Around Town

City Council Urges State to Remove Watertown Dam

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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 City Council sent a letter to State officials in support of removing the “Watertown DCR Dam” from the Charles River, near Watertown Square. The Council cited climate resilience, rebuilding the population of fish species in the Charles, and the opposition of the dam by indigenous people in the letter. While the dam is located on a stretch of the river in Watertown’s city limits, the Charles and its shores are controlled by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

Around Town

Free COVID Tests Available from the Watertown Health Department

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

Before you gather for the holidays, plan ahead and get FREE COVID-19 antigen test kits which are available in Watertown City Hall. Stop by the Health Department on the first floor in City Hall at 149 Main St., Watertown and pick some up! City Hall Hours:

Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please note that City Hall closes at noon on December 23, and is closed on December 26, 2022, and January 2, 2023. Information about the Health Department can be found here.

Around Town

Watertown Restaurants, Charles River Chamber Teamed to Provide More Than 700 Meals

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Watertown Community FridgeThe Watertown Community Fridge, located at 80 Mt. Auburn St., provides free food and meals to those in need. The Charles River Chamber’s Nourishing Watertown program has helped provide more than 700 meals to those in need through the Watertown Community Fridge. The Chamber funded this year’s program through Trip Advisor and some private donations, said Greg Reibman, president of the Charles River Chamber. The Chamber provided the following information:

Since May a total of 721 meals have been delivered to the Watertown Community Fridge, with participation from eight Watertown restaurants and three volunteers.

Around Town

Watertown Business Parking Passes Available, Deadline Approaching

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department:

The City of Watertown sells a limited number of parking permits to local business owners/employees on a quarterly basis. The purchase of the quarterly parking permits for the Watertown Square Municipal Lot & the Nichols Avenue Municipal Lot for January – March 2023 will be available on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Business permits cost $120 a quarter (Price subject to change) and can be paid via cash or check. Limit two (2) permits per business

Forty (40) available for the Watertown Square lot, 20 available for the Nichols Ave lot on a first come first serve basis. To purchase please enter the building and proceed to the Treasurer/Collectors Office. ALL permits will require business information (i.e. proof of employment), current license and valid vehicle registrations to obtain a permit.

Around Town

Artwork Inspired by Local Edible Plants to be Auctioned Off

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Huckleberry by Donna Calleha. One of 10 pieces created for Edible Watertown’s Plants of Our Past project. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Public Arts & Culture Committee:

Take home a piece of Edible Watertown: Plants of our Past! The Public Arts & Culture Committee (PACC) invites you to a silent auction of work by local artists created for Edible Watertown: Plants of our Past. Support local artists and the PACC with an evening of bidding, conversation, and community.

Around Town

UPDATED: Developers Hosting Virtual Meeting on Garage Planned Near Watertown Mall

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Alexandria Real Estate EquitiesA conceptual drawing of the garage that may go at 480 Arsenal Way, and would be part of the “Watertown Mall Transformation.” (UPDATE: The date of the meeting was changed because the original date conflicted with the Hanukkah holiday. The new date is reflected in the story). The following announcement was sent out by the City of Watertown:

Please join Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (ARE) for a review and discussion on plans for a proposed garage in the front section of the surface parking area at 480 Arsenal Way. The purpose of this meeting is to update the public with ARE’s proposed plans to develop the garage, as part of ARE’s Watertown Mall transformation.

Around Town

LaFauci Tile Collecting Donations for Watertown Food Pantry

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LaFauci Tile and Marble Inc. is hosting its annual food drive that will support the Watertown Food Pantry. Donations can be dropped off Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. If you have trouble getting here we also had people ship donation via Amazon. We look forward and thank you for your support. LaFauci is located at 432 Main St., Watertown. For information call 617-924-8453.