OBIT: Richard “Riche” Kelly, 84, Retired Watertown Police Officer

Richard “Riche” Kelly

Captain Richard ‘Riche’ Kelly, days short of his 85th birthday, of Watertown and his treasured home on Baker Road in West Yarmouth, passed peacefully on November 15 atNorth Hill in Needham, MA. Riche was the son of the late Michael and Katherine (Cannon) Kelly who immigrated from Ireland in the early 20th century. Riche was the youngest of 5 brothers: the late Watertown Police Chief Joseph P. Kelly (the late Kathleen), Francis Kelly, Vincent Kelly, and James (the late Priscilla). Riche is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Mary Agnes (Fitzgerald). Riche’s enduring legacy is in his love and devotion for his wife and family.

Holiday Mixer & Toy Drive to be Hosted by Rotary & Watertown Business Coalition

The following information was provided by the Rotary Club of Watertown and the WBC:

The 2nd Annual Holiday Mixer and Toy Drive, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Watertown and the Watertown Business Coalition will take place at the Mosesian Center for the Arts! 

Light Bites will be served

Cash bar

Admission is free to anyone bringing a toy to donate

Those coming without a toy are encouraged to bring a $20 (or more) donation to the Whooley Foundation

The event will be held on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the lobby of the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown. Anyone interested in becoming a food or entertainment sponsor for this event should email Kim Severino at: Hello@elationmeetingsandevents.com

RSVP Here!

LETTER: Watertown Affordable Housing an Inside Story, Part Three

Has Watertown already fully or partially complied with the MBTA Law? How can I get involved in making Watertown Square a more attractive and vibrant city center? Watertown has been a leader, along with Boston, Cambridge and Everett in permitting more than half the multifamily housing units in the Greater Boston area, according to “Greater Boston Housing Report Card”…The Boston Foundation. Watertown is cited in a 2019 Boston Globe article entitled “NIMBY? Not These Cities and Towns.” As a matter of fact, Watertown may have already complied with its housing zoning mandate for the MBTA Law, because, in reality, that is the point of the MBTA Law … to zone for more housing.

LETTER: Housing Need + Empty Storefronts = Opportunity

To the editor of Watertown News. There is clearly a profound shortage of affordable housing nationwide and here in Watertown. At the same time there is a huge number of empty storefronts everywhere. What is being done to convert at least al portion of those vacant commercial properties into residences? It seems an obvious solution — most storefronts are in areas served by mass transit so would suit individuals or families who can’t afford or don’t want cars.

Schedule for Watertown Square Design Workshops Released

The City of Watertown released details of the Watertown Square Area Design Charrette, and what times the public can come and participate over the three days. The City sent out the following information:

We are excited to share this invitation to attend one or more of the working group sessions at the Watertown Square Area Design Charrette on November 29 and 30, 2023. Each session will focus on a key issue in developing a Watertown Square Area Plan; these sessions are in addition to the drop-in opportunities and general meetings scheduled during the three-day charrette. All working group sessions will be held on the 2nd floor at 64 Pleasant Street. 

A charrette is a collaborative planning process during which an interdisciplinary team of planners, designers, transportation experts, city officials, residents, business owners, other interested people, and most importantly you, work together to create a shared design vision of a particular area. 

The charrette will start Tuesday evening, November 28, 2023 (6:30pm – 8:30pm), with an existing conditions analysis, feedback from the Kitchen Table Conversations (KTCs), and a summary of results from the Polis survey (you can participate in the Polis at https://pol.is/6vbuxzxrff through November 17, 2023).On November 29 and 30, 2023 (during the morning and afternoon), the project team and City staff will invite input from the community and interested groups through the working group meetings, as the team sketches options for Watertown Square’s challenges. On the second evening, there is an “interim progress drop-in session” for members of the public to see and informally discuss the day’s work. During the final evening (November 30), the consultant team will present scenarios that will inform the next phase of our project and vision of Watertown Square.

LETTER: Watertown Affordable Housing an Inside Story, Part Two

By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Is There Any Other Way? – What other Strategies can we use to add to Watertown’s housing stock? People, there just has to be a better way or a combination of better ways for us to provide affordable housing and grow our community. Here are just four possible approaches:

1) One way that we could add significantly to affordable housing units in Watertown would be by banning STR’s (short term rentals … AirB&B’s) in Watertown. There are hundreds of them in Watertown.

OBIT: Thomas E. McVey, 60, Owner of T.H. McVey Stone Company

Thomas McVey

The following piece is from Farmer & Dee Funeral Home:

Thomas E. McVey, age 60 a longtime Tewksbury resident, and devout communicant of St. William’s Parish, passed away surrounded by family on Thursday, November 9, 2023, following a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Brighton, MA on November 28, 1962, he was the son of the late Thomas H. McVey, III and the late Joan F. (Shaughnessy) McVey. Tom was raised in Tewksbury, attended Tewksbury schools, and graduated from Tewksbury Memorial High School in 1981. Following high school, Tom continued the legacy of his forefathers and followed in the McVey family footsteps to become the latest generation of his family to operate the T.H. McVey Stone Company in Watertown, which was founded by his great grandfather in 1905.

LETTER: Watertown Group Calling for End of Hostilities in Palestine & Israel

The Peace and Common Security Working Group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment and Massachusetts Peace Action will be sponsoring a Standout for Humanitarian Aid, Ceasefire, and Negotiations. We seek an end to the hostilities and killing in Palestine and Israel. Killings and oppressions by whatever means in the Middle East are unjustifiable. This includes murder, taking of hostages, holding political prisoners, bombing of civilian targets, blockades, unlawful annexations of land, harassments by illegal settlers, and withholding of humanitarian aid. The current position of most American politicians who support the Israeli government unconditionally is equally unjustifiable.