Around Town

MassBay Holding Info Sessions on Program for Residents 25+ to Get Associate Degrees, Certificates

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The following announcement was provided by MassBay Community College:

MassBay Community College is preparing for Governor Healey’s proposed MassReconnect program, which would enable Massachusetts residents who are 25 years of age and older without a college degree to obtain an associate degree or certificate for free at any Massachusetts public community college. If this budget item is passed, the direct costs of tuition, fees, books, and supplies will be covered for eligible students enrolled in an approved certificate or associate degree program who are taking at least six credits per semester. The MassReconnect proposal is currently before the Massachusetts legislature as part of the fiscal year 2024 budget process. If approved, students can begin attending college for free starting in the fall 2023 semester. Applications to MassBay for fall semester are due by Tuesday, August 29, 2023, classes begin on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

Around Town

Study Finds Watertown Multi-Family Complexes Have Many Empty Parking Spaces

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Courtesy of MAPC

A study of large large apartment complexes in Watertown found that nearly 40 percent off-street parking spots remain empty, even during peak parking times. The Perfect Fit Parking study conducted by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) looked a several communities in the Boston area. In 17 multi-family residential complexes in Watertown, 62 percent of the spaces were full. The Watertown complexes had 1.45 parking spaces per unit, and 0.99 spaces were utilized, according to the study’s summary. The study comes at a good time, Watertown Assistant City Manager Steve Magoon said in the MAPC’s announcement (read it below), with the draft Comprehensive Plan update recommending the the City review its parking requirements for new developments.

Around Town

Artists Wanted to Create Pollinator Pathway Signs

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Public Arts & Culture Committee:

In an expansion of the program recently launched by the Watertown Friends of Bees and the Watertown Community Gardens in partnership with Watertown’s Department of Public Works, the Public Arts & Culture Committee is collaborating with the Watertown Community Gardens and Watertown School Gardens using art to enhance learning in gardens throughout the city. Artists are asked to develop imagery for two signs that will accompany the school gardens. Each sign may have a different artist, or the selection committee may select the same artist to complete both signs. Selected imagery will be digitized and printed on aluminum for outdoor display. The imagery may also be used at the Watertown Community Gardens, the Department of Public Works, and at a series of educational talks offered at the Watertown Free Public Library.The selected artist(s) will have their name included on each sign.

Around Town

Neighbors Concerned About Size of Proposed, Noise & Traffic from Project at Cannistraro Site

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A rendering of the proposed life science project at former Cannistraro property on Pleasant Street, Rosedale Road, and Acton Street. (Courtesy of Broder)

Developers heard from dozens of residents who showed up Monday night for an in-person community meeting about the project proposed for the former Cannistraro site, pro and against. Many with concerns lived in the residential neighborhood across the street, who fear they will be negatively impacted by the size of, and noise and traffic from the life science project. The project includes parcels on Pleasant Street, Rosedale Road and Acton Street. The proposal calls for a four-story, 148,0000-sq.-ft.

Around Town

Meetings Planned on Proposed Changes to MBTA’s 57 Bus Route

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The following information about the MBTA’s 57 bus, which runs out of Watertown Yard and goes down Galen Street toward Newton, Brighton, Allston, and ends up in Kenmore Square, was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Boston Transportation Department is working with the MBTA to plan improvements to the Route 57 bus corridor and will hold public engagement events this summer to collect community feedback, before implementing changes in 2023 or 2024. The Route 57 Transit Priority Corridor project will improve the Route 57 corridor in Brighton and Allston to reduce transit delay, enhance safety, and improve accessibility for those who live, work, and travel throughout the corridor. Improvements could include new bus lanes, changes to bus stops, or changes to how traffic operates at intersections. 

In the coming weeks, the project team will conduct outreach to raise awareness of the project and share initial design concepts. We will be tabling at community events, bus stops, and other locations leading up to the following two larger events:

August 2, 2023 In-Person Open House

Wednesday, August 2 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Jackson Mann Community Center, 500 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134.  

At this open house, City of Boston and MBTA staff will be available to answer questions about the project and listen to your feedback.

Around Town

LETTER: Noise a Concern for Proposed Westside Project

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A rendering of the proposed life science project at former Cannistraro property on Pleasant Street, Rosedale Road, and Acton Street. (Courtesy of Broder)

By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

“The hurrier I go, the behinder I get!” This quote is often ascribed to Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice in Wonderland and it was brought to mind after I attended the Broder Developers Meeting (the old Cannistraro building), last night. Watertown News will, I’m sure, have a very complete summary of this event. Just a few personal takeaways:

Although it was outside in that awful heat and humidity and in a decent outside venue that was practically hidden from the street (one attendee got numerous texts from people who were trying to attend and couldn’t find the place, and another attendee stood out in the parking lot in an attempt to send people in the right direction), it was well attended. I counted over 50 people.It lasted well past 8:00, in fact until after dark.

Around Town

Trustees Narrowing List of Candidates for Next Library Director, Planning Interviews

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Watertown LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. When thinking about what would make a great library director for Watertown, being involved in the community is one of the most valuable aspects, says Chair of the Board of Library Trustees, Leanne Hammonds. “We’re looking for someone that is comfortable being sort of the face of the Library in the community trying to get out to different community members that maybe don’t use the library as much … we’d like the library director to be known in the community,” said Hammonds. The Board of Trustees has been working to find a new library director since the spring when they found out their current director, Caitlin Browne, was resigning. The process to hire a new director consists of two members of the Board of Trustees to review resumes, cover letters and interview the candidates.