Government

NEW TIME: Two Chances to Hear from Council President Candidates

By |

(Note: The time of the Chamber’s debate has changed. See the new time below)

The two candidates for City Council President will appear in a pair of candidate events this week. WCA-TV & Watertown News Hosting Live Forum

On Wednesday, Oct. 11, Watertown Cable News, Watertown Cable Access Corp and Watertown News will host an election forum featuring the two candidates running for City Council President. Incumbent Mark Sideris is being challenged by former Town Council President Clyde Younger.

Business

Local Favorites Old & New Featured in Charles River Chamber’s “Get to Know Watertown Video”

By |

Courtesy of Charles River Regional Chamber

The following information was provided by the Charles River Chamber of Commerce:

On Friday, the Charles River Regional Chamber is releasing the first of four videos to promote Watertown, Wellesley, Newton and Needham to visitors. “Get to Know Watertown” features a mix of iconic establishments, cultural attractions and new destinations throughout the city, including Donohue’s Bar & Grill, Sevan Bakery, the Mosesian Center for the Arts and Bar ‘Cino.  

The “Get to Know” videos are the second phase of the chamber’s “Take A Trip Up the Charles” campaign launched in 2022 designed to encourage visitors to Greater Boston and people who live in neighboring communities to explore the many offerings in these vibrant communities located just a few miles upstream along the Charles. “Our goal is to support our local economy by highlighting scenic, historic, cultural, recreational, lodging, dining and retail destinations that make our communities unique to those visiting the region, or from the next community over,” said Chamber President Greg Reibman. 

“We had a lot of fun working with so many business owners across Watertown to make this video,” Reibman added.  “We also wanted to thank the folks at City Hall who helped provide many of the events and public art photos that are such an important part in telling why everyone should get to know Watertown.”

Reibman said he hopes everyone who enjoys the video will share it with customers, e-newsletters and on their social media feeds.  

The $16,500 campaign is funded by Meet Boston! and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.

Schools

Watertown Student Awarded Charles River Chamber Scholarship

By |

Zuhayr Masud

The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Chamber:

The Charles River Regional Chamber is once again awarding four scholarships to deserving seniors from our core communities. This year’s Watertown recipient is Zuhayr Masud. Zuhayr Masud is a 2023 graduate of Watertown High School who is “a unique individual who is curious, collaborative, and extraordinarily intelligent,” said teacher, Vivienne Mulhall. As the class president, Alex has a variety of extracurricular activities and talents, including the impressive art portfolio of his artistic evolution in high school. Zuhayr outreached and lead a school campaign to advocate for the Fair Share Amendment that resulted in the school committee’s endorsement.

Business

Watertown Business Coalition Holding Joint Event With Charles River Chamber

By |

Two groups supporting Watertown businesses and organizations will be getting together for a networking event in July. The Watertown Business Coalition and the Charles River Regional Chamber will hold a coffee connect on Wednesday, July 19 starting at 8:30 p.m. The event will be held at Arsenal Yards the green space between Buttermilk & Bourbon and Shake Shack. The event is free for members of either group, and also for non-members. Coffee and goodies will be available. Click here to Register.

Around Town

Lt. Gov. Hears from Local Businesses at Chamber Event, Pushes for Housing, Job Training & Free PreK

By |

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, right, spoke at the Charles River Regional Chamber’s Spring Business Breakfast where Joe Prestejohn (left), owner of Cabot’s Ice Cream, was honored. (Photo courtesy of Charles River Chamber

NEEDHAM — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll stressed the importance of small businesses to make communities places where people want to live when she spoke at the Charles River Regional Chamber, but she added that Massachusetts faces challenges that could hurt business big and small such as the cost of housing, lack of qualified and even the cost of childcare. Driscoll also heard directly from business owners about some of the things that make it more difficult for them to thrive. She gave the keynote address at the Chamber’s Spring Business Breakfast on June 2. During the event, held at the Sheraton Boston Needham Hotel, the Chamber also honored Joe Prestejohn, the retiring owner of a Newton institution — Cabot’s Ice Cream & Restaurant.

Business

Charles River Chamber’s Women Impact Network Meeting in Watertown

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Chamber:

Build relationships with chamber colleagues while enjoying some of the finest restaurants in our communities! Our popular networking lunch series moves to Taffer’s Tavern at Watertown’s Arsenal Yards. Arrive by 11:30 a.m. for casual networking before being seated for lunch noon to 1 p.m.Select your entrée from the following signature items on the registration screen. Your $30 event fee will cover two-course lunch, and gratuity – 100% goes directly to Taffer’s. Please note we are unable to accommodate special menu requests or modifications

Open to chamber members and future members who have not previously attended a luncheon and are interested in learning more about the chamber’s Women’s Impact Network. Advanced registration is required and space is limited.

Around Town

Six People with Watertown Ties Made Charles River Chamber’s List of Most Influential Business Leaders of Color

By |

Half a dozen people living or working in Watertown made the list of Most Influential Business Leaders of Color chosen by Charles River Chamber of Commerce, which focused on both established leaders and emerging ones. The search for people of color making a positive contribution to the economic fabric of businesses and non-profits in the suburbs west of Boston began in January when the Chamber put out a call for nominations, said President Greg Reibman of the Charles River Chamber. The list was culled down from close to 200 nominations for either the “50 Most Influential Leaders” or “Emerging Leaders” lists. To qualify, honorees have to work and/or sit on a board for a business or nonprofit that is physically located in Newton, Needham, Watertown, Waltham, Wellesley, Natick, or Framingham. “Then we leaned on an eminent panel of judges to curate our final lists, in partnership with Colette Phillips and Get Konnected!”

Government

Linkage Fee Approved by City Council, Developers Have Longer to Make Payment

By |

Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

The City Council approved a linkage fee on large developments that would be used to create affordable housing in Watertown. The ordinance also spreads the fees into two payments and the City can consider offers of housing units or land in lieu of the fee. Before they deliberated and voted, the Council heard from people advocating for changes to the proposed ordinance. Charles River Regional Chamber President Greg Reibman, who represented multiple developers who do business in Watertown, asked to delay the start of the fees until 2024, and phase in the amount starting with $5.56 per sq. ft.