Government

City of Watertown Buying Back Former Parker School for Office Space

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City of WatertownThe City of Watertown has entered into an agreement to purchase the former Parker School building on Watertown Street. For more than 70 years, public school children were educated in the building at 124 Watertown St. Now, more than a century after it was built, the former Parker Elementary School will once again be owned by the City of Watertown. This time, instead of public school pupils, it will be house city employees. On Tuesday night, City Manager George Proakis told the City Council that the City has an agreement to purchase the former elementary school on the south side of Watertown.

Around Town

See Photos from the Watertown’s First Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration

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Charlie BreitroseA special performance of New Rep Theatre’s “Listen to Sipu” was held during the first Watertown Indigenous Peoples Day held at the First Parish Church. People filled the First Parish Church hall on Monday, Oct. 10 to celebrate Watertown’s first Indigenous Peoples Day. The audience heard from keynote speaker Elizabeth Solomon, a representative of the Massachusett Nation, about issues facing Indigenous People today and the effects of colonialism. Charlie BreitroseElizabeth Solomon, a representative of the Massachusett Nation, gave the keynote address during to the audience at the First Parish Church during Indigenous Peoples Day.

Government

Watertown’s New City Manager Holding Pair of Meet and Greets

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Watertown City Manager George Proakis. Watertown City Manager George Proakis, who started his new position in August, will be holding a pair of meet-and-greets where he will be available to speak with residents and members of the public. Proakis will hold the first Meet and Greet with residents on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022 from 6-7 p.m. in City Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 149 Main St. The event precedes that evening’s City Council Meeting (the agenda includes the FY 2024 preliminary budget overview).

Around Town

Watertown Boys & Girls Club Names New Executive Director

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The Watertown Boys & Girls Club new Executive Director, Gary Beatty, and his family. They live in Watertown. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors:

The Watertown Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors is proud to introduce Gary Beatty as its new Executive Director. The Search Committee of the Board worked with a consultant to cast a wide net for qualified candidates who had, in addition to promising resumes, two intangible qualities: an understanding of and passion for working with youth, and who were the right fit for Watertown. The selection process was lengthy, involving several rounds of interviews, both virtual and in-person, a site visit, and a written response to some Committee questions.

Around Town

Watertown Company Creating Way to Dramatically Cut the Number of Pills Patients Take

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Lyndra TherapeuticsA prototype of Lyndra’s stellate medical platform is placed in a machine to undergo stress testing. A company with headquarters in the East End of Watertown will soon start the final trials for a way of delivering drugs that would allow patients to take just one pill a week instead of seven pills or more. And the company is working on technology that could cut it to just two or even one a pill a month. Lyndra Therapeutics moved to its space on Grove Street in 2017, and employs nearly 130 people there, in Lexington, or who work remotely. The company also helps train the next generation of life scientists by working with students from colleges in the area, and has also started reaching out to classes at Watertown High School.

Business

Discuss the Future of Business in Watertown at Upcoming Event

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Local residents, business owners, employees and others are invited to add their voice to the City of Watertown’s effort to shape the future of business in Watertown at an event hosted by the Watertown Business Coalition. On Oct. 19 the WBC will host a networking event where City officials and consultants working on updating the Comprehensive Plan, Watertown’s primary planning document. The plan covers many areas, but the event focuses on business. The event will be at the Mount Auburn Cemetery’s Bigelow Chapel.

Around Town

Watertown Farmers Market Offering Opportunity to Get Fresh Produce Over Winter

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Still Life FarmAn example of the produce from Still Life Farm’s Winter CSA. The Watertown Farmers’ Market will soon be over for the season, but devotees can continue to get fresh produce for Thanksgiving, and over the winter through a pair of programs. Those who qualify can get a free bag for Thanksgiving. Live Well Watertown provided the following information:

The Watertown Farmers’ Market season wraps up on October 19th but recently announced two partner programs to offer customers local produce in the off-season. Dick’s Market Farm is offering a one-time Thanksgiving Day Bag for $40 which will include a variety of seasonal produce, including items that can be easily stored. The bag will be delivered free to City Hall (Council Chamber) on Wednesday, November 16th, with pick-up between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Customers using SNAP can get the bag for free using their HIP benefit.