Around Town

Developers of Life Science Projects Make Case to Ease the Impact of Linkage Fees

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Elkus Manfredi ArchitectsA view from Water Street of the life sciences building being built by Boston Development Group at 66 Galen St. Developers working on life science projects in Watertown say the proposed linkage fees, being considered by the City Council, could put the City at a disadvantage compared to communities not charging the fees, and it comes at a bad time. They propose some changes to how they pay the $11.12 per square foot, which has been earmarked to create affordable housing. At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 11, Councilors will discuss and are scheduled to vote on the linkage fee rules. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Watertown has already received approval from the State Legislature and Gov. Charlie Baker to charge up to $18 in linkage fees.

Around Town

Registration Open for Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Public Safety Academy

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Charlie BreitroseA cadet in the Middlesex Youth Public Safety Academy uses the fire hose as at Saltonstall Park. The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

Registration for the 2023 Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) will open at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 12, Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian has announced. 

YPSA is an educational, low-cost summer camp option for Middlesex County families. The camp is open to children ages 8-12 and will be held at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Training Academy in Chelmsford.  

“Thanks to our highly dedicated staff and our incredible public safety partners, YPSA has become one of our most recognizable and powerful community-based programs,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “Throughout the course of the summer, cadets will learn valuable public safety lessons from the same corrections professionals, police officers and firefighters who protect our communities each day.  By participating in a variety of fun-filled activities, cadets also build critical teamwork skills that they can carry into their everyday lives.” 

YPSA is comprised of five, one-week camps. This year, the camp will kick-off during the week of July 10 through July 14, and will continue through the week of August 7 to August 11. 

Registration for each week is $100 per child and includes transportation to and from designated bus stops, daily breakfast and lunch, and graduation ceremony held each Friday. Participants are not required to reside in communities with a designated bus stop, but they will be picked up and dropped off at these locations. Cadets from Billerica and Chelmsford will be dropped off and picked up at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Training Academy.

Around Town

Watertown Preservation Awards Return, Nominees Wanted

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The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Watertown Historical Commission is holding the 2023 Preservation Awards event for the first time in several years and is soliciting nominations from the public.  

Information and the application can be found here. Please drop off, mail or email completed nomination forms to: Watertown Historical Commission Office, Administration Building, 149 Main Street, Watertown, MA  02472 by Wednesday, April 12, 2023. If you have any questions, please call 617-972-6426 or email sjenness@watertown-ma.gov.

Save the date: Please join us on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 7:00 PM for the ceremony at the Carriage House at Gore Place, 52 Gore Street, Waltham. A reception to follow.

Around Town

Watertown Rotary Club Growing, Adding New Initiatives

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown Rotary President Kim Severino pins new member Christian Dallas at a ceremony on March 28. Coming out of the pandemic, the Rotary Club of Watertown struggled with attendance at its weekly lunch meetings and events, but recently, the club’s membership has started growing. On March 28, three new members were inducted as Rotary Club members in a ceremony held at Demos Watertown: Diane DiMascio Cinar of CK Realty Group, Christian Dallas of Dallas Insurance, and Massimo Zeppa of Keller Williams Realty. All three of the new members said that Rotary’s service mission attracted them. “I am so happy to be a Rotary member,” said DiMascio Cinar.

Around Town

Support Building for Removing Watertown Dam from Charles River

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Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Dam near Watertown Square slows the flow of the Charles River. A group is advocating removing the dam. The group pushing to have the Watertown Dam removed from the Charles River received a major grant, and the effort got the support of the Charles River Chamber of Commerce. The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) has appealed to the Watertown City Council to support removing the dam located just west of the Galen Street Bridge in Watertown Square. The decision will be made at the state level, because it falls under the control of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

Around Town

Residents Wanted for Boards That Deal With Traffic, Seniors, Trash/Recycling & Affordable Housing

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The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown is seeking Residents to serve on the Traffic Commission, Council on Aging, Cultural Council, Solid Waste and Recycling Advisory Committee, and Affordable Housing Trust

City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the following City Boards, Commissions and Committees in accordance with Ordinance # 2007-46, an Ordinance on the Timing and Process of Appointments to City Boards, Commissions and Committees. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or other information concerning background or experience by email to citymgr@watertown-ma.gov or City Manager’s Office, 149 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472. Traffic Commission

Description: The duties and responsibilities of the Traffic Commission shall include: study the traffic situation in the City and shall suggest and advise the City Manager in ways and means to regulate traffic in the City and recommend changes and amendments to the Traffic Rules and Orders of the City with a view towards reducing accidents and relieving traffic congestion. The Traffic Commission meets the last Wednesday of each month. One current member holding the position wishes to serve another term.

Around Town

Watertown Recycling Event a “Huge Success,” People Lined the Street to Participate

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The Public Works Recycling Event on March 25 drew so many people that cars were backed up down Waltham Street with residents waiting to dispose of a variety of items, and even grab some free soil. City Council President Mark Sideris said he was impressed by how much interest the event drew. “What a successful recycling event we had. You couldn’t get down Waltham Street — they were waiting in line!” Siders said during a recent Council meeting.