Sustainable Watertown

Sustainable Watertown Sustainable Watertown is a grassroots organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for all who live and work in Watertown, Massachusetts.

We are a civic organization committed to improving the quality of life for people who live, work, and learn in Watertown. Our goal is to mobilize our citizens to address our community's challenges, build on our strengths, and to create a healthier, more just and prosperous community. We are working to form coalitions in support of citizen-initiated projects. If your neighborhood or civic group needs town-wide support for an initiative, let us know.

09/19/2012

Thursday, October 4: WATERTOWN LOCAL FIRST FOUNDERS CELEBRATION. Support your organization of independent, locally owned businesses. Meet the business people who create the vibrant community we love. Learn about Sustainable Watertown's Shop Local and Shift Your Shopping efforts. Features Michael Shuman, local business advocate and fabulous speaker. Look for the Watertown Local First decal on the door of your neighborhood shops. Details TBA.

http://watertownlocalfirst.org

Watertown Local First is a network of locally owned and independent businesses working to build a strong local economy and a vibrant community.

09/19/2012

Saturday, Sept. 22, 10-4. FAIRE ON THE SQUARE. Saltonstall Park, Main Street next to Town Hall. Visit the booths of many local organizations, enjoy activities geared to children, meet consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren (11-11:45), candidate for Senate, and enjoy the beautiful autumn weather.

http://www.faireonthesquare.org/

The Faire on the Square-Watertown, MA, a local fair

07/13/2012

Town-wide Celebration Picnic on July 23rd

Because of your hard work and community spirit, Walmart will not build in Watertown! Join us for a TOWN-WIDE CELEBRATION PICNIC on Monday, July 23, Saltonstall Field (behind Town Hall), 6:00 - 8:00pm. Take your family and meet your friends and neighbors. Set out a blanket and put out your picnic dinner (no grills allowed). Russo’s will provide some snacks. Amy’s Cupcake food truck will sell cupcakes and ice cream. Perhaps musicians will entertain. Mostly we'll celebrate our community and a sustainable future. It's time to enjoy a relaxed get-together!

06/19/2012

Congratulations to everyone who helped make it clear that Walmart was not welcome in Watertown: those who collected signatures on petitions; those who researched and wrote letters to the editors and sent comments to the press; those who helped spread the No Walmart vibe by running for office and by designing and fundraising to make the billboard a reality; those who contributed to the billboard; local, independent businesses that put No Walmart signs in their windows; citizens who displayed the signs on their lawns and fences; those who showed up for standouts; and the religious and civic leaders who supported the No Walmart campaign. Community-wide commitment and dedication made it clear that Walmart will not be coming to Watertown!

Now.... let's celebrate! A “party” is in the planning phase, so watch our Update emails for the official announcement. As soon as we have a date we'll let you know so you can put it in your calendar. You won't want to miss what will be a very special community event.

If you are willing to part with your No Walmart signs and want to see them reused, please allow us to collect and repurpose them. You can write to [email protected] to have your sign picked up from your lawn (include your address please), or you can hang onto your sign and bring it to the party for collection. Just please don't throw them in the recycling bin without first considering that we can reuse them.

Sustainable Watertown will be embarking on other neighborhood and town-wide initiatives, such as planning and development and creating an off-leash dog park. Meantime, summer is officially upon us. How wonderful that we can look forward to a Walmart-free Watertown, and a summertime party to celebrate that fact!

06/15/2012

Walmart Abandons Plans for Watertown

Walmart notified Town Council President Mark Sideris today that it will not be opening a store in Watertown, Massachusetts. Sideris informed Sustainable Watertown that the company has abandoned its controversial plans to build in both Watertown and Somerville.

Sustainable Watertown, a year-old civic organization, has fought the arrival of the retail giant since residents discovered that a lease had been signed on an Arsenal Street property. Nearly 300 citizens attended the first public discussion last October. Following an intense town election in November, town officials demonstrated increasing opposition to a potential Walmart store. Sustainable Watertown effectively channeled the spirit of an overwhelming number of residents dedicated to saving the unique character and local, independent businesses of Watertown. An organization of seven hundred members attended protests, signed petitions, published letters to local newspapers, and displayed seven hundred “No Walmart: No More Big Boxes” lawn signs across town.

Sideris spoke out unequivocally against Walmart at a May community forum hosted by Sustainable Watertown. Today, Sideris received a call from Walmart’s Arkansas headquarters informing him that Walmart would not be submitting a formal proposal to build here. Though Walmart has yet to make its announcement public, Sideris called the news “solid and real.” Sideris had been warned to expect news this month by Ed Nardi, of Cresset Development Company, which owns the Watertown property that Walmart had conditionally leased over a year ago.

We, the members of Sustainable Watertown, applaud the news of our campaign’s success and pledge to continue to work with town residents and members, supporting neighborhood groups, taking an early role in planning and development projects, and providing venues for discussions of sustainability. We will continue to advocate on behalf of the town for a positive vision of a healthy, just and prosperous community.

02/08/2012

Save the date: Stand out against Walmart, Saturday March 3, 10-11 AM Location TBA

01/29/2012

At our suggestion, the movie "Walmart: the High Cost of Low Price", is airing on Comcast Channel 8, RCN Channel 15 on Wednesdays at 1:30pm and Thursdays at 7pm (indefinitely, as long as Walmart is an issue in our city).

Address

Watertown, MA
02472

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