Environment

Watertown Residents Can Request Trees to be Planted by the Town

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The Watertown Tree Warden has trees that can be planted free in front of or in the near front yard of residential properties in town, but the deadline for signing up is coming up. The Tree Warden’s office sent out the following information:

If you are interested in a tree being planted in front of your home or on your own private property, within 20 feet of the back of the sidewalk, please send an email with your top 3 choices to the Tree Warden, Chris Hayward, by October 13, 2017 at chayward@watertown-ma.gov.

He will try to accommodate your choice selection but if any of your choices are not suitable for your location, he will advise a more suitable species from this list. If you had requested a tree in the spring but did not receive one at that time, your name and location was moved onto the list of recipients for the Fall of 2017. Small and Front Yard trees

(Name, height, spread)

Kwanzan cherry ‘Royal burgandy’ Prunus serrulata 15′ to 25′ 15′ to 25′

Shantung maple Acer truncatum “Shantung” 20′ to 25′ 15′ to 25′

Japanese Tree Lilac Syringa reticulata 20′ to 30′ 10′ to 15′

Snowgoose cherry Prunus “Snowgoose” 15′ to 20′ 15′ to 20′

Ornamental Crabapple Species varies 15′ to 25′ 15′ to 25′

Medium sized trees

Yoshino cherry Prunus yedoensis 20′ to 40′ 15′ to 30′

Sun valley maple Acer rubrum “Sun Valley” 20′ to 40′ 20′ to 30′

Large Shade Trees

Pin oak Quercus palustris 50′ to 70′ 30′ to 40′

Red oak Quercus rubra 75′ to 100′ 60′ to 75′

White oak Quercus alba 50′ to 80′ 50′ to 80′

Elm “Princeton” Ulmus spp. 50′ to 70′ 30′ to 50′

Ginko Ginko biloba 50′ to 80′ 35′ to 45′

October glory red maple Acer rubrum 40′ to 50′ 20′ to 35′

Red Sunset maple Acer rubrum 40′ to 50′ 20′ to 35′

Autumn blaze red maple Acer rubrum 40′ to 50′ 30′ to 40′

Redpointe maple Acer rubrum “Frank Jr” 35′ to 45′ 20′ to 30′

Black gum Nyssa sylvatica 40′ to 65′ 30′ to 40′

Environment

Free Reusable Shopping Bags Available at Watertown Library

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The Watertown Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance went into effect on July 1, 2017, and the group that proposed the ordinance wants to remind residents that they can get a free reusable shopping bag. 

Free canvas shopping bags are still available for Watertown residents at the Watertown Public Library, 123 Main St., during regular library hours, according to ReThink Plastic. Ask for your bag at the Circulation Desk. You can also get paper door hangers to remind you to bring your shopping bags with you and educational brochures.

Environment

Teen Tree Stewards Care for Town’s Trees, Learn About More Than Just Nature

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Half a dozen young nature enthusiasts have taken to the streets of Watertown this summer with a mission of caring for the town’s street trees and spreading the word about the importance of urban trees. 

The six teens are part in the Watertown Teen Tree Stewardship Program, which is sponsored by Trees for Watertown, a citizens group committed to protecting and promoting trees in town. Each day, the group has an activity. Sometimes it is looking around town for street trees that are in need of help, other times it is learning about trees and nature, and sometimes they are promoting their program, said David Meshoulam, founder and coordinator of the program. As Meshoulam drives the group around town, the former Newton North High School science teacher points out a “beautiful beech” or a tree that has not been properly planted. The teens have been keeping track of trees around town.

Charity

Paddle to Work and Raise Money for Charles River Watershed Association

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On Friday, July 28, people will paddle the Charles River on their way to work to celebrate a healthy river and raise funds for Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA). People participating in Paddle to Work Day hosted by Charles River Canoe and Kayak will kayak from Soldier’s Field Road in Allston/Brighton 5 miles downstream to Kendall Square in Cambridge. Individuals who work in Kendall Square will have paddled to work, while others can take public transportation to their desired destinations. People can purchase tickets for the event at paddleboston.com/paddle2work and may reserve a single or double kayak or sign up to bring their own boat. Charles River Canoe and Kayak will donate all ticket proceeds to Charles River Watershed Association to support its work protecting and restoring the Charles River.

Government

Price of Extra Recycling Toters Reduced in New Trash/Recycling Contract

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Advocates of recycling got good news Tuesday night when the Town Council approved the new trash and recycling removal contract – toters 50 percent off. Residents in Watertown get one green recycling toter, which is collected every two weeks. For some this is not enough and the bin overflows. When Republic Services came to present the new contract at the June 14 Town Council meeting a number of Councilors said they hoped the price of an additional toter could be reduced from the $180 charged in the contract that ends June 30, 2017. Tuesday night, Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced that in the time since the last meeting Town officials negotiated a new price for the additional recycling toters with Republic Services.

Around Town

Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance Starts Soon, See How to Get Your Free Bag

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On Saturday, July 1, 2017, Watertown’s Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance will take effect, meaning that single-use plastic bags will no longer be given out by stores. The group that originally proposed the new rules will provide free bags to residents and has spread the word about the new ordinance. The ordinance first came to the Town Council from the ReThink Plastic citizen’s group more than four years ago. The Council’s Rules & Ordinances subcommittee worked with members of ReThink Plastic to draft the ordinance that was ultimately approved by the Town Council in June 2016. “The Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance will help make Watertown a healthier place to live and will help reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the Charles River and in our trees and parks,” said ReThink Plastic member Eileen Ryan.

Environment

Watertown High Grad Playing in Lacrosse National Title Game With Merrimack

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This weekend, Watertown’s Danny Loprete will take the field at Gillette Stadium with his Merrimack College teammates to play for the NCAA Div. II lacrosse national championship. 

The WHS graduate is a senior on the Warriors team which will make the school’s first ever appearance in the national championship game. The midfielder and face-off man scored two goals and had two assists this year. He also won 56 of 101 face offs and 26 ground balls. Merrimack, ranked fourth nationally, beat No.