2 Historic Events Remembered, Including Signing of Treaty of Watertown

Marilynne Roach of the Historical Society of Watertown made a presentation about the signing of the Treaty of Watertown and the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Edmund Fowle House. (Courtesy of the Historical Society)

On July 18, two major events in the history of Watertown and the United States was celebrated by the Historical Society of Watertown at the Senior Center. The events took place in 1776, at the Edmund Fowle House, which now sits across the street from the Senior Center. The home was the seat of the Massachusetts Government after the British took over Boston during the Revolutionary War. It also was the location of the signing of the Treaty of Watertown, the first treaty signed by the recently independent United States with a foreign power – the Mi’kmaq and St.

Watertown Man Planning to Ferry People to and from Boston on Charles River

A rendering of the what the boat to be used by Wada Hoppah to ferry passengers from Watertown to Boston on the Charles River (Courtesy of Wada Hoppah)

A local man wants to put the “water” back into Watertown when it comes to public transportation. If everything comes together, Drew Rollert’s company Wada Hoppah will be ferrying passengers from Watertown to Beacon Hill, with stops along the way, beginning this fall. Cities such as Venice, Amsterdam, and London are known for using their rivers and canals for transportation, and Rollert believes Boston should join them. He is confident that people would like an alternative to sitting in traffic jams, or riding the MBTA’s buses or trains. The Watertown resident remembers the moment that the idea of river transportation came to him.

First Annual State of the City Features Messages from Council President & City Manager

Watertown’s first State of the City address will be held on Aug. 9 at the Watertown Library. The event is now required to be held annually after changes to the City Charter were approved by voters in 2021. Please join us at the First Annual “State of the City” address with Council President Mark Sideris and Manager George Proakis on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library in the Watertown Savings Bank Room, at 123 Main Street. The purpose of the “State of the City” is in our City Charter, SECTION 2-10 ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETINGS: “The council president, in conjunction with the city manager, shall prepare and deliver a yearly message to the residents describing the state of the city.

Vigil Planned to Remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Candleboats float on the Charles River in Watertown in memory of those who died in the nuclear bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment:

Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the Delta and DCR Dock in Watertown Square, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023 from 7:30 PM until 9:00 PM

7:30 PM – Silent Vigil – Watertown Square8:00 PM – Music and Testimonials8:30 PM – Launching of the Candle Boats – MDCR Dock

Our annual resistance to the presence and use of nuclear weapons is even more important this year as we face the tangible and  threats of escalation in Ukraine and the effects of climate change. 

NEVER AGAIN – NO MORE HIROSHIMA and NAGASAKI – NO MORE VICTIMS – ABOLISH NUCLEAR WEAPONS

“Why do we stand in silence and float candle boats”? To remember the more than 210,000 killed, and the many more injured, by the U.S. nuclear attack on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9 in 1945. To remember the original five nuclear states have not taken serious action to abolish nuclear weapons, which has led India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel to acquire nuclear weapons.

Martial Arts Studio Brings Following to Watertown, Led by Longtime Instructor

A class at Wu Dao Kung Fu & Tai Chi in Watertown. (Courtesy of Wu Dao)

Inside an unassuming building, surrounded by office buildings, labs, and an auto dealership sits a spacious studio where students train in kung fu and tai chi from an instructor who is versed in martial arts and more. Wu Dao Kung Fu & Tai Chi moved to a studio on Walnut Street after years operating near Fresh Pond in Cambridge. Owner and head instructor Lindsay Lambert developed a loyal group of students, many of whom followed Wu Dao after the move to Watertown. The numbers dropped during the Pandemic and after the move, particularly the kids program.

Watertown Health Department Holding Household Sharps Collection

Watertown residents can dispose of needles, syringes, and lancets during the Watertown Health Department’s household sharps collection on Saturday Aug. 5. The Health Department provided the following information:

Syringes may be discarded by bringing them to the Household Sharps Collection days. Follow these tips (PDF) while handling syringes. Sharps Collection Registration Form (PDF)

Household sharps collection days:

April 1, August 5, and December 2, 20239 a.m. to NoonCity Hall, 149 Main St.Parking lot rear of the building

Watertown Residents can bring the following items on collection days:

Used needles, syringes and lancets that are stored in sturdy puncture-proof containers

Unused capped needles, syringes and lancets in original packaging

Unused EpiPens in original packaging.