LETTER: State Statute Causing Confusion About Voting Status

Last year there was a lot of confusion on Election Day at the polls because of a Massachusetts Statute. In Watertown, many enrolled voters were marked “INACTIVE” including State Rep. Lawn. In Massachusetts, when you do not send back the city/town census, you are marked “INACTIVE” on the election roll.  However, many Watertown voters did send back the city census, but the business vendor sent them to the wrong place. City Hall did not receive them. What does it mean if you are marked “INACTIVE”? It means you are an enrolled voter! It means you can vote!

Watertown Group Hosting Meeting on the Climate Crisis and Militarism Project

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

The Vets for Peace describe the Climate Crisis and Militarism Project as part of the world-wide movement to end the climate crisis and promote climate, environmental, racial, and economic justice. Our emphasis focuses on how the U.S. military, the single largest institutional source of greenhouse gases on the planet, fuels the climate crisis. A Special Presentation by Veterans for Peace will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 20 from 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

This will be an online presentation. The presentation will take place as part of the Monthly Membership meeting of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment.

LETTER: What the Delta Saw: A (slightly) Irreverent and Rambling History of Watertown Square (Part 9)

The Old Bridge, Galen Street Bridge 1906 before its demolition (Photo courtesy of the Watertown Free Public Library)

By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Part 9: There’s a New Bridge in Town

According to Maud Hodges, in Crossroads on the Charles: “The new bridge was designed by Wilbur Learned, the Town engineer, and it combined strength, utility and beauty. The new structure was a broad, wide arch of concrete with a ninety-foot span …. The bridge was faced with granite blocks cut in Deer Isle, Maine. The road bed was 80 feet wide, spreading out at both ends to provide access for vehicles. Mt.

Celebrate Grandparents Day at Brigham House, Make a Keepsake

The Brigham House assisted living community is housed in Watertown’s former East Junior High School. The following announcement was provided by Watertown Families Together:

The relationship between a grandparent and child is indeed special. Again this year we will celebrate Grandparent Day on Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. at Brigham House Assisted Living Residence, 341 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown.

LETTER: What the Delta Saw: A (slightly) Irreverent and Rambling History of Watertown Square (Part 7 & 8)

Watertown Baptist Church Members over the age of 50 (Photo courtesy of the Watertown Free Public Library)

Part 7: What We’ve Got Here is a Failure to Communicate! More of the 1800’s

The 1800’s were more than just an industrial revolution in Watertown. Many national and localissues were being played out locally to great drama and effect. For instance, the Temperance Movement was in full bloom. In a few words, women had had enough of family beatings and earnings all going to the local tavern and not to feed their children.

LETTER: What the Delta Saw: A (slightly) Irreverent and Rambling History of Watertown Square (Part 5 & 6)

Coolidge Tavern (Photo courtesy of Watertown Free Public Library)

By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Part 5: The Roaring 1700’s

By the 1700’s, Watertown was hopping. There were stage coach lines coming through town and a lively lumber business floating up and down the Charles. Besides the mills, there were hotels, stables, blacksmiths, and horse boarding establishments. (Burke)

Situated right in the middle of Watertown Square, Galen Street was proving to be kind of a problem. At this point in time, which was surprising, because Watertown was still mostly a farming community, this square was a lively place, and not always in a good way.

Marshall Home Fund Seeks Applications for Fund Administrator

The Marshall Home Fund sent out the following job description:

Fund Administrator for Watertown Non-profit Foundation

The Marshall Home Fund (MHF) is a private, non-profit charity that provides annual program grants to Watertown organizations that serve older adults, as well as modest individual grants to persons 55 and older experiencing financial need. We support a wide variety of efforts to build and maintain an age-friendly community for older adults. The key functions of the administrator are:

Soliciting, assessing, and supporting grant recipients;

Supporting board members and committee chairs;

✓ Serving as liaison between MHF and grantees;

✓ Performing MHF administrative tasks as needed. Job description:

The Fund is currently seeking a part-time Administrator (we estimate 8 hours per week on average), who will:

Provide administrative and communication support to the Fund’s Board of Directors;

Support program and individual grant application processes and facilitate communication between grant recipients and the Board;

Receive and respond to correspondence;

Maintain files/records, database, and office equipment;

Work closely with the Treasurer, Bookkeeper, and others to ensure timely payment of bills and grants, and track financial transactions;

Generate reports and board minutes in a timely and accurate manner;

Attend Board and committee meetings, either in person or virtually, as needed;

Support MHF committees and help to promote the Fund’s activities within the town, sometimes representing the Fund in the larger community;

Keep the Fund’s website up-to-date;

Gather and compile information from board members and grant recipients to produce a quarterly newsletter on Mailchimp;

​Qualifications:

The successful candidate will:

Be self-directed, comfortable working independently, and able to prioritize tasks;

Possess excellent organizational and interpersonal skills;

Demonstrate a high level of maturity as well as discretion, tact, and diplomacy in communicating with grantees, board members and the wider community, verbally and in writing;

Be proficient in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, as well as Zoom meeting technology;

Be knowledgeable in general office procedures and able to take accurate meeting minutes. At least two years of college, with a minimum of three years experience in administrative, human service, or similar work is desired.