Around Town

Watertown’s Oldest House to Open to Public on June 1

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The Browne House, built in 1698, is the oldest standing house in Watertown. The following announcement was provided by Historic New England:

On Saturday, June 1, all 38 Historic New England historic properties are open free to the public, including the Lyman Estate in Waltham and Browne House in Watertown. Join us for a fun day of fantastic storytelling! At the Lyman Estate you’ll see rooms used in the Greta Gerwig’s film adaptation of Little Women and the veranda where Jo and Laurie exuberantly danced during the ball. Also enjoy the grounds of this National Historic Landmark and visit one of the oldest greenhouses in the United States.Hear the story of the Lyman family at the mansion, which is also used today as a venue for weddings and corporate events.

Around Town

Memorial Day Parade 2024: See Which Groups Will be Marching

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The Watertown Memorial Day Parade will take place on Monday, May 27 beginning at noon at City Hall and ending at Victory Field. Following the procession, a ceremony will be held, which will include the dedication of a POW-MIA Chair at the field. The parade route starts at City Hall, heads west on Main Street, turns onto Waverley Avenue, and then onto Orchard Street. Parade Divisions

First Division

Watertown Police Department

Watertown Savings Bank

Watertown City and Local Officials

Shutt Detachment/VFW Post 1105/AMVETS Post 41

Navy Sea Cadets

Waltham American Legion Band

Watertown Fire Department

Second Division

Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard

Knights of Columbus

Watertown High School and Middle School Band

Ancient Order of the Hibernians

The National Lancers

Panto Classic Automobiles

Watertown Historical Commission

Fred Bolzan Photography

North End Marching Band

Third Division

Watertown Scouts, Packs, Troops

The Roma Band

Watertown/Belmont Youth Football and Cheerleading

Watertown Council on Aging (Friends of the COA)

Watertown Youth Soccer

The Tony Barrie Band

Watertown Sons of Italy

Wind Jammers

Perfection Towing

Nonantum Children’s Christmas

For groups participating, staging will take place behind the Watertown Library and City Hall. Staging may begin at 10:30 a.m. The only vehicles that should remain in the library lot after staging should be vehicles in the parade.

Around Town

Entertainment Lineup Announced for Watertown Pride 2024

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The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

Announcing the Watertown Pride 2024 festival entertainment at Saltonstall Park on Sunday, June 2, 2024 from 12-5 p.m.:

Tyler Tuccio/Tee Sparks, Watertown native AND Mr. Trans Massachusetts USA 2022

Danny B. Goode, Reigning Mr. Gay New England 2023

DJ Zeneida Ramos

Watertown Pride 2024: Loud, Proud, Island-Bound is an inclusive, all-ages event that celebrates our LGBTQIA+ communities. 

It is free and open to everyone on Sunday, June 2, 2024 from 12 to 5 p.m.The event kicks off with a parade at noon that will begin at Moxley parking lot and travel along the Watertown Community Path to a festival at Saltonstall Park. 

Visit www.WatertownPride.com for more event details.

Around Town

Descendants of Soldier Killed in Italy During World War II Gather for Dedication of Hero Square

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A hero square in memory of Pvt. Vincent Ranucci, who was killed in World War II, was dedicated down the street from the home on Nichols Avenue where he grew up. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Dozens of descendants of a decorated World War II veteran gathered Monday on the East Watertown street where his childhood home is located to remember him and dedicate a hero square in his name. Vincent Ranucci grew up in a three-family home at 7 Nichols Ave. as the oldest of nine children.

Around Town

MassDOT Expects Busy Memorial Day Weekend, Encourages Travelers to Plan Ahead

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The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is encouraging individuals who plan to travel during the Memorial Day holiday weekend to plan, expect increased travel volumes, utilize MassDOT’s “real time” travel tools and resources, and take public transportation as much as possible to help get to planned destinations.   

“We are expecting a very busy travel weekend for this upcoming Memorial Day,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “Traffic congestion is expected to grow on Thursday afternoon and will be much heavier than normal early Friday afternoon. Drivers should leave extra time when making travel plans, consult MassDOT resources, and always drive sober and undistracted. We at MassDOT wish everyone a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.” 

Construction operations for the Sumner Tunnel Restoration Project are not occurring this weekend. The tunnel will remain open for travel during the weekend of Friday, May 24 through Monday, May 27.  

Using traffic data, MassDOT has created a traffic forecast for the holiday weekend.

Around Town

LETTER: A Resident’s Comments on Proposed Rezoning of Watertown Square

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To the Editor:

I’ve been impressed by Manager George Proakis’ initiative, effort and community involvement process for the Watertown Square Area Redesign. In terms of the streetscape, it’s terrific that the manager is trying to create a plan that insists that our Square is first and foremost the center of our community, not just an intersection to drive through as quickly as possible. It is in terms of zoning that the draft plans have led to more disagreement. Unlike some municipalities, we are choosing to obey the new MBTA Communities law and join in the region-wide attempt to increase the supply of housing by changing the zoning in the Square. The need for more housing units at lower rents and/or purchase prices is clear.