Around Town

Council Approves Funding for A/C at Middle School, Printers for City Clerk’s Office

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

The basement and first floor of Watertown Middle School will be getting air conditioning after the City Council approved funding last week. Over the last few years the Middle School’s HVAC system has been updated floor by floor, and the basement and first floor are the final areas to be upgraded, said City Manager George Proakis. On Oct. 10, the Council approved borrowing $315,000 which will be used by the Public Buildings Department to design and complete the work by the spring of 2024. There was already $72,000 in funding for the project in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan.

Around Town

Watertown Group Hosts Forum Titled “Make Polluters Pay”

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The following announcement was provided by Progressive Watertown and Watertown Faces Climate Change:

Are you interested in how we as a community can respond to climate challenges? Please join us for a Forum on Make Polluters Pay at the Watertown Public Library on Sunday, October 22 at 2 p.m.

Representative Steve Owens; Laurel Schwab, Watertown Senior Environmental Planner; and Dan Zackin, 350 MASS Legislative Coordinator will discuss how An Act Establishing a ClimateChange Superfund Promoting Polluter Responsibility will help Watertown and other communities across the state to adapt to climate change. Following the discussion, additional activities will be available and light refreshments will be served. The event is sponsored by Progressive Watertown and Watertown Faces Climate Change.

Around Town

OP-ED: MBTA has Terrible Track Record of Providing Service to Watertown Square

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An MBTA Bus drives through Watertown Yard. (Photo by Mark Pickering)

By Mark Pickering

The city is out to revitalize Watertown Square and has set out a series of meetings aimed at getting feedback from the general public. The overall effort will look at making the square more attractive to walkers, merchants and developers looking to address the housing crisis. The issue of transportation is a key part of the package. Even our urban neighbors note that car traffic has taken over Watertown Square – which could be the worst such intersection in Greater Boston.

Around Town

Our History: Edmund Fowle II and His House

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This pre-19th century depiction of the Fowle House, complete with horse and individual dressed in period attire was done by 16 year old Jordan Piantedosi and presented to the Historical Society during the closing ceremony of Treaty Day 2004. (Photo courtesy of Joyce Kelly)

This article is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Joyce Kelly, Board member of the Historical Society of Watertown. Joyce writes articles for the newsletter and is the newsletter editor. This was published in our October 2007 newsletter, “The Town Crier.”

Around Town

Watch Videos from This Week’s Council President Forums, Catch the School Committee Hopefuls Monday

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The candidates running for City Council President appeared in two candidate forums this week. Don’t worry if you missed them, you can watch the replays. Also, Monday night, the five School Committee candidates will appear in a live forum. On Wednesday night incumbent Mark Sideris and challenger Clyde Younger responded to questions on a variety of subjects during the candidate forum sponsored by Watertown News and Watertown Cable Access TV. The event took place at the Watertown Free Public Library and was broadcast by WCA-TV.

Around Town

Watertown Group Invites Public to Share Thoughts & Feelings About the Tragic Events in the Middle East

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

The Peace and Common Security Working Group of Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice and the Environment is sponsoring a program on Sunday Oct. 15 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Savings Bank Room, at 123 Main St. 

The group wants to invite people to share their thoughts and feelings about the events in the Middle East that are tragically affecting Palestinian and Israeli people. All are welcome.