Development

Developers Discuss Project on Galen Street, Traffic & Transit Improvements

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A view looking south from Galen Street of the proposed life science building at 66 Galen Street. Developers of the parcel on Galen Street that includes for former Colonial GMC dealership, say their project will bring millions in property taxes with the new biotech space, and also improve traffic in and around the Galen Street area. Residents remain worried that the gridlock will continue, or move onto side streets. Boston Development Group hosted a virtual community meeting on Oct. 1 to present the planned building, and ways they want to improve the traffic and public transportation in the area.

Arrest

Police Log: Car Broken Into, Two Bicycles Stolen

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrest

Sept. 22, 2:30 p.m.: Police, were called to the area near Dunkin’ Donuts in Watertown Square for a man who appeared to be unsteady on his seat. He was seen walking back and forth on the sidewalk. Police located him and believed the man may have been under the influence of narcotics.

Government

Watertown Charter Review Committee to Hold First Meeting

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The group that will be reviewing and likely proposing changes to the Watertown Charter will hold its first meeting on Oct. 6. The review of the Home Rule Charter, the document that determines how Watertown’s government works and its structure, takes place every 10 years in years ending in 0. The Charter Review Committee is made up of the nine Town Councilors and six residents appointed by the Town Council President. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct.

Entertainment

New Rep Brings Theater & History to the Streets of Watertown Square

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Charles Lenox, played by Kadahj Bennett, talks about his time in the Massachusetts 54th Infantry during the Civil War sitting on a cannon at the Watertown Civil War Monument. The performance is the first Moving Play presented by New Rep Theatre. Visitors to Watertown Square may have recently noticed an enthusiastic, precocious and out-spoken young man wandering around the area. Charles Lenox, or Kadahj Bennett portraying Lenox, will gladly share his views about the major issues of his time — the 1860s — many of which are familiar to people today. The performance, called the Charles W. Lenox Experience, is the first of New Repertory Theatre’s Historical Moving Plays, and focuses on a real Watertown resident during the time of the Civil War.

Around Town

Town Running Flu Clinics, Offering Walk Through & Drive Through Options

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Watertown Town Hall

The Watertown Health Department will be running flu clinics. Residents can attend walk through or drive through clinics. The Health Department provided the following information:

When going to get a flu vaccine during COVID-19,  it is essential you follow all the protective protocols; wear a mask/face covering, social distance and must be COVID-19 free for a minimum of three days. Watertown Health Department recommends children from 6 months to 14 years go to their pediatrician for their vaccines. 

You can obtain a Flu Vaccine Insurance Form at the Town Hall, customer service window on Thaxter Street side or the Lower Hearing Room next to the park. 

Watertown Flu Vaccine Clinics For Watertown Residents 15 and Older

Drive Thru Dates: Saturday, October 10th, 9am‐ 2pmSaturday, November 7th, 9am‐ 2pm

Walk Thru Dates For residents 65+:

Saturday, October 10th, 9am‐12pmSaturday, October 24th, 9am‐12pm

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/flu-vaccine-clinic-drive-thru-tickets-118961291425

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/flu-vaccine-walk-in-clinic-tickets-120442477693

For more information and required forms please visit: https://www.watertown-ma.gov/1019/Seasonal-Influenza-and-Clinicsor call the Health Department at 617-972-6446

Around Town

DPW Recommends Seven Watertown Roads to be Repaved in 2021

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The roads in Watertown proposed to be repaired in 2021. The Department of Public Works recommended that seven roads around Watertown be reconstructed during the 2021 construction season. The list of roads to undergo full reconstruction, including sidewalks, was presented to the Town Council’s Public Works subcommittee on Sept. 24. The roads that made the list are:

Alden Road Sheldon RoadHazel Street (Quimby Street to Dexter Avenue) Gertrude StreetGoldie StreetElmwood AvenueGrandview Avenue (Chapman Street to Copeland Street)

Town Engineer Matt Shuman explained that the roads were chosen were in the greatest state of disrepair.

Schools

Parent Starts Petition Asking Schools to Move to Hybrid Earlier

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A screenshot of the parent petition asking for the Watertown Schools to reopen earlier. The Watertown Public Schools will not be moving to a hybrid model with a mix of in-person and remote learning, until Oct. 26 at the earliest, but a Hosmer Elementary School parent has started a petition asking officials to reconsider. The decision to start the year remotely, and move to hybrid later in the fall, was made in August. School officials have been under pressure from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to open earlier because COVID-19 rates put the Town into the lower-risk category (green) in the state’s Community Level COVID Data Reporting system.

Around Town

Farmers Market Organizers Pleased with Turnout, Look to Extend Access to Fresh Produce

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With the pandemic shutdown in full force, the organizers of the Watertown Farmers Market had to consider whether they should host the weekly market in 2020 and, if so, how they could do it safely and whether people would come out. As the season nears its end, organizers are pleased with how the market turned out. Stephanie Venizelos, the Town’s Community Wellness Program Manager and Farmers Market Manager, said the market at Saltonstall Park got a good crowd every Wednesday over the summer and into the fall. “No one knew what to anticipate. We’ve been bringing in 500-700 people a week.