Around Town

MBTA Announces New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Service

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The following information was provided by the MBTA:

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) today announced that free service on all modes will be available after 8 PM on December 31 through the end of the service day to help support safe celebrations on New Year’s Eve. Full holiday service schedule information is available at mbta.com/holidays. December 31: Increased New Year’s Eve Service:

·       Subway: All subway lines will operate on a Sunday schedule with increased service after 3 PM. ·       Buses and The RIDE: Buses and The RIDE will operate on a Sunday schedule. ·       Ferry: Charlestown ferry services will end at 6 PM.

Around Town

Watertown’s Main Street Post Office Closing for at Least 2 Years

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The Post Office located on Main Street in Watertown will be closing for an extended period starting in January 2024. The Post Office, located across from the Library at 126 Main St., Watertown, will close while the building where it is located is torn down and replaced with a five-story mixed use building with retail on the ground floor and four stories of residential above. The project was approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals in October. During the hearing for the project, the developers said they had contacted the U.S. Postal Service about designing a new space in the development, and also said there may be a temporary location. Under current plans, there will be no temporary spot in Watertown Square.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Provides $40,000 in Health and Education Grants

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation awarded $40,487 in health and education grants during the fall grant cycle to invest in healthy, bright futures for Watertown’s families and kids. Healthy Watertown Grants Will Keep People Healthy and Save Lives

“We are so impressed by the quality of the proposals we received to address the health and well-being of the Watertown community,” said Emily Barclay, WCF Board Secretary and Healthy Grants Committee Chair. “There is more need in Watertown than we can possibly know. This year’s grants support programs that touch every age group and support some of the most vulnerable people in Watertown.”

The Watertown Community Foundation awarded a total of $7,500 in grants to the Watertown Boys and Girls Club for afternoon snacks, the Watertown Housing Authority for hygiene and cleaning supplies for residents, Enhance Asian Community on Health for a stability movement program for elders, and the Watertown Police Department for the free NARCAN program. Education Program Grants To Enhance the Excellence of Our Schools

“This year we were excited to see so much interest in our Education Grant program.

Around Town

Watertown Man Pilots Special Flight to “North Pole” to Bring Joy to Some Special Children

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Delta Capt. Steve Teager and the Delta North Pole Staff. (Courtesy Photo)

Watertown resident and Delta Airlines Pilot Steve Teager made a special flight recently to spread some holiday joy. Teager, who is a longtime volunteer at the Watertown Food Pantry, flew to the “North Pole” in Detroit to “bring joy to some very special kids and let them ‘just be kids’ for an afternoon!” shared Watertown Food Pantry Coordinator Kathy Cunningham. He was selected to be the Captain by Silverliners International, a charitable organization founded by retired Eastern Airlines flight attendants.

Around Town

Watertown Man Gives Perkins School a Gift Through Cummings Community Giving

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Cummings Properties associate purchasing manager Mike Kashgegian of Watertown gave a gift to Perkins School for the Blind. The following announcement was provided by Cummings Properties:

Holiday cheer is alive at Cummings Properties, where employees just directed nearly half a million dollars to local nonprofits. Through Cummings Community Giving, the regional commercial real estate firm annually invites staff members to each select a local nonprofit to receive up to $2,000 from the Company in their name. The program, now in its 12th year, aims to support the communities where Cummings team members live and work. This cycle’s $495,000 will help fund more than 200 causes in approximately 100 local cities and towns.

Around Town

Trash & Recycling Days for Christmas Week, City Hall Hours

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Watertown DPWWatertown’s trash and recycling toters. The trash and recycling pick up, as well as hours for some City Hall departments will be impacted by the Christmas holiday. The City of Watertown sent out the following information:

Please be aware that due to the Christmas holiday on Monday, December 25, 2023, the trash and recycling pickup schedule for the week is Tuesday, December 26 through Saturday, December 20, 2023. A holiday postpones trash and recycling collection by one day. 

2024 Watertown Trash & Recycling Calendar Out, Includes 1 More Yard Waste Collection

City Hall Hours

Please be aware that on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, the Assessing, City Clerk, and Treasurer/Collector offices at City Hall will be open from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (not 7:00 PM). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the department’s office.

Around Town

See the Holiday Hours for City Hall, Senior Center, Library and DPW

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseA decorated Christmas tree at the Commander’s Mansion Holiday Open House. Watertown’s City Hall and other facilities will be closing for Christmas, and hours on other days will be impacted. The City of Watertown sent out the following information:

Watertown City Hall, Senior Center, and Department of Public Works office are closing at noon on Friday, December 22 and will be closed on Christmas Day, Monday, December 25, 2023. The Library is closed on Sunday, December 24 and Monday, December 25, 2023, and open limited hours on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 from 1 to 7 PM. Please be aware that there is a one delay for trash and recycling pickup for the week due to the holiday.