Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAboutSummer 2022 City Manager NewsletterCity of Watertown Summer 2022 Newsletter Issued by Thomas J. Tracy, Acting City Manager Watertown City Council Mark S. Sideris, President Vincent J. Piccirilli, Vice President John M. Airasian, At -Large Caroline J. Bays, At -Large John G. Gannon, At -Large Anthony Palomba, At- Large Nicole N. Gardner, District A Lisa J. Feltner, District B Emily C. Izzo, District D City of Watertown, Massachusetts 149 Main Street Watertown, Massachusetts 02472 www.watertown-ina.gov Residential Exemption Applications are in the Mail Historically, the Watertown City Council has voted each year to exempt a fixed amount of the assessment of every owner -occupied residential property. Applications to all home purchasers in calendar year 2021 have been mailed. Please fill out the application upon receipt. Once you have the residential exemption, the exemption stays with the property until the property is sold, you move or the deed changes. The Council votes on the amount in the fall and the exemption is applied to the December 31, 2022, bill for Fiscal Year 2023 (July 1, 2022 — June 30, 2023). Please call the Assessors' Office with any questions (617) 972-6410. Summer Reading 2022 Stay active and keep reading this summer! The Watertown Free Public Library has plenty of ideas, activities, and book recs to keep the whole family busy — on vacation or here at home. For Children, we're hosting a Summer Reading Kickoff and Book Signing with bestselling Wings of Fire author Tui T. Sutherland on June 27! For Teens, we're offering crafts, book clubs, and game nights. For adults, we've created a "grown-up" book bingo game packed with summer diversions and reading suggestions. See what's coming up at watertownlib.org/summer Help the Library Create a Record of This Community Do you have photos of favorite people, places, buildings, or events from the last 70 years? Share them with the Watertown Collective Memory Project! You can upload online or bring them to the Library at 123 Main Street. We'll scan and return them to you. Learn more: watertownlib.org/memory Watertown Is Getting a Bookmobile! We expect it to debut at the Watertown Arts Market on August 13, 2022. Stay tuned! Watertown Arts Market The Watertown Arts Market is an outdoor celebration of Watertown Artists and Cultural Organizations that features work by Watertown -based artists, art for sale, live music and performances, art -making opportunities, and local food. The Arts Market is an initiative of the Watertown Business Coalition in partnership with the City of Watertown and generously supported by the Watertown Community Foundation and Mass Cultural Council. August 13, 2022. 12-5pm at Arsenal Park. FREE for all ages. Artist Workspace Survey The Community Development & Planning Department is collecting feedback from individual artists who live or work in Watertown to understand their workspace needs. Artists working across all genres and mediums are invited to give their input. Additionally, artists who are interested in commuting to Watertown are invited to contribute. Your feedback is anonymous unless you would like to be contacted for a follow-up interview. The survey takes about 7 minutes to complete and can be found on the city website: hgps://forms.office.com/g/erTPYv5bu8 Watertown Historic Plaque Program Application Did you know that you can order a historic plaque to hang outside of your home? A historic plaque is a handsome, wooden plaque that holds the name of the original owner of your house, along with the name of the architect or builder, and the year the building of your home was commissioned. When you order a plaque for your home, members of the Watertown Historical Commission will conduct research to verify the historic information to be placed on the plaque. A historic plaque is a great way to express pride in the architectural, historical heritage that is unique and specific to your home! A historic plaque does not classify your house as historic, or commit its structure to any protective ordinances, or limit the potential for design in any way. You may obtain a plaque application on the City Website on the Historical Commission page, and order a plaque for your home today! Do your "Doody" for clean water... Scoop the Poop! You hate stepping in it. And fish hate swimming in it. Always pick up after your pet to prevent harmful bacteria from ending up in our water. When it rains, dog poop and other pollutants are carried over our sidewalks, driveways, and roads into the nearest storm drain where they flow - untreated - directly into the Charles River. Dog waste carries high levels of harmful E. coli bacteria and other pathogens that increase public health risks and can cause infections. All dog owners must pick up after their dogs and dispose of waste properly at all times (Watertown Animal Control Ordinance 91.17). No pet waste may be disposed of in storm drains (Watertown Stormwater Ordinance 97.07). Let's all do our part to protect our water! Information Technology Department Check out the City's website at www.watertown-ma. og_v and be sure to click on the Connect button on the left side of the screen to gain access to information about how to subscribe to the email and SMS Notifications, Meeting Agendas, and Emergency Alerts. Download the Watertown MA mobile app powered by SeeClickFix from the App Store, to easily get City information on your device and submit 311 service requests. Stay in touch by following the City on social media and visiting online: • Facebook: watertowngov • Twitter: watertowngov • Instagram: watertownmagov • Website: www.watertown-ma.gov Administration Building and Senior Center Summer Hours through Friday, September 2. The Administration Building and Senior Center Summer hours of operation on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are 8:30am to 5pm; Tuesdays from 8:30am to 7pm and Fridays from 8:30am to 2pm. The Building Inspectors' Office is open at 7:30am until 5pm or 7pm, when all offices in the Administration Building are open. Payments after business hours may be placed in the drop-off box located on Thaxter Street (between Library and Administration Building). Boards, Commissions and Committees By serving on a City 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 citymgr@watertown-ma.gov or City Manager's Office, 149 Main Street. You can view upcoming meetings and events on the City's website. http://www.watertown-ma.gov.