Around Town

Watertown Library Displaying Newly Restored Map from 1856

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A newly restored map of Middlesex County from 1856 now hangs on the second floor of the Watertown Free Public Library. A piece of history now hangs on the second floor of the Watertown Free Public Library, near the study area and computers. The map of Middlesex County dates to 1856, and was recently restored as part of the library’s effort to preserve the town’s history. The map shows the outlines of the communities of Middlesex County and measures about 5 feet by 5 feet. It was created by Henry Francis Walling who served as “Superintendent of the State Map” for Massachusetts.

Around Town

See the Activities at Hatch Makerspace in August

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Get your mind ready to be creative, make a traditional instrument and much more is going on at the Hatch Maker Space. The following information was provided by the Hatch Makerspace:

Hatch Makerspace is located at 20 Summer Street in Watertown, MA. An extension of the Watertown Free Public Library, it is a public workshop with space, equipment, and materials available for your use. For more information contact Liz Helfer, HatchCoordinator: ehelfer@watertown-ma.gov | 781-795-2309

Say hello to Hatch at the Watertown Farmer’s Market!Stop by the WFPL table on Wednesday, August 14th to enjoy a family-friendly crafting activity! Workshop spotlight: Art Studio – Mindful MendingJoin Watertown artist, Amelia Young, in an exploration of mindful mending.

Around Town

Hit the Watertown Library & Other Spots the Minuteman Library Crawl

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A view of what the current Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Free Library and libraries around the Minuteman Library Network are hosting a library crawl on Aug. 1. The Watertown Library provided the following information:

The Minuteman libraries invite you to join a network-wide scavenger hunt, explore the libraries near you, and learn what makes each one special. A “crawl,” or tour, is a fun way to visit multiple Libraries in your area.

Around Town

Learn About Cartooning, Create Rube Goldberg at HATCH Makerspace

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Hatch Makerspace has tons of activities in July, including learning cartooning and caricature, Rube Goldberg-esque creations, 3-D modeling, or hit one of the weekly drop-in sessions. The Makerspace is part of the Watertown Free Public Library. It is a public workshop with space, equipment, and materials available for you to use. 

Here are some of the workshops going on at Hatch, located at 20 Summer Street in Watertown. It is open Monday-Thursday, 1-9 p.m., Friday-Sunday 1-4 p.m. Hatch will be closed on July 4 for Independence Day. Hours are updated regularly online: watertownlib.org/hatch

Workshop spotlight: Art Studio – Cartoon and CaricatureLearn the basics of cartoon and caricature drawing from Watertown artist, Adrian Alvarez.

Around Town

Recently Finished Projects Makes Watertown Library More Friendly to the Disabled

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The Watertown Free Public Library. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:

The Watertown Free Public Library recently completed two Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvement projects. First, the front patio was extended three feet to allow everyone, including people with mobility devices, to enjoy the coveted outside space. Inside, automatic door openers were added to the entrances of the children’s, teen, and Watertown Savings Bank Room, the large meeting room on the first floor. “Given that our library was renovated in 2006, we don’t find many accessibility issues with the building.

Around Town

Watertown Library Offers a Universe of Summer Reading Options

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A view of what the current Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Library provided the following announcement:

Summer reading at the Watertown Free Public Library begins soon! This year’s theme is A Universe of Stories, and we can’t wait to share our stellar book lists, reading challenges, and prizes with you. The library offers summer reading programs for all ages, so whether you’re a fan of CatStronauts, Star Wars, or Stephen Hawking, we’re bound to have something that’s about your speed. And by the way, summer reading isn’t limited to space books!

Entertainment

Birds of Prey, Fireflies & Urban Foraging at the Watertown Library

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The Watertown Free Public Library. Meet real birds of prey, find out about fireflies and take a walk with an urban forager during events hosted by the Watertown Free Public Library in May. The following information came from the Watertown Library:

Wingmasters: New England Birds of Prey

Saturday, 5/18 | 10:15 a.m. | WATERTOWN SAVINGS BANK ROOM

Meet real birds of prey! We are thrilled to welcome WINGMASTERS back for a program about New England’s raptor species. These stunning creatures sit at the top of the food chain, but their status is being threatened by changes further down the line. Raptor rehabilitators Julie Anne Collier and Jim Parks and their stunning birds of prey help us understand the plight of these predators in today’s world.

Government

Increases for Police, Fire, Schools Library & DPW Included in Watertown’s FY2020 Budget

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Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll revealed the Fiscal Year 2020 budget on Tuesday. Next year’s Watertown Budget includes money for an additional police office, a new leadership role in the Fire Department, and at the Library. Tuesday night, Town Manager Michael Driscoll presented the Fiscal Year 2020 budget to the Town Council. The total operating budget is $147.76 million, which is an increase of 3.89 percent or $5.53 million. When Driscoll presented the budget projection in October, there was a shortfall of about $800,000, but Tuesday he said the Town’s revenues came in close to $1.5 million above the projections.