Around Town

Date for Next Meeting on Watertown Square Area Design Announced

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Watertown Square Area Plan project team invites you to attend our next Public Meeting on Thursday, February 29, 2024, beginning 6:30 PM at 64 Pleasant St, Watertown, MA 02472. 

Following the October kickoff meeting and the November Charrette series, the project team has been busy reviewing the ideas discussed and developing proposed roadway configurations, urban design concepts, and zoning options for the Square. This public meeting will summarize feedback from previous events and continue the conversation with residents, businesses, and other members of the community. The project team will discuss updated scenarios and dive into recommendations based on this evolving conversation. Following this public meeting, the project team will incorporate feedback and present the recommendations and plan in Spring 2024. More details on the meeting agenda and virtual participation opportunities will be released closer to the meeting date.

Around Town

Hear How Watertown is Tackling the Growing Problem of Hunger at a Live Roundtable Discussion

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After the ceiling collapsed in the church that hosts the Watertown Food Pantry, pickup was moved outside for several weeks. (Photo by Kathy Cunningham)

A lack of food has long been a problem for some Watertown residents, but the number of people worried about going hungry increased during the Pandemic and the numbers have only declined slightly in the past few years. On Feb. 12, Watertown News and Watertown Cable Access Television will host a live discussion with some of the people working on the problem of food insecurity in town. The Watertown Food Pantry has seen the number of families served each week double from pre- to post-pandemic.

Around Town

Retiring Board of Health Member Honored by Council, New Member Appointed

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GradientDr. Barbara Beck. The City Council recently honored Watertown Board of Health board member Barbara Beck for her 28 years of service. When she announced her retirement from the Board of Health, the City Council passed a proclamation honoring Beck. “I’ve been really honored to serve on the Board of Health,” Beck said. “We started off working on hazardous materials recycling form auto body shops all they way through the pandemic to biotechs, it’s been a learning experience and an honor to be able to serve the people of this community.”

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Offering Youth Sports League Grants

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

On February 1, the Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) opened the 2024 application process to provide financial support to Watertown’s youth sports leagues so any child can play a league sport, regardless of ability to play. Applications for Youth Sports Leagues will be accepted until February 28, 2024

These grants provide funding to eligible organizations to help pay for participation and equipment for student athletes who otherwise can’t afford to play. Examples of programs eligible for Youth Sports Leagues Grants include:

Baseball/Softball

Football/Cheerleading

Soccer

Basketball

Lacrosse

Hockey

You can learn more about how to apply for Youth Sports Leagues Grants here. Applications will be accepted until February 28.  

About Watertown Community Foundation 

The Watertown Community Foundation works to build and sustain a vibrant, close-knit community in Watertown – now, and for future generations.

Around Town

February at the Library: Winter Concert, Photography, See Packing Party & More

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Watertown LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Free Public Library has many programs coming up in February. See details from the newsletter provided by the WFPL. Watertown artist and fine art photographer Archy LaSalle is the founder of WHERE ARE ALL THE BLACK PEOPLE AT, a grassroots organization whose mission is to bring attention to and help art institutions rectify past injustices of under-representing Black and Brown artists in their permanent collections. On Wednesday, 2/28, he’ll join us for an invigorating presentation about cultural institutions and representation at WFPL!

Around Town

How Unenrolled Voters Can Request a Vote-by-Mail Ballot

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

If you are voter filling out the Unenrolled Vote by Mail Application and you are NOT enrolled in a Party, you must select a Ballot type for the Primary elections on March 5, 2024 and September 3, 2024. 

To receive a primary ballot by mail, you must choose a Democratic, Republican, or Libertarian ballot. The application is incomplete and cannot be processed without a ballot selection and the voter’s signature. Please call the City Clerk at 617-715-8686 for help answering your questions.