Around Town

Our History: Historical Society Essay from 1894

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The Spring Hotel, built in 1824, was located on Main Street in Watertown Square across from the train depot. The First Parish Church (demolished in 1975) can be seen in the background. (Photo courtesy of the Watertown Free Public Library)

The following story is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It is from our October 1999 newsletter “The Town Crier.” It was written in 1894 by then-Historical Society of Watertown Vice President, William Ingraham. Mr. Ingraham was a founding member of the Historical Society, and served the town at various time as Town Clerk, Town Selectman, on the Board of Assessors, on the Improvement Association (for streets).

Around Town

Meet Firefighters and Police Officers at Safety First Family Event

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The following information was provided by Watertown Families Together:

Young children and their caregivers are invited to a “SAFETY FIRST” event on Oct. 12 at 10 a.m.

The event is at Brigham House Assisted Living Residence, 341 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown.  Enjoy:

• Music with Ruth

• A visit with the Watertown Firefighters and Watertown Police. Climb into their vehicles. See what it feels like to help keep Watertown and its residents safe. • A take-home craft

• A treat or two

• Many more surprises

This program is brought to you by a grant from the Marshall Home Fund, Brigham House and Watertown Families Together

Around Town

Take a Walk Through Mt. Auburn Cemetery with Live Well Watertown & the Business Coalition

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Mount Auburn Cemetery. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Business Coalition:

Live Well Watertown’s and Watertown Business Coalition’s WALK N’ TALK Series continues in October with a visit to Mount Auburn Cemetery. Join us on Thursday, Oct. 12 at Mount Auburn Cemetery. Walk starts @ 1 p.m. – arrival 12:45 -1 p.m. ENTER via Main Entrance at 580 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge.

Around Town

Trees for Watertown Annual Meeting Features Talk by City’s Senior Environmental Planner

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The following announcement was provided by Trees for Watertown:

In the coming decades, our New England region will be at the heart of climate change impacts. According to a 2022 University of Massachusetts report, at current CO2 emission levels, the number of 90-degree days our city sees will increase to 80 per year by the end of the century, vector-borne diseases will increase, and animal and plant species will be lost. 

Of particular importance to Watertown, precipitation rates and river resulting stormwater flooding are set to rise substantially.  Storms will be more intense, leading to costly home flooding and personal property loss.  

In January 2020 the World Economic Forum launched the One Trillion Tree initiative. In July 2022 the Biden Administration announced the US government aims to plant over a billion trees.  Along with restoring forests, a healthy established population of urban shade trees is internationally recognized as one of the most powerfully effective means for protecting us from the most punishing effects of climate change. Cities across the world are planting thousands of trees to increase their tree canopy. However, the success of tree-planting efforts world-wide and here in Watertown depends on proper planning for the long term. Trees provide exponentially more protective ecological services when they are mature. This means it’s important to take good care of existing healthy trees, and to select, site, plant and maintain new trees carefully so that they can have long healthy lifetimes.

Around Town

LETTER: Fair Share Amendment Committee Members Back School Committee Candidate

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As members of Watertown for the Fair Share Amendment Committee, we very happy to write in support of Rachel Kay for School Committee. 

For over a year and half, a small group of us worked to successfully promote the passage of the Fair Share Amendment. Rachel understood early the value of the FSA to local schools and jumped in with enthusiasm. Voters of Massachusetts voted in favor of it in November 2022. The 4 percent tax on incomes over one million is projected to bring in over $2 billion every year. This revenue will support improvements to schools, higher education, early education, vocational training and adult education, plus transit. The Watertown for the Fair Share Amendment Committee organized forums, canvases, information campaigns, and did outreach to residents and community groups. We also asked the city council to join other Massachusetts councils in endorsing the Fair Share Amendment, which it did. All of these efforts led to the additional funding for our schools and learners.  

Rachel contributed more than hard work and steady diligence to this project. She stepped up when needed; taking initiative, facilitating communication, informing decision-making. Rachel is well organized, a fast learner, a good communicator and a strong collaborator.

Around Town

Star Market to Give Back to Operation American Soldier in Reusable Bag Program

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The following announcement was provided by Star Market:

Operation American Soldier has been selected as a beneficiary of the Star Market GIVE BACK WHERE IT COUNTS Reusable Bag Program for the month of October. The Star Market GIVE BACK WHERE IT COUNTS Reusable Bag Program, which launched in March 2019, is a reusable bag program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work. Operation American Soldier was selected as the October beneficiary of the program by store leadership at the Star Market located 699 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge. Operation American Soldier will receive a $1 donation every time the $3.00 GIVE BACK WHERE IT COUNTS Reusable Bag is purchased at this location during [month], unless otherwise directed by the customer through the Giving Tag attached to the bag.

Around Town

Watertown Church Hosting Family Harvest Fest

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The following information was provided by Grace Church Watertown:

Gather your loved ones and savor the beauty of New England this fall at the annual Grace Chapel, Watertown Harvest Fest!  

Carve out some family time as you connect with your friends and neighbors while enjoying music, tasty fall treats, games, and don’t forget about face painting and our famous bounce houses! Who could ask for more? This event is FREE for the whole family! Save the date: October 14, 2023 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Rain date: October 21, 2023, same time.