Around Town

Watertown Library Displaying Newly Restored Map from 1856

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A newly restored map of Middlesex County from 1856 now hangs on the second floor of the Watertown Free Public Library. A piece of history now hangs on the second floor of the Watertown Free Public Library, near the study area and computers. The map of Middlesex County dates to 1856, and was recently restored as part of the library’s effort to preserve the town’s history. The map shows the outlines of the communities of Middlesex County and measures about 5 feet by 5 feet. It was created by Henry Francis Walling who served as “Superintendent of the State Map” for Massachusetts.

Around Town

Community Input Sought on Proposed Recreational Marijuana Facility

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The group applying to operate an adult use marijuana facility in Watertown will host a community meeting to provide information about the facility to the public, and to get input. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019 in the Third Floor Conference Room in Town Hall at 6:30 p.m.

Natural Selections, applying as NS AJO Holdings Inc., has already been approved to run a medical marijuana facility at 23 Elm St. in Watertown, and now seeks to also sell for adult use (also called recreational use). To be approved, the applicants must get a special permit approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Town Council must agree to a host community agreement and the state’s Cannabis Control Commission must approve it.

Around Town

Meeting for Family Mental Health Support Group

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The following information was provided by NAMI:

Family Mental Health support group:  NAMI Family Mental Health Support Group is a free, structured, confidential peer-led support group for the families of individuals living with mental illness.  

A support group will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 7:30 – 9 p.m. at the Newton Wellesley Hospital, at 2014 Washington Street in Newton 02461, on the second floor of the main building in the Bowles Conference Center. Parking will be validated. This is organized by the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI).

Around Town

Deadline for Choosing Electricity Plan Approaching for Watertown Residents

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Town residents have received information about Watertown Electricity Choice in the mail, online and other modes, but many people have questions about the new electricity program. Monday, Aug. 12 is the deadline for Watertown residents to choose one of the new electricity plans being offered by the town as part of the Electricity Choice program. However, Watertown Energy Manager Ed Lewis stressed that residents can change their plans anytime, with no fee for changing. Lewis has been fielding calls, and doing informational sessions to answer resident’s questions about the Watertown’s electricity plan.

Around Town

Repaving of Common Street Will Close Several Watertown Streets for a Week

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The Watertown Department of Public Works is remodeling Common Street and surrounding streets. The following information was provided by the Watertown DPW:

Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 7 the Common Street project will enter an important phase. At that time, road reclamation (pulverization) of the road base, roadway fine grading, and paving of the binder (first) course of pavement is planned for Common Street (Columbia Street through and including the Orchard Street intersection) and Katherine Road (from Common Street to Church Street). Weather permitting, this phase of work will take approximately one week to complete.

Around Town

Watertown Group Hosting Event on Children from El Salvadoran Facing Deportation

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The following information was provided by Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group & Friends of Actions for Immigrant Lives:

Join American children from Boston of El Salvadoran descent for a short film and discussion about the play they created and took to Congress this year. Learn about their creative process, their journey to Washington, D.C., and the specter of deportation that families face. Come learn what you can do to support the 12,000 Massachusetts residents whose TPS visas are scheduled to be terminated by the Trump administration in 2019 and 2020. Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., 7:00 p.m. Admission is free.

Air Force

Watertown High Grad Enlisting in U.S. Air Force

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Watertown’s Brett Sutherland, center, poses with his parents Linda and Wayne after he was sworn in as a member of the U.S. Air Force. Watertown High School graduate Brett Sutherland is not the only member of the Class of 2019 to go join the military after graduation. A number are going into the Marines, including his cousin Max Bunnell, but Sutherland decided to go another direction and join the United States Air Force. As he was nearing the end of high school, Sutherland said that he did not really think about applying to college. “I never felt like school was for me,” he said.

Around Town

See the Activities at Hatch Makerspace in August

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Get your mind ready to be creative, make a traditional instrument and much more is going on at the Hatch Maker Space. The following information was provided by the Hatch Makerspace:

Hatch Makerspace is located at 20 Summer Street in Watertown, MA. An extension of the Watertown Free Public Library, it is a public workshop with space, equipment, and materials available for your use. For more information contact Liz Helfer, HatchCoordinator: ehelfer@watertown-ma.gov | 781-795-2309

Say hello to Hatch at the Watertown Farmer’s Market!Stop by the WFPL table on Wednesday, August 14th to enjoy a family-friendly crafting activity! Workshop spotlight: Art Studio – Mindful MendingJoin Watertown artist, Amelia Young, in an exploration of mindful mending.