Around Town

LETTER: State Legislature Should Go Back Into Session and Pass Multiple Bills

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I was excited this year for our state to finally have a Democratic governing trifecta, with a Democrat leading in all three offices of Governor, Senate, and the House. However, this trifecta has been much less productive in passing legislature than I expected. As has become the norm on Beacon Hill, the House and Senate ran out the clock on many important priorities, adjourning on the morning of August 1st with a long list of unfinished business. After the hottest summer on record, they didn’t manage to pass a climate bill. Several other bills, among them economic development bills and bills to address the Steward crisis, are stuck in potentially dead-end negotiations, and that’s not to mention all the common-sense bills that never even made it that far.

Around Town

Update on Arsenal Street Paving Project, Which Begins Aug. 19

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Please read this updated information about Arsenal Street Paving and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Traffic Advisory regarding Greenough Boulevard:

Arsenal St. paving is scheduled for August 19-24, 2024, from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM (hours may be extended) (from Greenough Blvd to School Street) and School Street (from Arsenal Street to 76 School Street). There will be “No Parking” signs posted. Avoid parking in these areas. Access to driveways and the road being worked on will be limited during paving to allow for time for asphalt to cool.

Around Town

Watertown Advocate for People with Disabilities to Receive Highest Honor in Field of Blindness

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Kim Charlson, executive director of the Perkins School for the Blind’s Library. She will receive the highest honor from the American Foundation for the Blind. (Courtesy of Perkins School)

Longtime director of the Perkins Library and chair of the Watertown Commission on Disability Kim Charlson, has garnered honors and accolades, and later this year she will receive one more when she receives the highest honor in the field of blindness. In September, the Watertown resident will receive the 2024 Migel Medal at the American Foundation for the Blind’s (AFB) annual leadership conference, along with Susan Mazrui. “It is an honor to recognize these two outstanding leaders, who have spent their lives making the world more inclusive and accessible for those who are blind or have low vision,” AFB President and CEO Eric Bridges said in announcement about the award.

Around Town

Gold Kings Hockey Team Hosting Youth Street Hockey Tourney

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The following information was provided by Gold Kings Hockey, Watertown’s semi-pro hockey team:

Please join us Saturday, August 31st at the street hockey rink at Moxley Field in Watertown for a day filled with fun and competitive youth street hockey! *More details to come

Register now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bgk-youth-street-hockey-tournament-registration-965293578077

Email goldkingshockey@gmail.com if you are interested in being a sponsor or donating to the event! Season Sponsors

Now is your chance to support Greater Boston’s only semi-pro hockey team! We have several sponsorship opportunities available ranging from $100-$5,000 for the 24/25 the season. Please reach out and we will send you our NEW Sponsorship Packet!

Around Town

Section of Greenough Boulevard Will Reopen to Traffic

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A screenshot of a Google Map showing the section of Greenough Boulevard that will reopen after being closed by the DCR for recreation use. It stretches from North Beacon Street to Arsenal Street. The following announcement was provided by the Department of Conservation and Recreation:

Beginning on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 7 a.m. and continuing until Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 7 p.m. the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will reopen Greenough Boulevard from Arsenal Street to N. Beacon Street in the City of Watertown to alleviate traffic from roadwork on Arsenal Street. Beginning on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 7 p.m. DCR will close Greenough Boulevard between Arsenal Street and N. Beacon Street to accommodate sewer line repair work. While the work is ongoing the parking lots at these intersections will remain open.

Around Town

City Manager Clarifies City’s Role in Dispute Between Day Care and Boys & Girls Club

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Watertown City Manager George Proakis. [UPDATED: The story was updated on Aug. 15 at 8 a.m. about the status of the building permit.]

City Manager George Proakis weighed in on the City of Watertown’s role in the ongoing strife between First Path Day Care Center and the Watertown Boys & Girls Club over the space leased to the daycare provider. He said he was limited in how much he could say because First Path has ongoing suits against the City. The dispute over First Path’s lease at the Watertown Boys & Girls Club became public in recent weeks, first with a letter from the Boys & Girls Club leaders saying they have plans to expand the Club’s program but the day care has not left the space after its lease expired.