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Home My Public Portal AboutFall 2021 City Manager NewsletterTown of Watertown Autumn 2021 Newsletter Issued by Michael J. Driscoll, Town Manager Watertown Town Council Mark S. Sideris, President Vincent J. Piccirilli, Vice President Caroline Bays, At -Large Anthony J. Donato, At -Large John G. Gannon, At -Large Anthony Palomba, At- Large Angeline B. Kounelis, District A Lisa J. Feltner, District B Vacancy, District D Town of Watertown, Massachusetts 149 Main Street Watertown, Massachusetts 02472 www.watertown-ma.gov Local Election on November 2, 2021 Mark your calendars for our upcoming local Election on November 2, 2021. Polls will be open from 7:00 AM — 8:00 PM. You must register to vote by Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at 8:00 PM to be able to vote in this Election. Unsure where to vote? Please check here: https://www.watertown-ma.gov/259Noting-Polling-Locations If you will be unable to come to the polls on Election Day, you may request a Vote by Mail Ballot and have a ballot mailed to you. You may use this application: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/2021-Vote-by-Mail-Application.pdf or you may simply send us a written request containing your full name, home address, address where you want your ballot mailed, and signature. No request can be processed without a signature! Last day to request a Vote by Mail ballot is Thursday, October 28a . Ballots must be received at the Town Clerk's Office by close of polls on Election Day. Please note that the U.S. Postal Service recommends allowing up to 7 days for ballot delivery in each direction, so plan accordingly. For more information concerning Election Day and Vote by Mail, please call the Town Clerk's Office at 617-972-6486 Proposed Charter Changes on the November 2, 2021 Ballot Make your voice heard! Watertown Voters have an opportunity to vote on proposed changes to the Home Rule Charter. Learn more at www.watertown-ma.gov/charter Every ten years, the Watertown Charter Review Committee must review the Town Charter. Charter Review enables Watertown to evaluate how well it functions and serves its residents. It is an opportunity to learn how the town operates and guide how services are delivered in the future. A Home Rule Charter is a document that establishes the government's structure and defines the organization, functions, specific powers, legal control and essential procedures. In Watertown, the Charter explains the responsibilities of the Town Council, Town Manager, School Committee, Library Trustees, Boards, and all aspects of government, from how elections are run to how our budget is developed and approved. Pleasant Street Commuter Shuttle is launched! Residents are welcome on the Watertown Transportation Management Association (WTMA) commuter shuttle, connecting Pleasant Street to Watertown Square and Harvard Square. ➢ Cost to residents is $1.00/ trip. Tickets are available to be downloaded onto your smartphone, or paper tickets are available at the Town Clerk's office. Minimum purchase is $10. ➢ Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 6:30-9:30 AM and 4:00 to 7:00 PM This project is funded by a combination of Town, State and private funds. For more information, go to: https://www.watertowntma.ora/watconnector-pleasant-street or contact Laura Wiener, Sr. Transportation Planner, lwiener(i watertown- ma.gov; 617 972-6417. Bluebikes Watertown has 8 Bluebikes stations, including right across Main Street from Town Hall, in the Watertown Square Bus Delta, and the newest station, on California Street at Fifth Avenue, near the Charles River Greenway. Try Bluebikes for a day, or join for $109/year, and ride to Cambridge, Boston, Newton, Arlington and beyond. Ride a bike to the Red Line and leave it there while you take the T_ For station locations and more information go to www.bluebikes.com. Page 1 of 2 Commander's Mansion Save the Dates! `lil Monster Joyride Saturday, October 231d. Christmas at the Mansion Saturday, December 4' Seeking volunteers for both community events — please reach out to info(&commandersmansion.com for more details! Follow us on Instagram & Facebookfor more information. Rodent and Pest control in Watertown Covid19 has drawn rodents away from restaurants and industrial areas into residential neighborhood in search of food, water, and shelter. It is more important than ever to help the community by ensuring food sources such as bird feeders and gardens are cleaned up frequently and trash and compost is sealed shut, no standing water is kept, and vegetation is maintained. Please check out the Health Department's website for more information on combating rodents. Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center/Food Pantry The Watertown Senior Center now offers a variety of morning programs on Zoom, and in -person group activities at the Senior Center in the afternoons, such as card games, chess, chair volleyball, knitting circle, and movies. Senior Parking Permits can be renewed over the phone, and new permits can be purchased by stopping in at the Senior Center. Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15. Call the Senior Center to schedule an appointment with a SHINE counselor to make changes to your plan. (617) 972-6490. The Watertown Food Pantry is open Tuesdays, 10 AM until 2 PM at 80 Mt. Auburn Street, rear. Food donations are accepted at the Food Pantry on Tuesdays starting at 8:00 AM until 1:30 PM. For more information about the Food Pantry or any senior issues, call the Senior Center at (617) 972-6490 or send an e-mail to SeniorCenterkwatertown-ma.gov. Watertown Free Public Library Questions about using the Library? Call us at 617-972-6431 or visit watertownlib.org The Watertown Free Public Library is open Monday through Sunday with full library services available. Programs are offered online and in - person. Masks are required for all people ages two and older inside the Library. For hours and information, visit watertownlib.ore Library Newsletter There's a lot happening here! Stay up-to-date on all the free programs and resources offered by your local Library by signing up for our monthly email newsletter: watertownlib.ore/eNews Information Technology Department Stay in touch by following the Town on social media and visiting online: • Facebook: watertowngov • Twitter: watertowngov • Instagram: watertownmagov • Website: www.watertown-ma.gov Coming soon: The new Watertown website and mobile app are coming this fall. There will also be new Notify Me subscriptions to sign up for to receive updates and information about community news and happenings Only Rain in the Storm Drain The Department of Public Works would like to remind everyone this fall that only rain should go in the storm drain! After enjoying the fall foliage this season, please do not rake piles of leaves directly on the roadway or sidewalk and please do not dump them in the storm drain! Not only can blocked storm drains cause flooding, contents entering storm drains flow directly to our waterways. Consider composting or mulching your leaves. You can review the trash and recycling collection calendar, which also has information on how to properly prepare and place your yard waste to be collected curbside. Collection calendar can be viewed here: httns://www.watertowndDw.ore/DocumentCenterNiew/ 1129/2021-Collection-Calendar Boards, Commissions and Committees By serving on a Town Board/Commission/Committee you will make a valuable contribution to the community of Watertown and meet other residents who share similar interests. Even if you cannot serve on a committee all Watertown residents are welcome to attend any of the many committee meetings held. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume by email to townmgr@watertown- ma.gov or Town Manager's Office, 149 Main Street. You can view upcoming meetings and events on the Town's website. www.watertown- ma.gov. Page 2 of 2