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HomeMy Public PortalAboutSpring 2022 City Manager NewsletterCity of Watertown Spring 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, Massachnsetts 149 Main Street Watertown, Massachusetts 02472 www.watertown-ina.gov Boards, Commissions and Committees The City of Watertown is currently seeking applications to fill vacancies on the following Boards/Commissions/Committees: Conservation Commission Traffic Commission Council on Aging Stormwater Advisory Committee Cable Access Corporation Board of Directors Historical Commission Commission on Disability Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee Historic District Commission 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 citymgrgwatertown-ma.gov or City Manager's Office, 149 Main Street. You can view upcoming meetings and events on the City's website. www.watertown-ma. gov. Comprehensive Plan Update The City of Watertown is excited to launch its Comprehensive Plan Update. This 18-month process will be led by the Department of Community Development and Planning in partnership with a Planning Advisory Committee. This highly public process will also include you, Watertown's residents and business and property owners. We will be seeking your input on the plan's various topics including land uses, transportation, economic development, open space and recreation, and more! Please visit our website (www.watertown-ma.gov/comp-plan) for updates as the planning gets under way! Memorial Day Kickoff: Poppy Picnic Join us Friday May 27th for the Poppy Picnic, a Memorial Day kickoff event honoring the Veterans who have gone before us. The event will be from 5:30pm-7:30pm at the Commander's Mansion on Talcott Avenue. Food and beverages available; event is free and open to anyone looking for an opportunity to honor Veterans and military families. Demonstrations will be provided by Northeast Passage, an adaptive -recreation program based out of the University of New Hampshire; and the Veterans' Freedom Garden will be unveiled at the Commander's Mansion. Donations will be accepted in support of Operation American Soldier. Page 1 of 3 Watertown Free Public Library 2417 Hold Lockers at the Library WFPL is excited to announce a new (and novel) library service for patrons — 24/7 hold lockers. Just like at Amazon and UPS, you now have the option to pick up your Library holds outside, on your own schedule, even when the Library is closed. This service expands library access for those that work during our open hours, and those that prefer the "grab and go" convenience and safety of curbside pickup. Learn how it works at watertownlib.org/lockers Watertown Collective Mennory Project The Library is embarking on a mission to preserve Watertown's recent history, from 1950 to the present day, and we need your help. All community members are invited to submit family photos and memories to be scanned into the Library's local history collection. Bring your photos to our digitization events at the Library on April 3 and June 12! Learn more: watertownlib.org/memory City Clerk's Office The Watertown Board of Election Commissioners is recruiting Poll Workers to join our team. Poll workers are responsible for providing every voter an efficient and enjoyable experience on Election Day. Tasks include checking in voters, answering general questions, and providing assistance to all voters. Poll workers must be over 18 years of age and be able to attend mandatory training. Election workers are the key to all successful elections!! For more information, and to complete and submit an application for consideration, please visit Poll Worker Employment I Watertown, MA - Official Website (watertown-ma.gov) or contact the City Clerk's Office at (617) 972-6486. We are grateful for your willingness to be a part of our democracy! Resilient Watertown Climate and Energy Plan Watertown has been working to develop a comprehensive Climate and Energy Plan, a unified vision that outlines goals, strategies, and actions to drastically reduce our contribution to climate change and enhance our resilience to its impacts. City Council will be working towards its adoption in the coming months. Visit resilient.watertown-ma.goov to read the plan. Shick House The Historical Society of Watertown, through generous funding from the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, has had a sign created to commemorate the house and farm located at 183 Grove St, once owned by Jacob and Mary Shick, who operated a dairy in Watertown for decades early in the 20th Century, one of the few Jewish -owned farms in Massachusetts. The sign will identify the location of this historically significant property and its importance to Watertown's history for generations to come. Later this spring the Historical Society will hold a sign unveiling event, date and time to be announced soon. Please visit www.historicalsocietyofwaterown.org or their Facebook page for event date and time. Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center The Watertown Senior Center is open for visitors, and staff are available to provide assistance with SNAP, Fuel Assistance, MassHealth, SHINE, Senior Parking Permits, and other programs and activities. The Senior Shuttle Bus is on the road by appointment only for grocery shopping and other social trips. For bus services, any senior -related issues, or to be added to the newsletter mailing list call (617) 972-6490 or send an email to SeniorCentergwatertown-ma. go . You can also receive the newsletter and other senior updates electronically by signing up on the City website in the Notifications system and selecting Senior Center/Council on Aging. Page 2of3 Department of Public Works In the spring, bag your grass clippings for curbside pickup. See the pick-up calendar at https://www.watertowndpw. org/DocumentCenterNiew/ 1529/2022-Trash-and-Recycling-Collection-Calendar- PDF. Even better, leave the clippings on the ground or compost them to make a natural fertilizer. But whatever you do, don't dump them in a storm drain or leave them on the sidewalk! Also, if you use too much fertilizer, the excess will just wash away in the next rain, polluting your local waterways. Wondering if you need fertilizer? Get a soil test: hops://ag.umass.edu/services/soil-plant-nutrient- testing-laboratory/ordering-information-forms. If you need to use fertilizer, use a slow -release, non -phosphorus fertilizer (look for "0" as the middle number). Want more tips? Check out: https://www.watertowndpw.ora/215/How-can-I-help Information Technology Department Stay in touch by following the City on social media and visiting online: • Facebook: watertowngov • Twitter: watertowngov • Instagram: watertownmagov • Website: www.watertown-ma. gov Click on the Connect button on the left side of the screen on City's website to gain access to information about how to subscribe to the email and SMS Notifications, Meeting Agendas, and Emergency Alerts. Download the new Watertown MA mobile app powered by SeeClickFix from the App Store, to easily get City information on your device and submit 311 service requests. New in 2022, Watertown cat and dog owners can now license their pets at www.petdata.com Page 3of3