Environment

LETTER: River Clean Up Removed Trash, Items Already Re-accumulating

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To the Editor:

Two weeks after the Annual Charles River Cleanup, April 29, I went back to the area behind the Stop & Shop, 700 Pleasant Street.  On the day of the Cleanup, members of Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice and the Environment hauled from the banks of the river bags and bags of trash, including a large car part identified as a catalytic converter. By noon the area looked immaculate. On my follow-up visit, trash had started to re-accumulate. Back again along the banks were scatterings of sanitizing wipes and advertising flyers.

Charles River

Bag of Drugs May Belong to Man Caught Trying To Evade Arrest by Jumping in River

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Watertown Police announced they are seeking to link a suspect in a drug arrest to a bag full of multiple drugs found near where he abandoned his car and jumped into the Charles River two weeks ago. London Cohen, 28, of Chelsea, was arrested on April 17 on charges of possession with intent to distribute a Class B Drug – cocaine, drug violations near a school or park, and multiple vehicle charges related to the chase on which he lead police. Police began following Cohen on Whitcomb Street, and tried to pull his grey Honda Accord over on Waverley Avenue. He pulled over on Summer Street but when the officer got out of his vehicle Cohen sped away, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. Officers followed him to Pleasant Street where Cohen jumped out of his car, headed toward the Charles River Path.

Environment

Former EPA Official Speaking at Charles River Watershed Assoc.’s Annual Meeting

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On Wednesday, March 22—World Water Day—Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) will hold its 51st Annual Meeting at the Boston Marriott Newton. Bob Perciasepe, president of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), an internationally recognized think tank, will deliver the keynote address outlining paths forward for environmental policy and action. Perciasepe’s experiences as former U.S. EPA Deputy Administrator, Maryland state environment secretary, and a city planner, inform his approach to advancing smart energy and environmental policies. In a time of federal environmental policy retrenchment, Perciasepe’s insights are especially salient. At the Annual Meeting, CRWA will recognize public officials, environmental advocates and volunteers whose hard work helps protect the Charles River.

Around Town

Pedestrian Bridge Over Charles River in Watertown Being Replaced

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The Joseph Thompson Pedestrian Bridge over the Charles River, west of Watertown Square, is out of commission for a while as the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) constructs a new span. 

The new bridge will be less sloped than the present one, so that it meets ADA accessibility requirements, according to the DCR. Construction will be completed by the end of 2017, depending on weather and other factors, a DCR release said. The final work may not be finished until the spring of 2018. The total cost of the project will be $1.5 million, which includes fabricating a new bridge, remove the old bridge and construct a new supporting substructure elements – such as footings, abutments, and retaining walls.

Arsenal Mall

LETTER: Tower at Arsenal Mall Too Tall, Will Loom Over Charles River

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To the citizens of Watertown, regarding the Arsenal Project MP/SP proposal,

As I sat in the audience of the Planning Board meeting of Dec. 14, 2016, I was again disappointed. In over a year of meetings the issue which I thought would have been a major concern to both the citizens of Watertown, the city councilors and the city planning department employees was rarely discussed. The issue I am referring to is the development of a 12 story building (building “G”) approximately 100 feet from Greenough Boulevard. Now the reason the developer wants to build this building is obvious.

Around Town

Celebrate the New Charles River Path, Park & Join a Guided Walk or Bike Ride

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Come out to see the improved Charles River Path, the new park along the river, and join in a guided walk or bike ride around the area or just enjoy the park and play some games. 

The event will be on Sunday, Oct. 2, from 10 a.m. t0 1 p.m., and is part of Watertown Moves. The event is sponsored by Live Well Watertown and the Watertown Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, and co-sponsored by Livable Watertown. The activities will be held a the newly refurbished Watertown Riverfront Park, featuring the Braille Trail, on Charles River Road at Irving Street (see the map below). Knucklebones will be at the park to facilitate games and group activities.

Around Town

Improved Riverside Park a World Class Example of Accessibility for the Blind

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The recently refurbished section of the Charles River Path east of Watertown Square not only replaced crumbling paths with smooth and clean new ones, but added new features so that the blind and visually impaired can get more out of their visit to the area. 

State officials joined local supporters at the ribbon cutting for the Watertown Riverfront Park and Braille Trail on Thursday morning. The celebration came many years after the idea of improving the area first surfaced. “This is my first time here, and I am shocked how beautiful it turned out,” said Matt Beaton, Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. “It is truly a gem along the gem we have in our Charles River.” New sand-cover paths wind along about 5,000 feet of the riverfront near the intersection of Charles River Road and Irving Street, with features such as overlooks and areas to view the river, similar to other sections of the Charles River.

Around Town

Library Offering Guided Walk Along Charles River With Nature Photographer

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A local nature photographer will lead a guided walk along the Charles River in conjunction with the Watertown Free Public Library. The library sent out the following information:

Spring time along the Charles is rich with wildlife. On Saturday, June 4 at 10:30 a.m., naturalist photographer Carole Berney will host a guided river walk starting on the patio outside the Watertown Free Public Library at 123 Main St. Feel free to bring your cameras! The walk is limited to 15 people, ages 16 and up.