Around Town

Volunteers at the Senior Center Fill 100s of Plastic Eggs for the Brigham House Easter Egg Hunt

By |

Volunteers filled plastic eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt at Brigham House. Pictured, from left, Mary Ann Di Luzio, Maria Monahan, Theresa Cameron, Jo Balboni, and Paula Mahoney. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Tables full of volunteers at the Senior Center filled pink and yellow plastic eggs with candy in preparation for an intergenerational event at one of Watertown’s assisted living homes. On Monday, about 30 volunteers filled 250 eggs, and with another round on Tuesday, said Arlene Smith, who organized the event. “I enjoy filling the eggs,” said Jo Balboni, a volunteer who has two granddaughters.

Government

Council Approves Taking of Sterritt Lumber Site, Possible Uses Described in Document

By |

The City of Watertown will purchase the former Sterritt Lumber site at 148 Waltham St. The use has not yet been determined. The City Council approved a “friendly” taking of the former Sterritt Lumber site, with the proposed uses including senior citizen services, education, housing, and operation of utility networks. On Feb. 25, the Council approved allowing City Manager George Proakis to enter into an agreement with the property owners to purchase the 2-acre site at 148 Waltham St.

Around Town

Longtime Watertown Senior Center Employee Retiring

By |

Rae Grassia, second from right, is retiring after working for the City for 23 years, including most recently at the Senior Center. (Courtesy of Watertown Senior Center)

The Senior Center will be saying goodbye to longtime employee Rae Grassia, who has worked in the City of Watertown for nearly a quarter century. Before going to work with Watertown’s older adults, she worked at the Commander’s Mansion. The Senior Center included the following tribute in the January 2025 Senior Services Newsletter (read the whole newsletter by clicking here). Celebrating Rae’s Retirement!

Around Town

See Info About New Years Hours for City Departments Trash Delays

By |

The New Year holiday will impact hours at City facilities, including City Hall, the Library, and the Senior Center. Also, some residents will have trash and recycling pickup delays. See more in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Watertown City Hall, Parker Annex, and Senior Center will be closing at noon on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, and will be closed on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2024. The Department of Public Works Office will be closing at 11 AM on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, and will be closed on New Year’s Day.

Around Town

See the Lineup for the Watertown Senior Health and Wellness Fair

By |

The Department of Senior Services revealed the schedule for the Health and Wellness Fair taking place on Nov. 14. See details below. Reminder! The Department of Senior Services is hosting a Health and Wellness Fair on Thursday, November 14, 2024 from 12:00 – 3:00PM at the Hibernians Hall, located at 151 Watertown St.

Around Town

Harvest Halloween Festival Will Raise Funds for Activities for Watertown Seniors, Tickets Available

By |

Friends of the Council on Aging at the Watertown Senior Center will be hosting a Harvest Halloween Festival to raise funds to supplement various activities (shows, field trips, in-house programs) and take-out meals (Grab ‘n’ Go) for Watertown seniors. The Friends sent out the following announcement:

SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024

WHAT: Harvest Halloween Festival

Join the Friends for fun time – music, dancing, food, drinks available, even an optional costume contest with prize, a 50/50 raffle and more … WHERE: Hibernian Hall

151 Watertown St., Watertown, MA 02472

WHEN: Oct.

Around Town

Watertown Senior Services Receives AARP Community Challenge Grant

By |

The City of Watertown provided the following information:

Watertown’s Department of Senior Services is thrilled to announce they have been selected to receive a 2024 AARP Community Challenge grant. They are one of only 343 grantees selected (out of 3,300+ applications!) from across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “We are incredibly proud that AARP selected Watertown Department of Senior Services for this investment to make Watertown a more livable for residents of all ages,” stated Lydia McCoy, Watertown’s Director of Senior Services “AARP is a nationwide leader in making communities more livable and we are honored that they see the tangible value this project will bring to our area.”

Tenancy Preservation and Community Support Program for Older Adults in Watertown, MA

The City of Watertown’s Senior Service Tenancy Preservation and Community Support Program is a compassionate initiative dedicated to providing crucial support to seniors and their families in Watertown, MA. Our mission is to ensure that older adults aged 60 years or older can age in place with dignity and security, fostering intergenerational, livable communities where residents of all ages and backgrounds thrive together. This program will be run out of the City of Watertown’s Department of Senior Services.

Government

Hours of Watertown City Hall, Senior Center & More Changing After Council Vote

By |

Hours will be changing for Watertown City departments in City Hall, the Parker Annex, along with the Senior Center, after a City Council vote on Tuesday. These facilities will be open later on Tuesdays and close earlier on Fridays throughout the year. City Manager George Proakis said at a previous meeting that the change in hours would help the city recruit employees, and that many surrounding communities have early closings on Fridays. One area of concern was resident’s ability to pay bills at the Treasurer’s office on Fridays. “There have been discussions about how it affects particular employees, and how it impacts the public as a whole,” Proakis said.