Around Town

Learn About Colonial Burying Grounds at Watertown Historical Society Event

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The Historical Society of Watertown announced it will host a Talk on Colonial Burying Grounds on Wednesday, March 21, 2018

The Society sent out the following information:

Barbara Donohue will give a talk with slideshow on “Colonial Burying Grounds: Interpreting the Passed for the Present,” at the Watertown Free Public Library at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 in the Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room. The library is located in Watertown Square at 123 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Ms. Donahue is a Registered Professional Archaeologist and received her Master’s Degree in History/Historic Archaeology from UMASS Boston. While a graduate student she volunteered working at the Granary Burying Ground. She will talk about the function of the burying ground in Puritan society and tell how changing attitudes towards death and a changing society are reflected in the physical landscape of the burying ground.

Around Town

Registry of Motor Vehicles to Close for a Few Days Later in March

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) has announced that all RMV services, with the exception of law enforcement, will be unavailable from 7 p.m., March 22 until 8 a.m. March 26 due to the RMV changing over a new computer system that will allow the RMV to comply with federal and state mandates. In addition inspection station locations will be unable to conduct motor vehicle inspections on March 23, 24 or 25, RMV on-line services will be unavailable, and RMV service locations will be closed. The Registry’s new computer system will enable the Commonwealth to issue federally mandated REAL ID credentials to members of the public who will need a REAL ID credential. REAL ID is a Federal Security Standard for IDs that was created in 2005 as a result of the increased federal security measures after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The new computer system will also have enhanced customer-centric features and more efficient process elements for access by law enforcement, the insurance industry, government entities and professionals who need to engage the Registry.  The current RMV system is more than 30 years old.

Around Town

Snow Emergency Declared in Watertown for Wednesday’s Snow Storm & Beyond

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The Watertown Department of Public Works has declared a Snow Emergency, meaning on-street parking will be banned. The Snow Emergency begins at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 and is in effect until further notice. Cars will not be allowed to be parked on the streets of Watertown at any time, and those on the street are subject to towing. See options for parking your car if you do not have off-street parking and more information about the snow emergency below in the announcement from the Watertown DPW:

A winter weather event is predicted with high winds and between 3 to 6 inches of snow accumulation and potentially 8 to 10 inches depending upon where the storm’s rain/snow line forms. The Superintendent of Public Works has declared a snow emergency effective 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, 2018 and will remain in effect until further notice. Parking Ban – On street parking will be banned and any motor vehicle left on the street will be subject to towing until further notice.

Around Town

Utilities: Combination of Factors Brought Down Utility Poles on Arsenal St.

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A mix of strong winds and the force of one pole falling led to the failure of several poles on Arsenal Street during last week’s Nor’easter, according to the utilities. The utility poles along Arsenal Street are co-owned by Verizon and Eversource, said Howard Waterman, from Verizon Corporate Communications. “We jointly own those poles with Eversource, and we worked quickly with them and others attached to the poles to clear the area and restore Verizon service to those impacted,” Waterman said. Eversource spokesman Michael Durand said that a combination of factors led to the multiple broken poles. “The damage was storm related, with strong wind gusts initially snapping one pole that had four transformers on it,” Durand said.

Around Town

Group Invites Public to Learn About Effort to Create an Effective Dialogue on Issues Facing the Community

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The organizers of a new effort to have creating effective community dialogue about some of the more difficult issues that face Watertown will host an informational evening on what Community Conversations are about. 

The session builds on successful programs in use by cities and towns nationwide to help community leaders, residents, and other stakeholders engage with one another in inclusive ways that lead to more widely supported decisions, according to the announcement. • Learn about what other communities are doing;
• Experience effective methods of engaging in dialogue about complex, emerging or controversial local issues;
• Identify interest in promoting more effective dialogue in our community. • Identify topics and issues in our community that may benefit from such community discussions. The Community Conversations group met with about 25 community leaders last year, and now have received funding from the Watertown Community Foundation to run the program in Watertown, said former Town Councilor Cecilia Lenk, who is working with the group. The group will hold another program focusing on Facilitator Training in the late spring or early fall, Lenk said.

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Sign Up Now for the Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Public Safety Academy

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Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian has announced applications are now available for youngsters wishing to participate in the 2018 Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA)

In its 19th year, YPSA is a safe and educational, low-cost summer camp option for Middlesex County families. The camp is open to children ages 8-12 and is held at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Training Academy in Chelmsford. “Year after year, YPSA is one of our most successful community programs,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “YPSA is an exciting opportunity for youngsters to learn valuable public safety lessons in a fun-filled environment supported not only by our own staff, but our local law enforcement and fire department partners.”

YPSA is comprised of six, one-week camps beginning on July 9.  Transportation to and from designated bus stops, as well as lunch are provided daily, with a graduation ceremony held each Friday in Chelmsford. Participants are not required to reside in one of the communities with a designated bus stop, but will be picked up and dropped off at those locations.

Around Town

Mothers Tie the Knot Before Their Child is Born at Mt. Auburn Hospital

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Christine Size and Kelly Kerber’s baby was not due until March 17, 2018, so the Watertown couple arranged to be married Feb. 28th by Watertown Justice of the Peace, Debra L. Smith Attorney at Law. But, the baby had other plans, according to the Mount Auburn Hospital. The night before the marriage date, when Christine Size was at her prenatal yoga class her water broke. Committed to being wed before the baby was born, the couple called the Justice of the Peace and rescheduled the ceremony for this morning in the front of Mount Auburn Hospital.

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Tickets Available for Watertown Boys & Girls Club’s Auction, Sponsors Sought

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Watertown Boys & Girls Club will host their Annual Spring Auction this year on Thursday, April 26 at 6:00 p.m. This yearly event raises crucial funds for the organization, including over $10,000 for summer camp scholarships. The event will be held at the Oakley Country Club and will include a silent and live auction, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and a performance by Club members! Tickets can be purchased online at http://events.eventzilla.net/e/2018-annual-spring-auction-2138943105. Those interested in donating an auction item or sponsoring the event are encouraged to reach out to the Club’s Director of Marketing and Special Events, Kristina Norris at knorris@watertownbgc.org.