Around Town

A Look Back at the First 50 Years of the Watertown Boys & Girls Club

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Watertown Cable

The Watertown Boys & Girls Club turned 50 years old in 2022, and during that time the club has faced its share of challenges to continue its mission of serving the youth of the community. On Oct. 28, the Club hosted a 50th Anniversary Gala to celebrate the people who made the first half century possible, and asked for support to continue serving Watertown. Watertown came together to build the clubhouse on land on Whites Avenue, near the then-Town Hall, now City Hall. The first step was to get approval to use the land, recalled Allen Gallagher, who served as Executive Director from 1991 to 2012.

Government

Charles River Groups Urges Removing Watertown Dam, Protection for Private Trees

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Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Dam near Watertown Square slows the flow of the Charles River. A group is advocating removing the dam. Members of the Charles River Watershed Association appeared before the City Council last week to state their case for removing the Watertown Dam, and also encouraged the City to take other steps for climate resilience, including expanding tree protection to those on private property. Along with the recommendation to remove the Watertown Dam, CRWA Executive Director Emily Norton also recommended that the City: adopt a robust tree ordinance including considering protecting trees on private property, adopt a stormwater utility, and strengthen wetlands ordinance to better prepare and respond to climate change. Dam Removal

The CRWA met with residents and officials a year ago during a tour of the Watertown Dam site.

Around Town

City Planner Shows Possible Idea for Watertown Square That Includes Roundabouts

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Jeff SpeckA concept for Watertown Square drawn up by city planner Jeff Speck, on the right, with an aerial photo of the area as it exists now. How to make Watertown Square a calmer, more efficient, and inviting place to be is a complex puzzle, which City Manager George Proakis plans to take on in his first year on the job. A well-known city planner took a stab at the problem and drew up a redesign with roundabouts on two ends of the main intersection in town. The drawing was the product of a quick analysis by Jeff Speck, in a talk about making cities more walkable, as well as places where businesses thrive. He presented it during his presentation at the Charles River Chamber of Commerce Fall Business Breakfast in Newton on Oct.

Around Town

Boys & Girls Club Celebrates 50th Years of Serving the Youth of Watertown

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Charlie BreitroseGov. Charlie Baker speaks to Watertown Boys & Girls members Heloisa Breder and Sophia Torres, who introduced him at the Club’s 50th Anniversary Gala. The Watertown Boys & Girls Club opened its doors 50 years ago, and has been a place for the youth of the town to have fun, learn, and inspire them as they look to the future. The people who founded the Club, guided it through tough times, and built its solid foundation were honored at Friday night’s 50th Anniversary Gala. The Hellenic Cultural Center welcomed friends and family of the Watertown Boys & Girls Club, including some of the earliest members. The audience of distinguished guests included former board members, board presidents, and executive directors, along with the Governor of Massachusetts.

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Watertown MCAS Data Looks Promising, School Committee to Discuss Details at 2 Meetings

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Watertown’s results on the 2022 MCAS generally look good, and the scores at two schools look very positive, Superintendent Dede Galdston told the School Committee on Oct. 24. The results of the MCAS, the state’s standardized test, and other measures used by the district will be discussed at a pair of upcoming School Committee meetings in early November. “The (Watertown) Middle School percentiles went way up as well as at the Lowell (Elementary),” Galdston said. “Everyone else did great, don’t get me wrong.

Around Town

See the Winners of the First Watertown’s Got Talent

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Charlie BreitroseJudges watch a performer during the first Watertown’s Got Talent hosted by the Watertown Community Foundation on Wednesday at Arsenal Yards. Talented Watertown residents from grade school to veteran performers showed off a range of talents on the stage at the River Green at Arsenal Yards Wednesday night during the first annual Watertown’s Got Talent contest. The event raised money for the Watertown Community Foundation, and the three winners took home prize packs. Performers sang, played music (including traditional Thai instruments), danced, and even performed magic. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Watertown News (@watertownmanews)

First place winner Jean Gauthier, a singer-songwriter and guitarist, sang a song she wrote for her late-cousin.

Government

Council Narrowly Passes Resolution Supporting Fair Share Amendment

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s City Hall. Despite every City Councilor personally supporting Massachusetts Ballot Question 1, known as the Fair Share Amendment, the Council narrowly approved a Resolution supporting passage of the ballot measure. The Fair Share Amendment would increase tax on income over $1 million from 5 percent to 9 percent, which includes salary, as well as profits on real estate sales. The additional tax would be spent on education and transportation. On Tuesday, Oct.

Government

Project Approved for Russo’s Site, Developer Makes Adjustments

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JacobsA view from Pleasant Street of the building approved for the former Russo’s site. The penthouse seen at the top was reduced by 3 feet in the front from the September proposal. The developer of the project going on the former Russo’s site adjusted plans after the first Planning Board hearing in September and received approval in October. The development includes a life science building constructed for an established pharmaceutical company, as well as a retail space that will be filled by a “world class” eatery. At the previous meeting, the Planning Board asked for the height of the penthouse holding mechanical equipment to be reduced, the biotech building to be pushed farther off the street, opportunities for public art, and to reduce the amount of asphalt.

Developers from Saracen Properties came back with some changes, and agreed to another at the Oct.