Environment

Watertown Residents Can Take Part in Home Solar Discount Program

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From June 15, 2016, to December 31, 2016, Neighborhood Solar offers the communities of Watertown, Cambridge, Belmont, Arlington, and Somerville a solar group purchase discount program, according to resident Jocelyn Tager. Massachusetts continues to provide excellent incentives for installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, and the federal government has extended the 30 percent tax credit on renewable energy systems, including solar PV and solar hot water systems. The goal of Neighborhood Solar is to combine these incentives and tax credits with the best solar prices and the best solar quality and craftsmanship. With this in mind, Neighborhood Solar asked SunBug Solar to be its installer. For the first time, Neighborhood Solar is offering solar hot water systems in addition to photovoltaic systems. Compared to the current cost of residential solar installations in Massachusetts, Neighborhood Solar’s base price on eligible PV systems represents a discount of 23 percent; for solar hot water systems the discount is over 25 percent. Friends and neighbors using this program can reduce their electrical bill, reduce their carbon footprint, become more energy independent, and invest in renewable energy.

CVS Trees

LETTER: Trees Dying, Planted Incorrectly at New CVS in East Watertown

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To the Editor:

This week Councilor Angie Kounelis brought to Watertown’s official attention the terrible condition of brand new landscaping in the East End CVS parking lot. Trees for Watertown asks Watertown citizens to join in demanding a strong municipal response. The landscaping plan in the CVS parking lot was approved by the Planning Board and Planning Department. But what Watertown approved was a pretty picture, not a functional plan, and Watertown is now reaping the ugly consequences. 1.

Environment

Places Sought to Install Green Infrastructure to Cut Stormwater Going to River

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Spots around town are being considered to put “green infrastructure” projects that will reduce the amount of rain runoff going into the storm sewers and eventually into the Charles River. Tuesday night, consultants working with the town presented more than 20 options for places on town-owned property where project such as rain gardens, tree trenches that collect stormwater or permeable pavement can be installed. The efforts grew out of the town’s need to meet new, more stringent stormwater regulations from the federal government, which requires the town to reduce the amount of pollutants, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, going into the river. The water going into storm drains does not get treated before going into the river. Interested residents filled the Town Council chamber to hear more about the effort.

Environment

Two Watertown Students Win MWRA’s Poster Contest

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The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority is pleased to announce that two second-grade students at the J.R. Lowell School, Watertown have won MWRA’s annual poster contest. Emma Rose Noe won Second Place and Samantha Salvador won Third Place. This year, students across the MWRA service area were challenged to create posters that show how tap water is used for chores around the house. An awards ceremony was held on Friday, May 27, 2016 at the Deer Island Treatment Plant. The Town of Watertown Water and Sewer Superintendent Jay Pelletier attended to congratulate the winners.

Environment

Find Out About Green Infrastructure, and How It Keeps the Charles River Clean

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Come learn about how to making greener streets will help keep the Charles River cleaner during a workshop hosted by the Watertown Department of Public Works and the Stormwater Advisory Committee. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21 at Town Hall, in the Council Chambers. When it rains, the runoff from Watertown driveways and streets goes into the stormwater system, which ends up draining into the Charles River – untreated, said Watertown Public Works Superintendent Gerald Mee. “We need to educate people, if you drop your dog waste in the storm drain it goes to the river,” Mee said. Another major concern that might not occur to residents is grass clippings, which have chemicals – including phosphorous – which is a major pollutant of the Charles River.

Environment

Ban of Single-Use Plastic Bags in Watertown Approved by Council

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Businesses in Watertown will no longer be able to give customers single-use plastic bags when the ordinance approved by the Town Council takes effect next year. 

Tuesday night, the Council deliberated for more than an hour on details of the legislation, called the Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance, before passing it 8-0. Councilor Ken Woodland voted “present.” The ban will go into effect on July 1, 2017. Businesses will be able to sell paper bags for a small charge to customers or offer reusable bags for sale. A single-use bag is considered one less than 4 mils (thousands of an inch) in thickness. Those businesses violating the ban can be fined $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and $300 for the third more more offense.

Around Town

Hundreds of Volunteers Clean Up Charles River for Earth Day

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On Saturday, April 30, over 300 people volunteered in Watertown as part of the 17th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup. In a collaboration led by Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), over 3,000 volunteers from 133 groups throughout the watershed worked together to remove litter and debris as well as eradicate invasive species in an effort to beautify the Charles River and surrounding parklands, the CRWA announced. For 17 years the Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup has provided thousands of volunteers an opportunity to serve as parkland stewards at sites throughout the Charles River watershed including in Watertown. Through their service, volunteers deepen their connection to the Charles River while increasing their commitment to protect it. On Saturday, participants joined thousands of volunteers across Massachusetts who came together for Park Serve Day MassParks’ annual statewide day of volunteer service.

DPW

Town Hosting Event to Recycle Styrofoam, Tires and Shred Paper

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The Watertown Department of Public Works will hold a recycling event and paper shredding in May. The event will be on Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Watertown Recycle Center on 76 Stanley Ave., Watertown, (off of Waltham Street). The event features:

Paper Shredding

Styrofoam collection

Tires – NO RIMS

This event is open to Watertown residents.