertown had no WNV positive mosquito samples identified in 2019. WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state and are found in urban as well as more rural areas.

Around Town

Watertown Marine Killed in Vietnam 52 Years Ago Today

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Paul Gorman, a Watertown Marine killed in Vietnam, had a memorial dedicated in his name on Main Street at Emerson Road. The following piece was provided by Jim Prendergast, a friend of Paul Gorman:

Today, July 30th, we remember Marine PFC Paul Gorman, who gave his life for his Country fifty-two years ago. Paul grew up on Emerson Road, attended St. Patrick’s grammar school and graduated from Watertown High in the Class of 1966. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in September 1967 along with 10 other Watertown young men.

Around Town

Watertown Library Reopens, Virtual Programing Still Available

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The Watertown Free Public Library partially reopened on July 27. The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

The Watertown Free Public Library reopens this week for browsing only. This means you will be able to check out materials and purchase used books in the café. Our librarians will be able to direct you to what you’re looking for. Curbside pickup service will continue.

Around Town

Watertown Scouts Hold Crossing Over Ceremony

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Daniel Duarte crosses the bridge from Cub Scouts, leading his mother Evelyn Pedroza and
brother Jeremiah Rios over to the Cub Scouts. The following piece was submitted by Watertown Troop 30:

Watertown’s Troop 30 held a socially-distant crossing over ceremony last week as two new Boy Scouts were promoted into its ranks. Daniel Duarte and Lucas Pelegrin are now officially Boy Scouts. 

Normally held at a campsite and with hot chocolate and cookies, the current Coronavirus crisis prompted some changes this year. Duarte, Pelegrin and Cub Scout Pack 30 met up along the Charles River and met up with Troop 30 in an open field — everyone masked for safety. There,Troop 30 built a bridge for Webelos Scouts to cross over, with each plank of the bridge spelling out the words of the Scout Law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Around Town

Portion of Filippello Park Closing for Construction

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Filippello Park. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Recreation Department:

The Filippello (Arlington) section of Filippello Park will be closed to the public and all users beginning Monday, July 27 at 6:00am and ending Friday, July 31 at 6:00pm due to the installation of pole foundations for the new lighting system. This includes the field, walking track, tot lot / playground and table and grill areas within the Filippello (Arlington) section of the park. This does not include the Filippello (Grove) entryway, dog park, courts, parking lot, Filippello (Grove) field, tot lot, table and grill area, bathroom and spray park. The Park Adventure Program offered by the Recreation Department will be moved to Arsenal Park and the Raiders FC clinic will move to the Victory (Oval) for the week.

Around Town

Demolition of Hosmer School Will Begin Soon

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A map of the area around Hosmer Elementary School, including the traffic plan for the fall. The section of the school in the dark green area will remain after the rest of the school, to the left, is demolished this summer. The demolition of a portion of Hosmer Elementary School will begin on Monday, July 27. Project Manager Thomas Finnegan, from Hill International, sent a letter to school and town officials, and others, updating them about the reconstruction project. The auditorium and cafeteria will be torn down as part of the demolition work, which will take about four weeks.