Weather

Watertown Weather: Quieter but Colder Week After Thanksgiving

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Here’s the updated daily weather forecast for Watertown, MA, from Thursday, November 27 to Thursday, December 5 by Meteorologist Matthew Moll of New England Weather Consulting: As we move past Thanksgiving, Watertown is transitioning into a quieter, yet noticeably colder pattern. After a rainy and windy Thanksgiving Day, conditions will settle on Friday with mostly sunny skies and cooler temperatures around 46°F. However, the real shift comes this weekend, as temperatures will struggle to reach the low 40s, with brisk winds making it feel even colder. By Sunday, highs will be in the upper 30s, and temperatures will quickly dip into the 20s overnight, signaling the arrival of winter-like conditions. As we head into next week, the cold will persist, with highs near 38°F and lows dropping into the low 20s, making it feel even colder with the wind chill.

Around Town

Job Opening: Watertown Housing Authority Executive Director

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MassNAHRO announced it is seeking an executive director for the Watertown Housing Authority. See the announcement below. Executive DirectorWatertown Housing AuthorityWatertown, MA

The Watertown Housing Authority (WHA) seeks an experienced and innovative housing administrator to lead and manage its programs, properties, and contracts. The HA owns and operates 276 units of state-aided elderly/handicapped public housing, 240 units of state-aided family housing, 23 units of chp. 689 public housing, and 220 federal HCV vouchers.

Around Town

Holiday Mixer & Toy Drive to be Hosted by Rotary Club & Watertown Business Coalition

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The Rotary Club of Watertown and the Watertown Business Coalition invite the community to join them for the third annual Holiday Mixer and Toy Drive on Dec. 2. See more details below. The Watertown Business Coalition, the Rotary Club of Watertown, and the Mosesian Center for the Arts are teaming up for the 3rd Annual Holiday Mixer and Toy Drive. The event will be on Monday, December 2nd from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St, Watertown.

Around Town

Hear About a Local Activist & Photographer and Watertown News’ Editor on the Little Local Conversations Podcast

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Archy LaSalle

Matt Hanna, the voice behind “Little Local Conversations” podcast, spoke with Archy LaSalle, who has many roles, including in the arts and as an activist. Also, hear Hanna’s conversation with Watertown News Editor Charlie Breitrose. In “Little Local Conversations,” discover the people, places, stories, and ideas of Watertown. Hanna has conversations with various businesses owners, community leaders, creatives, and other interesting folks in Watertown to learn about what they do and get to know a bit about the people behind the work. 

Achy LaSalle

Meet Archy LaSalle! He’s the Vice Chair of the Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee, a passionate activist, and working photographer.

Around Town

Public Invited to First Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at the Armenian Cultural & Educational Center

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The Armenian Cultural and Education Center will have a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the center located at 47 Nichols Ave., in Watertown. See the announcement below. Get in the Holiday Spirit and join us at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC) for the First Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 6, starting 5 p.m.

This event is FREE and open to the public! The program includes music, hot cocoa & cookies, and a visit from Santa. Bring your loved ones and enjoy the holiday spirit with the community!

Around Town

Major Residential and Commercial Project in Watertown Square Breaks Ground

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O’Connor Group CEO Bill O’Connor, left, and Head of Acquisition John O’Connor welcomed attendees to the ground breaking ceremony for Elysian Watertown Square, a mixed use project. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The start of construction of a major new project on Main Street, Elysian Watertown Square, was celebrated by the developers and City officials at a ceremony held recently. On Nov. 19, O’Connor Group held a ribbon cutting on the property that will become a mixed-use building with 142 rental units, five owner-occupied townhouses, and retail space on land that stretches from Main Street to Pleasant Street. John O’Connor, Head of Acquisitions for O’Connor Group, said the new project will help make Watertown Square a more lively place.

Around Town

LETTER: Giving Thanks to Watertown Forest Makers

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Volunteers watch Russ Cohen give a tree-planting demonstration. Photo by Anita Meiklejohn. by Anita Roy Dobbs and Libby ShawForests for Watertown, Trees for Watertown

On a warm, sunny Saturday at the end of October, over 200 Watertown community members came together to plant Watertown’s first Miyawaki Forest at the JR Lowell Elementary School near the corner of Orchard and George Streets. Volunteers aged 3 to 93 planted nearly 750 trees and shrubs of some 50 native species in just five hours. The result of this remarkable community effort is a new kind of urban green space.

Transportation

Thanksgiving Week Travel Advisory from MassDOT

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The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is encouraging members of the public to plan ahead for travel during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday week, use available technology tools and resources to make informed decisions and plan ahead. During this holiday season, individuals should be aware there may be a higher number of travelers on Commonwealth roadways and on public transportation. 

“With the Thanksgiving holiday (this) week, MassDOT is forecasting increased traffic volumes throughout the week with the heaviest outbound traffic expected in the afternoons of Monday through Wednesday.” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “We also expect returning volumes to be heavier on Sunday, December 1.  We encourage travelers to make their trips outside of peak hours and drive safely.” 

The Highway Division is taking several steps to ensure safe and efficient travel on state-owned roadways. There will be no scheduled construction work on major arterial roadways outside of established work zones, starting at 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 26, through 5:00 a.m. on Monday, December 2.  

In addition, the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane located on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will extend its afternoon hours by opening from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26, and from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27. The HOV lane will be closed on Thursday, November 28, and on Friday, November 29.  Also, due to increased travel in and out of Logan Airport, the Sumner Tunnel swing lane will not be deployed on Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29. 

Heavier traffic than usual is expected on Monday, November 25, and Tuesday, November 26, with additional delays likely during midday hours on Wednesday, November 27, Thanksgiving Day, November 28, and throughout the weekend following Thanksgiving.