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See Designs for Phase 2 of Victory Field Renovations at Community Meeting

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Town of WatertownAn aerial view of Victory Field circa 2018. Residents are invited to learn about Phase 2 of the Victory Field project, which includes the track area, and the tennis and basketball courts, plus more. See the announcement from the City of Watertown. Community Meeting Announcement! Join the Design Team to learn about the Victory Field Phase 2 construction drawings at the Lowell Elementary School Cafeteria on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 6:30pm.

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LETTER: Group Seeks to End the Winter Parking Ban

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Currently, Watertown enforces an overnight parking ban by prohibiting parking longer than one hour between 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM from approximately December through March. The primary rationale for this measure, which is enforced through the issuance of parking tickets, is to allow for better snow removal. The downside to such a ban is that many residents and their guests find themselves unable to store their vehicles anywhere near their homes overnight.  

The Watertown winter parking ban unfairly penalizes those with fewer means who do not have access to off-street parking. During the cold, dark winter months, parents with young children, the elderly, the disabled and many others are asked to walk a mile or two in the dark to go park their car in a remote lot, which then fills up.  

We understand that Watertown officials charged with the responsibility of making our streets safe are calling this a public safety issue, namely that emergency vehicles need to get through and if people park in the street during winter, at night, they cannot.

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Finalists for Arshile Gorky Mural Announced by Watertown Public Arts & Culture Committee

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee:

The Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee (PACC) is excited to announce the three finalists selected to design a mural commemorating Arshile Gorky, a renowned Armenian-American artist who played a pivotal role in the development of Abstract Expressionism. The finalists are:

Tina Chakarian with Nicole Burmeister and Studio Fresh: a collaborative team bringing together a seasoned artist and curator, a talented illustrator, and a contemporary design studio. Brandon Marshall: a U.S. Cultural Ambassador and public artist specializing in murals that engage diverse communities and a focus on historical and cultural elements. Kacy Jackson: a muralist with a strong background in graphic design and a passion for creating inspirational educational experiences. These artists were chosen from a pool of talented applicants based on their artistic abilities, experience, and alignment with the project’s goals.

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Repaving of Mt. Auburn Street Near Cambridge Line Will Include in Lane Shifts, Detours

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Repaving of Mt. Auburn Street begins Wednesday at the Cambridge line, and installation of drainage continues this week. See the details in the announcement provided by the City of Watertown, below. Drainage Installation Work Continues

Newport Construction will continue the drainage work on Mount Auburn Street. The project will continue to work its way towards Arlington St.

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Final Watertown Farmers Market of 2024 This Week

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The Watertown Farmers Market announced the final market of the season will be Wednesday. See the announcement below. Visit this Wednesday to enjoy the Watertown Farmers’ Market one last time for the season. With wonderful root vegetables and all your favorite farmers’ market foods, it’s not a market to be missed! Watertown Farmers’ MarketWednesday 2:30 – 6:00 pm

Rain or ShineSaltonstall Park – Corner of Main St.

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Watertown Restaurants Concerned About Impact of Question 5

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A Vote No on Question 5 T-shirt worn by an employee at Donohue’s Bar & Grill (Contributed Photo)

Local restaurants have spoken out against Question 5 on the State Election ballot, saying that if the ballot measure passes servers and bartenders would make less money, and diners would see higher prices to cover the $15 per hour wages. Employees at Donohue’s Bar & Grill have been wearing T-shirts saying “Protect Tipped Workers: Vote No on Question 5.” Branch Line sent out a letter to customers urging them to vote no on the ballot measure entitled “Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers.” The Watertown Business Coalition and the Charles River Regional Chamber also announced they support voting No on 5. Passage of the ballot measure has been endorsed by Progressive Massachusetts and Progressive Watertown.

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Fitness Studio Hosting Halloween Community Celebration

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The following announcement was provided by Fly Together Fitness:

Get ready to unleash your inner show ghoul! Join us at Fly Together Fitness – Watertown (100 Parker Street) for a Halloween Community Celebration bash with tricks and treats! Check out performances from our students and staff and take a FREE mini class or two!⁠

Whether you want to dance with the undead or just support your local dance community there’s something for everyone. Come as you are or come in costume to add to the experience!  ⁠All attendees are entered into a raffle and will have the opportunity to take advantage of special offers only for those at the event!

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Watertown Square Zoning Discussion Will Include Accessory Units, Household Definition & Neighborhood Mixed Use Zoning

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(Updated Oct. 29: ADUs are limited to single family properties in districts that allow them by right.)

When the zoning changes proposed to make the Watertown Square Area Plan a reality were presented last week, the City Council and Planning Board didn’t get to dig down on a few areas, including accessory dwelling units (i.e. in-law units), what constitutes a household for residential units, and the new Neighborhood Mixed Use zones. City Council President Mark Sideris said he would like to have more discussions about those areas when the public hearing on the Watertown Square zoning continues on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. in City Hall. Another area that Sideris wanted to have discussion about is what happens when a property falls in two different zones including one of the new Watertown Square zones.