Around Town

Upcoming Events: Budget Presentation, Health & Human Services Report, Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee, Miyawaki Forest

By |

Watertown’s Miyawaki Forest will be planted at Lowell School

The City Manager will present the Preliminary City Budget, the City will provide details of the recently completed Health and Human Services Report, the Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee seeks new members, and Watertown’s first Miayaki Forest will be planted at Lowell School. Preliminary Budget

City Manager George Proakis will present the Preliminary Budget Overview for Fiscal Year 2026 at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The meeting is in the Council Chamber in City Hall, and will also have remote participation. The Oct. 22 meeting begins at 7 p.m. See more details here.

Around Town

Massage Aid Raising Money for Doctors Without Borders, Offering Range of Therapies

By |

Massage Aid will raise money for Doctors Without Borders. The following announcement was provided by the organizers of Massage Aid:

By Diane Crowley

With all the trouble in the world in Ukraine, the Middle East, Haiti and Sudan currently, the massage therapists and Reiki practitioners who volunteer for Massage Aid events decided it was time to hold another event to benefit Doctors Without Borders. In the past, the group had chosen a specific country to focus on but there are so many countries that are experiencing war, terror and strife that it was hard to focus on only one country. 

The group decided to call this event MASSAGE AID FOR PEACE & HUMANITY and will let Doctors Without Borders decide where the most urgent need is at present. The event will be held at:

The First Parish Watertown, at 35 Church St. in WatertownOn: Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 2:30-5:30 p.m.Services: 15 minute sessions, chair massage, clothed sports table Massage or ReikiCost: $20/session, CASH or CHECK

*** In order to get the service you want at a time that works best for you, you can pre-book your session by email at: cjclmt@gmail.com

Walk-Ins are welcome on a first come/first serve basis

So do something good for yourself while doing something good for humanity!

Around Town

Watertown Square Zoning Changes Seek to Make More Vibrant, Bike/Pedestrian Friendly Area & Meets State Housing Requirements

By |

Wednesday night, the City Council and Planning Board began to dig into the details of the zoning that will make the transformation of Watertown Square a reality. The zoning includes areas where City officials seek to create areas with a vibrant street front, make the area more friendly for walkers and bicyclists, promote affordable housing, and a section where multi-story residential buildings will be allowed by right to comply with the state’s MBTA Communities Law. The two boards must approve the dozens of Zoning amendments in the Watertown Square Area Plan proposed zoning so that City officials can submit them to the State by December, said Assistant City Manager Steve Magoon. Added to the zoning changes are zoning to allow Accessory Dwelling Units by right, which would allow Watertown to comply with recently approved State legislation by the February deadline. See a bigger version of the proposed zoning map by clicking here.

Around Town

City’s Health and Human Services Report to be Presented at Oct. 21 Meeting

By |

The City of Watertown recently released the Health and Human Services Report, and a meeting is scheduled to present it ot the public. See more information in the City’s announcement, below. Health and Human Services Report

Please read the Watertown Health and Human Services Report, authored by Health Management Associates (HMA)! This report includes an analysis of the existing health and human services available in Watertown, an identification of gaps between needs and services, and a series of recommendations made by the experts at HMA for the City of Watertown. To coincide with the release of this report, the City of Watertown is also hosting a presentation to the community, where HMA will present their findings and recommendations on Monday, October 21, 2024, at a hybrid meeting.

Around Town

Steve Gross to Headline Charles River Chamber’s Fall Business Breakfast

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Regional Chamber:

The Charles River Regional Chamber invites our local business community to its highly anticipated Fall Business Breakfast presented by Needham Bank on Friday, November 1, 2024, from 7:15 to 9:00 a.m. at Newton Marriott. The event is the Chamber’s largest annual gathering for business, civic and nonprofit leaders across Newton, Needham, Watertown, and Wellesley. This year’s program will feature Steve Gross, a Needham-native, Newton-resident and founder of the Life is Good Playmaker Project, as the keynote speaker. Using research, humor, and personal stories from his 25+ years as a clinical social worker, Gross will share how optimistic leaders bring out the best in people and organizations – especially in challenging, change-filled times. In addition to the keynote address, attendees will have the opportunity to network with more than 400 local business leaders, decision-makers, and community members.

Around Town

LETTER: Resident Strongly Endorses Yes on Question 4

By |

Hi Massachusetts Voters,

As I have said in a comment, I will be voting yes on all the ballot questions.  (Watertown specimen ballots for the general election on Tuesday, November 3rd, can be found here at https://www.watertown-ma.gov/295/Specimen-Ballots). At the root of many of the ballot questions is economic fairness. However, I feel most completed to write about Question 4. “This proposed law would allow persons aged 21 and older to grow, possess, and use certain natural psychedelic substances in certain circumstances. The psychedelic substances allowed would be two substances found in mushrooms (psilocybin and psilocin) and three substances found in plants (dimethyltryptamine, mescaline, and ibogaine).” I feel compelled because this is about how we care for those who have no other options.

Around Town

Get to Know Watertown’s Public Arts & Culture Planner in Little Local Conversations Podcast

By |

Liz Helfer, the City of Watertown’s Public Arts & Culture Planner. The “Little Local Conversations” podcast spoke with the woman behind public art projects in Watertown, and who also creates art of her own as a sculptor: the City of Watertown’s Public Arts and Culture Planner, Liz Helfer. In “Little Local Conversations,” discover the people, places, stories, and ideas of Watertown. Creator and Watertown resident Matt 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. 

Hanna wrote:

“Meet Liz Helfer! She works for the City of Watertown as the Public Arts and Culture Planner and she’s also a working sculptor in the region.