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Home My Public Portal AboutSummer 2021 City Manager NewsletterTown of Watertown Summer 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 Town of Watertown, Massachusetts 149 Main Street Watertown, Massachusetts 02472 www.watertown-ma.gov Commuter Shuttle Coming Soon to Pleasant Street A shuttle linking Pleasant Street residents and employees to Watertown Square and Harvard Square is launching after Labor Day, on September 7, 2021. The shuttle will provide 4 morning round trips and 4 afternoon/evening round trips. This is part of the Town's Transportation Demand Management program, intended to reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. Town residents can ride for $1, with tickets available through a smart phone app. or purchased at Town Hall. For more information, contact Senior Transportation Planner Laura Wiener at lwiener(c�r�,watertown-ma.gov or call 617 972-6417. Watertown Free Public Library The library is back to full capacity and services with some precautions still in place in the Children's and Teen rooms. Hours of operation are Monday -Thursday 9 am to 9 pm, Friday 9 am to 7 pm, and Saturday 9 am to 5 pm. Sunday hours from 1 pm to 5 pm will resume on July 11. Hatch Makerspace will resume walk-in operations in July with evening and weekend hours. For more information visit www.watertownlib.oriz. Climate and Energy Plan Watertown recently launched a Climate and Energy Plan process to reduce our GHG emissions and enhance our community's resilience to those climate hazards we are already experiencing. Be sure to check out resilient.watertown-ma.gov to learn more and to find out how to get involved. Right now, you can head there and fill out our first community survey, open until July 51. Watertown Farmers' Market The 8th Season of Watertown Farmers' Market kicked off on June 16th and runs every Wednesday through October 20th, from 2:30 — 6:30pm in Saltonstall Park, next to Town Hall. The market features several local farm and specialty food vendors who offer a variety of fresh and delicious food items. The Market's Food Assistance Program offers a $15 SNAP Match for eligible customers and provides access to three Healthy Incentive Program (HIP) farm vendors. Visit our website for information and updates: www.watertowmarket.com or contact Stephanie Venizelos, Community Wellness Program Manager at: svenizelos(iDwatertown-ma. jzov Free Summer Concert Series The Town of Watertown is proud to bring another year of spectacular talent to Saltonstall Park. Every Wednesday starting June 23rd through September 81 6:30pm to 8pm. Watertown Cable Access will rebroadcast the concerts on the Public Channel Comcast 9 and RCN 15. Sponsored by The Town of Watertown, Watertown Cultural Council, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Eversource, The "Perfect Crime" Band, Watertown Savings Bank, Watertown Cable Access TV and Ben & Jerry's. For more information, contact: Town Manager's Office Phone: (617) 972-6465 or email townmgKi)watertown-ma.gov Artist lineup: Jun 23: BLACK SEA SALSA Jul 7: TONY SOUL PROJECT Jul 21: SCHOOL OF ROCK HOUSE BAND Aug 4: COMPAQ BIG BAND Aug 18: SOUTHBAND TRAIN Sept. 1: RADIO HONEY Jun 30: BAND FROM U.N.C.L.E. Jul 14: LIGHTNING ROSE Jul 28: BACK IN TIME Aug 11: FREDDY EPSTEIN PRESENTS SAX ON THE BEACH Aug 25: PERFECT CRIME Sept. 8: JOHN BABOIAN ENSEMBLE Ballroom in Boston will be providing free dance lessons June 23rd — Salsa, July 7th — Hustle, August 4th — Swing and August 18th - Country Line/Swing. Office of the Town Manager • 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 • 617-972-6465 0 watertown-ma.go Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center/Food Pantry The Watertown Senior Center is open but continues to offer many programs via Zoom including exercise classes and informative presentations, and staff members are available to provide information and referral for supportive services. Review our newsletter for me information. Applications are available for the FY 2022 Property Tax Work -Off Program, where retired adults aged 60 and over, or Veterans, volunteer in a Town department in exchange for a reduction on their property taxes. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements and have skills that match departments' needs. 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 SeniorCenternwatertown-ma.gov. Department of Public Works Attention dog owners/walkers! 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 rivers. All dog owners/walkers 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). Help Watertown grow —please keep off our planting strips. Check out our Planting Strip Maintenance brochure: https://www.watertowndpw.org/DocumentCenterNiew/667AVatertowns-Guide-to-the-Planting-Strip and Green Lawn Care brochure: httns://www.watertowndpw.orL/DocumentCenterNiew/1290/Green-Lawn-Care Help prevent flooding by keeping our catch basins clear of leaves and debris. Check out the DPW home page (hgps://www.watertowndpw.org_� for weekly construction updates and frequently asked questions. Residential Exemption Applications to be Mailed Historically, the Watertown Town 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 2020 have been mailed. Please fill out the application upon receipt and return to the Assessor's Office. 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, 2021 bill for Fiscal Year 2022 (July 1, 2021 — June 30, 2022). Please call the Assessors' Office with any questions (617) 972-6410. 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. Administration Building and Senior Center Summer Hours through Friday, September 3. 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). The Town of Watertown invites you to follow us on social media and visit us online: Facebook: watertowngov Twitter: watertowngov Instagram: watertowngov Website: www.watertown-ma.gov Office of the Town Manager • 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 • 617-972-6465 0 watertown-ma.go