HomeMy Public PortalAboutSpring 2021 City Manager NewsletterTown of Watertown
Spring 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
Kenneth M. Woodland, District D
Town of Watertown, Massachusetts 149 Main Street Watertown, Massachusetts 02472 www.watertown-ma.gov
Charter Review Is Happening Now!
Watertown is undertaking the once in a decade challenge of reviewing how our town government works and WANTS TO
HEAR FROM YOU! The Charter Review Committee is discussing and recommending changes to how Watertown is
governed so NOW IS YOUR CHANCE! The Committee meets the first and third Tuesday of the month, starting at 6 pm.
Visit https://www.watertown-ma.gov/charter to send in comments, sign up for notifications, and join us at the virtual
meetings.
Watertown Farmers' Market
The 2021 Farmers' Market season opens on Wednesday, June 16' and runs weekly through October 201h from 2:30 — 6:30pm.
The market is located in beautiful Saltonstall Park on the corner of Main Street & Whites Avenue. (Next to Town Hall, 149 Main
Street). Visit our website for news and information about this year's market and vendors: www.watertownmarket.com.
Bluebikes Bike Share Launches in Watertown
Watertown Bluebikes has launched, and spring is a great time to give it a try! Bluebikes is a bike share system where users can
get a bike at any station and return it to any station. The bikes can provide a direct link to MBTA stations and can connect to
other Bluebike stations in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Newton, and Arlington.
Bluebikes offers many membership options, including annual, monthly and an income -eligible option. A single ride for non-
members is $2.50. Start by going to bluebikes.com, or download the app.
Bluebike stations are or will be at these locations:
1. Coolidge Square, in front of Coolidge Playground, northeast corner of Arlington St. and Mt. Auburn St. (installed)
2. Arsenal Yards, facing Arsenal Street (installed)
3. Watertown Square, at the Bus Delta (installed)
4. Watertown Square across from Town Hall (installed)
5. Nichols Ave. at the Community Path, within the parking lot at Linx (just installed!)
Arsenal Street at Kingsbury Street, near Mosesian Center for the Arts, on the campus of Arsenal on the Charles
(coming soon)
7. Arsenal Street, in front of 202 Arsenal (vacant lot), between Gables and Elan (just installed!)
8. California Street at Fifth Avenue, near the DCR Charles River Path (coming soon)
Watertown Bluebikes is funded by a combination of public and private sources, including MassDOT, Arsenal Yards, Marriott
Residence Inn, Alexandria, and the Town of Watertown.
Watertown Free Public Library
The Watertown Free Public Library is open for browsing and checkouts with curbside pickup service available. We offer special
hours for ages 65+ and those with underlying health conditions every weekday, 9 — 10 AM. Please review our safety policies and
hours before you visit: watertownlib.org/reopening
Office of the Town Manager • 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 • 617-972-6465 0 watertown-ma.go
Laptops and Hot Spots
Need internet access? WFPL is now providing laptops and internet hot spots for patrons to take home for two weeks at a time
Call 617-972-6431 or visit watertownlib.org/laptops to make a reservation
WFPL Homebound Delivery
If you are stuck at home due to a medical necessity, we can deliver books to you. Sign up here: watertownlib.org/delivery
The Library of Things
Did you know you can borrow a metal detector, a stand mixer, or a power washer with your library card? The Library of Things
is WFPL's collection of non-traditional materials. Browse the full collection at watertownlib.org/things
Questions about using the Library? Call us at 617-972-6431 or visit watertownlib.org
Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center/Food Pantry
The Watertown Senior Center building is closed to visitors, but staff members are available to connect you to their Zoom
programs and to provide information and referral for supportive services. Senior Parking Permits, which provide up to two hours
of free parking in Watertown municipal parking lots, can be renewed over the phone, and new permits can be purchased by
calling the Senior Center and making an appointment. Applications are available for the FY 2022 Property Tax Work -Off
Program, where adults age 60 and over volunteer in a Town department in exchange for a reduction on their property taxes. The
Watertown Food Pantry is open Tuesdays, 10 AM until 2 PM at 80 Mt. Auburn Street, rear. Shelf -stable food donations are
accepted at the Food Pantry on Tuesdays starting at 8:30 AM until 2:00 PM at the Food Pantry. 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 SeniorCenter@watertown-
ma.gov.
Department of Public Works
In the spring, bag your grass clippings for curbside pickup. See the pick-up calendar at
https://www.watertowndpw.or,g/DocumentCenterNiew/I 129/202 1 -Collection-Calendar. 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: https://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? See www.inysticriver.org/stormwater
Check out the DPW home page (hgps://www.watertowndpw.org) for weekly construction updates and frequently asked
questions.
Overgrown Vegetation
Spring is almost upon us, please maintain your property to prevent blight and hazardous conditions by ensuring that:
1. Vegetation does not intrude into public sidewalks by more than 6-inches, except at a height of 8-feet or above the
public sidewalk (i.e., tree limbs)
2. A clear view/sightline is maintained at intersections, and adjacent to driveways, by keeping vegetation, hedges,
fences, etc. below 3-feet
3. Any parcel of land, vacant or otherwise, is maintained so that such parcel of land is free from overgrown vegetation
and standing water.
For more information, contact Michael Mena, Zoning Enforcement Officer, at (617) 972-64278 or mmenakwatertown-ma.gov.
Follow Watertown on Twitter: @watertowngov I Facebook: watertowngov I Instagram: watertownmagov I Online:
watertown-ma.gov I Sign up for Emergency Alerts at watertown-ma.gov/emergency I Get the Watertown Mobile App and Stay
Connected: watertown-ma.gov/mobileapps
Office of the Town Manager o 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 • 617-972-6465 0 watertown-ma.go