Around Town

Water Main Break on Greenough Blvd. Impacts Traffic, Some Without Water

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A water main broke on Greenough Boulevard, near Arsenal Street Tuesday morning, and the Department of Public Works hopes to have the pipe fixed the same day. 

The break occurred at about 5:30 a.m., and closed the road. Residents of one of the towers on Coolidge Avenue did not have water due to the break, said Public Works Superintendent Gerry Mee. As of 12:30 p.m., crews had removed the broken section of the 12-inch pipe, Mee said. “They are getting pipe to put in, but it is still a slow, long process,” Mee said. “Our goal is to get water back on today.”

Around Town

Watertown Senior Center Hosting Holiday Boutique This Week

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Get your holiday shopping started with the Friends of the Watertown Council on Aging’s Holiday Boutique. The sale features handmade knitted items, jewelry, ornaments and holiday décor. The Boutique will be held at the Watertown Senior Center, 31 Marshall St., on Thursday, Nov. 8 and Friday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Around Town

Work of Watertown Police, Firefighters Recognized by Post Office with Special Stamp

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The U.S. Postal Service honored Watertown’s police officers and firefighters  Thursday with the unveiling of a stamp recognizing first responders. 

The Post Office is presenting local departments with a plaque featuring a larger image of the limited edition stamps. Linda Beattie, manager of Watertown’s three post offices, presented the plaques to Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn, Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Dan Tardif, and Watertown Firefighter and EMT David Meagher during a ceremony at the Watertown Police Station. “For the work they did with the Boston Marathon bombers, we wanted to recognize them for their heroic actions,” Beattie said. “It has a special meaning for this town.” The stamp features three figures: a red firefighter holding an ax, a white paramedic holding a medical bag, and a blue police office shining a flashlight into the dark background partially filled with smoke.

Around Town

Watertown Citizens for Black Lives Announces November Meeting

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Watertown Citizens for Black Lives sent out the following information:

Our Mission: Watertown Citizens For Black Lives is a community member organization that campaigns against violence and systemic racism in our local community. Please join us for our monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5 at the Watertown Free Public Library. We are meeting in the Raya Sterns Trustees Room, which is behind the Reference Desk. Newcomers are especially welcome.

Around Town

Watertown Vigil Remembers Victims of Pittsburgh Shooting, Denounce Violence

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The following report was provided by the Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment:

On Tuesday evening Oct. 30, 60 people gathered in Watertown Square to remember the victims of the Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue shooting, and to reaffirm the importance of denouncing violence against all victims of religious, political, racial and gender intolerance. 

Candlelight streamed down Main St. during the vigil organized by Watertown
Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment. Mourners later gathered in a large circle around the delta as First Parish Unitarian minister Mark Harris spoke to the crowd about the increasing hatred spewing across the country, and the urgency with which citizens must speak up and speak out against the acts of violence that surround us. Watertown Citizens President Sue-Ellen Hershman-Tcherepnin then honored the many wounded first-responders and officers, followed by a reading of the names and ages of each of the eleven victims killed in the attack. After a moment of silence, Sue-Ellen read excerpts from the response to the shootings by the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect, emphasizing the need for more than just words or condemnation to combat the pervasive aggression and hatred.

Around Town

Find Out About Hearing Loss at Event Hosted by Marshall Home Fund, Council on Aging

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The following information was provided by the Marshall Home Fund:

The Marshall Home Fund and the Watertown Council on Aging are sponsoring “Hearing Loss 101” — a free presentation for older adults and their service providers — on Friday, Nov. 16 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Watertown Public Library. Hearing loss is a huge issue, affecting approximately one third of 65- to 74-year-olds and one half of people 75 and older. Jonathan O’Dell, an acclaimed speaker who is Director of Communications and Technology Services of the Mass Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, will provide information and answer questions about this important topic. Attendees will learn about the causes of hearing loss, its connection to dementia, and new tools that can make life easier, such as a hearing aid/ smart phone interface and visual smoke, carbon monoxide and doorbell alerts.

Around Town

Historical Society Leading Tours of Historic Watertown House

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The Historical Society of Watertown will lead tours of the historic Edmund Fowle House and the historical exhibits inside on Nov. 18, 2018. The Historical Society of Watertown sent out the following information:

Tours of the 1772 Edmund Fowle House, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., Nov. 18, 2018 at 28 Marshall St., Watertown. Hosted by the Historical Society of Watertown, with the last tour at 3:15 p.m.

Adults: $5; Students/Seniors: $3.

Around Town

Watertown Farmers Market Seeks Input About How It Can be Improved

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Organizers of the Watertown Farmers Market want to hear from residents and others interested in the market to find out what they are doing right and what they would like to see change. 

Since 2014, the Watertown Farmers Market has operated in the spring, summer and fall at various spots in the Arsenal on the Charles. The past few years it has been held in the green in front of the Mosesian Center for the Arts (and Panera Bread). The market features vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, and other products such as pastries, cider and prepared food. Each week, the market also has musical entertainment and a community table featuring a local non-profit group. After being run by a private group, the Town of Watertown took over management of the Farmers Market last year.