Around Town

Minister of First Parish Bidding Church, Watertown Farewell

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Mark Harris, minister of the First Parish Church of Watertown, received the 2019 Unity Award. He helped start the event, and will be retiring from the church later this year. After 23 years, the Rev. Mark Harris will leave Watertown’s First Parish Church Unitarian Universalist where he made his mark with his congregation and the wider community. Harris’ time as minister of First Parish Church runs through the end of July, but he gave his last sermon in early June. In September, he and his wife, Andrea Greenwood, will move to Maine.

Around Town

Stock Up for the Fourth of July at the Watertown Farmers Market

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The Watertown Farmers Market will be in full swing on Wednesday, July 3, and shoppers can get meats and veggies for the grill, ingredients for salads and the kids can enjoy an Independence Day craft. The market will be open on Wednesday, July 3, from 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Saltonstall Park (next to Town Hall). The organizers of the Watertown Farmers Market provided the following information:

Pick up tips, chops, sausages, dogs, and more from Lilac Hedge Farm, all perfect for the grill. And let’s not forget about the veggies such as this Grilled Zucchini and Summer Squash Salad or this Grilled Beet Salad with Caramelized Citrus. Guest vendor, B – Organics, will be selling produce bags to keep those veggies fresh until you’re ready to use them.

Around Town

Watertown Woman Honored for Tireless Advocacy of Solar Energy

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Watertown’s Jocelyn Tager recently received an honor for her work advocating for solar energy. A Watertown woman who made it her mission to spread the use of solar energy in town, and beyond, recently received an award for her work and accolades from the Town Council. Jocelyn “Jolly” Tager was honored at the Solar Energy BusinessAssociation of New England’s Summer Solstice Celebration for her advocacy for solar energy. Last week, the Town Council recognized Tager for, among other things, pushing for Watertown to become the first community in Massachusetts to have a solar requirement for new developments over a certain size. Tager said said she has enjoyed the accolades.

Around Town

Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Gets Grant to Expand Youth Program

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A Youth Public Safety Academy cadet salutes a sheriff’s deputy and Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, right. The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) will be able to expand its capacity by as many as 100 cadets this summer thanks to a $23,000 grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian announced. “Nearly 1,200 youngsters have applied to YPSA this year, and the continuing success of the camp comes from our terrific partnerships with our fellow law enforcement and government agencies,” said Sheriff Koutoujian.  “Thanks to the Baker Administration and EOPSS, we will be able to hire two extra counselors and purchase the additional equipment necessary to accept 100 more cadets over the course of the summer.  This grant will make a real difference in the lives of these youngsters who may not otherwise be able to attend YPSA.”

This marks the second consecutive year the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) has been awarded the grant through the Commonwealth’s Law Enforcement and Youth Partnerships Summer Day Program.  The initiative, administered by EOPSS, is designed to support summer recreational and educational learning opportunities with local law enforcement. “We are honored to partner with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office to allow more young people to take part in this valuable program,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Thomas Turco. “Creating strong, positive relationships between law enforcement and the community is a priority for us and one that is clearly shared by Sheriff Koutoujian and his team.”

YPSA is a week-long camp designed for children ages 8-12 who live in Middlesex County.

Around Town

July at the Senior Center Includes Flowers, Maine Trip & More

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Watertown Senior Center

The Watertown Senior Center has plenty of activities in July, including an exotic flower demonstration, a trip to Maine and information about working with a case worker. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Senior Center:

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE: BRIEF HISTORY OF THE U.S. POSTAL SYSTEMHenry Lukas, Education Director, Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History, will discuss the history of the U.S. Postal system by viewing stamps issued over the years. Hear the many ways mail has been delivered and the unusual items transported, including baby chicks, the Hope Diamond, and a little girl who mailed herself to her grandmother. Learn about very rare stamps, stamps that have caused controversies and stamps with unusual topics. Find out what stamps are being issued this year and the Post Office’s rules for deciding who or what goes on a stamp. WHEN: Wednesday, July 17 TIME: 10:00 A.M. Pre-registration is required.

Around Town

Historical Society Marking the Signing of the First U.S. Treaty, Hosting Art Exhibit

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Members of the United Native American Cultural Center in Devens play a traditional Native American song as part of the celebration of the signing of the Treaty of Watertown and the first reading of the Declaration of Independence at Watertown’s Edmund Fowle House. Two historic events from the early days of this nation will be celebrated by the Historical Society of Watertown. The group is also hosting an art exhibit featuring the work of a local artist. On Saturday, July 20, the Historical Society will recreate the signing of the first treaty signed by a fledgling United States, along with the first reading of the Declaration of Independence. Both events took place in Watertown.

Around Town

Council Approves Funds to Design Victory Field Track Improvements

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An overhead view of the planned renovation of the courts and track area at Victory Field. The renovation of the track and courts area at Victory Field took a major step forward Tuesday night when the Town Council approved funds to start the final designs. The Council unanimously approved spending $284,500 to allow the Victory Field Phase II project to proceed. The first phase was the renovation of the football and baseball areas at the sports complex on Orchard Street. The plan includes installing a new natural grass field in the center of the oval, and a new rubber track and subsurface, said Glenn Howard, project architect from CDM Smith.

Around Town

Recently Finished Projects Makes Watertown Library More Friendly to the Disabled

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

The Watertown Free Public Library recently completed two Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvement projects. First, the front patio was extended three feet to allow everyone, including people with mobility devices, to enjoy the coveted outside space. Inside, automatic door openers were added to the entrances of the children’s, teen, and Watertown Savings Bank Room, the large meeting room on the first floor. “Given that our library was renovated in 2006, we don’t find many accessibility issues with the building.