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Clean Heat Bill in the Legislature to be Discussed by Watertown Group

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Wikimedia Commons / ChensiyuanMassachusetts State House. Watertown Faces Climate Change will host a discussion called “Beyond Gas: The Future of Clean Heat.” The group provided the information, below. Learn how this important Massachusetts bill will pivot us towards a future beyond gas and how to advocate for this critical change. Following the presentation, lead co-sponsor of the bill, Rep. Steve Owens will share his goals and perspective.

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LETTER: City Should Have Council President’s Plaque Removed from Arsenal Yards

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George Proakis, ManagerCity of Watertown149 Main StreetWatertown, Massachusetts 02472

Dear Mr. Proakis:

I am writing after seeing Ms. Maloney’s article in Charles Breitrose’s On Line Newspaper expressing several concerns surrounding Arsenal Yards; especially the Brothel that operated from a property located in Arsenal Yards. She brings to our attention the bronze portrait of Mark Sideris which reads “without Mark Sideris Arsenal Yards and All that surrounds it may not have been realized.” Given the portrait and the citation, I surmise that is why she says, given Mark’s importance, he should know about everything that is happening on the property. I do not see any reason why Mark would know or anticipate all of the businesses Boylston Properties had already arranged leases with, nor those who would later sign leases. Until Ms. Maloney’s letter I had not seen anything written or in print about the bronze portrait of Mark on the property. And, even though I had serious concerns about singling out the Council President from the other Councilors, I remained quiet.

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LETTER: A Chilly Reception From Housing Advocates

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Let’s go back to April 25, 2024, when I visited the April Watertown Democratic Town Committee Meeting. The Watertown Democratic Town Committee Meeting:

One of my public meeting stops was the Watertown Democratic Town Committee (WDTC) Meeting to see what they had on their minds. I noticed that Dan Pritchard, one of the four founders of Housing for All Watertown (HAW) was going to be speaking. I was interested. I want to thank the WDTC for being so welcoming to this “Independent” voter.

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LETTER: Meeting TONIGHT on Future of Former Trampoline Park

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There is a VERY IMPORTANT meeting of the Planning Board tonight, May 8, at 7 p.m. regarding the 10-30 Manley Way proposed development. This is the site of the former Launch Trampoline Park and the Boston Rhythmic Dance Studio, which has been vacant for some time. There was a community meeting on September 5, 2023 that almost never happened. It was found out that our city rules needed to be amended so that a conversion of a 95,000 building required a community meeting for any type of change in such a building, not in just a newly planned one. About 70 plus residents attended this meeting via Zoom and the myriad of questions raised was quite impressive.

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Watertown Pride 2024 Parade Route, Festival at Saltonstall Park

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The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

A parade and festival for Watertown Pride is planned for Sunday, June 2, 2024. All are invited to meet at the Moxley parking lot beginning at 11:45 a.m. or join in along the parade route! The parade will start at noon and lead to a festival at Saltonstall Field until 5 p.m.

Watertown Pride 2024: Loud, Proud, Island-Bound is an inclusive, all-ages event that celebrates our LGBTQIA+ communities. 

It is free and open to everyone on Sunday, June 2, 2024 from 12 to 5 p.m.The event kicks off with a parade at noon that will begin at Moxley parking lot and travel along the Watertown Community Path to a festival at Saltonstall Park. 

There will also be a Tipsy Tea Party on June 23 at the Commander’s Mansion from 11:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m. See more information about this and the other Watertown Pride 2024 events at www.WatertownPride.com

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Watertown Peace Group Hosting “Understanding Palestine & Witnessing Reality” Educational Event

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment:

The Peace and Security Working Group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment announces “Understanding Palestine & Witnessing Reality” on May 11 at 2 p.m. at the Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church, 80 Mt. Auburn St. The free educational event features Rev. Ashlee West-Laird who will share her experiences on a recent solidarity delegation to the Holy Land. Currently pastor at the First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain, Rev. Ashlee has also served as the Southern Baptist chaplain at Harvard University and worked in Jerusalem with Sabeel Liberation Theology Center and the Middle East Council of Churches. Short films providing context about the current situation in Gaza and the West Bank will also be shown.

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LETTER: Let’s Take More Time to Consider Watertown Housing Plan

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Lately, I’ve been attending public meetings, and I’ve been speaking with citizens about their thoughts and feelings about development plans in Watertown Square. The Watertown Square Plan and its Moving Parts:

As most of you know, in response to the State’s MBTA Communities Law, which requires Watertown to zone for 1701 new multifamily housing units, Watertown City Manager George Proakis and the Department of Community Development and Planning (DCDP) have been enthusiastically over-achieving. First, they proposed zoning for 6,320 new housing units instead of the State mandated 1701. They justified this momentous decision to more than triple the housing units by referring to a straw poll of 75 Watertown citizens and nonresidents who chose the 6,320 option. (See Democracy Dismantled One Poll and Survey at a Time, click here)

The choices that the City Manager and the DCDP gave the Watertown public for this vote:

6,320 housing units by right or

2,631 housing units by right

There was no option for 1,701 units – the number actually mandated by the MBTA zoning law.

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Armenian Church Hosting Boston Children’s Hospital Blood Drive

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The following announcement came from Armenian Memorial Church:

Boston Children’s Hospital will host a blood drive at Armenian Memorial Church on Saturday, May 11. The event takes place at the church located at 32 Bigelow Ave. in Watertown from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 11. Donate today and be a part of the wonderful blessing and care that Boston Children’s Hospital Provides for children and their families! To make an appointment, log onto bostonchildrens.org/halfpints or call 617-355-6677.