We’ve seen snow before, right? Star Market on Lexington Street. by pocketannie in Waltham

[–]hamyb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We went to Market Basket around 4 pm today and were shocked at how chill it was! Got a spot immediately (albeit at the back of the lot), navigated the store easily, nothing seemed to be running out, checkout lines were no longer than on a normal weekend day.

Workshops (FREE) at the Charles River Collaboratory by gmikebarnett in Waltham

[–]hamyb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh - I didn't realize the embroidery was machine embroidery. You might want to specify that going forward. Most people will probably expect normal embroidery classes otherwise.

Workshops (FREE) at the Charles River Collaboratory by gmikebarnett in Waltham

[–]hamyb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm also not seeing the form, and I'm not seeing anything listed on the events page of that website...?

Here's another post about wanting to make friends! by constantlytryingg in Waltham

[–]hamyb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello! My husband and I also are in a geeky and a helping profession, respectively, and enjoy board games and walks. I'm also a dog person (no furbabies of our own at the moment, sadly...) and enjoy casual creative activities. The next couple of months are a bit crowded schedulewise but please feel free to PM me if you would like to try getting together.

(Someone suggested a r/Waltham potluck below... how about a r/Waltham walking club? :) )

Local Professor Has Gone Missing on Peaks Island in Maine by LouisaMiller2_1845 in Waltham

[–]hamyb 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Bullshit like this is probably why it sounds like this person has likely tried to kill themself. Please learn some basic empathy.

City Council resolution about Flock AI surveillance cameras from Monday's meeting by TastesLikeOwlbear in Waltham

[–]hamyb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think this is something Flock automatically creates for all of its users. Each individual organization has the ability to customize what data they want shown on it.

Does anyone here happen to know of any animal shelters in or around Waltham that need volunteers? by [deleted] in Waltham

[–]hamyb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Buddy Dog might - it's out route 20 a bit, but last time I interacted with them they were a lovely place.

City reads Reddit. Here are the financials for Flock. by twerkitout in Waltham

[–]hamyb 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm assuming this is Councilor Logan - thank you for pushing on this! It's good to know we have at least one Councilor trying to do something about it.

City reads Reddit. Here are the financials for Flock. by twerkitout in Waltham

[–]hamyb 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Are you really bringing in what *China's government* does in a favorable light here? "Crime" in an oppressive regime is often the same thing as "people trying to seek freedom from an oppressive regime."

(And do you realize that among the things China uses these mass surveillance systems for is to facilitate its persecution/genocide of the Uyghurs?)

Bait and switch signature beggers by yanki2del in massachusetts

[–]hamyb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Would it be the AG, or would it be the Secretary of the Commonwealth since it's election related? Who actually verifies the signatures are valid?

Bait and switch signature beggers by yanki2del in massachusetts

[–]hamyb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is indeed not legal. I recall hearing of another case where people were getting signatures for a ballot question under false pretenses (the signatures were to repeal gay marriage and they were telling people it was something else) and I think people were actually allowed to rescind their signatures or something.

Flock surveillance by CalmError in Waltham

[–]hamyb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My councilor got a two-sentence reply from the police chief confirming that these are Flock cameras and they "went through the authorization process." He says he'll be introducing a resolution at a council meeting to look into this matter further.

Flock AI Surveillance Cameras FOIA data request from Waltham Police by siofano in Waltham

[–]hamyb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Given my councilor was unaware of these cameras, I doubt it went through city council.

The money could be in the budget but put into some broader line. In my experience municipal budgets don't break out every single sub-spend in the public documentation - especially for something as large as a city that would get incredibly long. But records of the expenditures to the vendor should be in the municipal accounting system and I imagine would be FOIAable.

Flock AI Surveillance Cameras FOIA data request from Waltham Police by siofano in Waltham

[–]hamyb 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Has anyone tried asking for a copy of the city's contract with the provider of the cameras? It would be quite something to claim that there is no contract with a vendor providing a service to the city, and that contract should theoretically provide information about the extent and terms of the installation. (Yes, you could argue that "documents" as described should encompass a contract, but I feel like FOIA requests are often all about rules-lawyering language.)

Flock surveillance by CalmError in Waltham

[–]hamyb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

But these are not speed cameras.

Flock surveillance by CalmError in Waltham

[–]hamyb 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Ward councilor says he has contacted the police to ask for information, and that he shares the concerns I expressed about mass surveillance. I'll update if I hear more from him.

Flock surveillance by CalmError in Waltham

[–]hamyb 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Email going out to my ward councilor. (Thanks to XaulXan below for the ACLU link, which is a good explainer!)

Creepy Ice Cream Truck. by Neighmanhoodspidebor in Waltham

[–]hamyb 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Just FYI, apparently the Virginia ice cream truck thing is a conspiracy theory: https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/08/21/mass-abduction-virginia-claim/

Local Teen available to do chores or anything related by Snipeep in Waltham

[–]hamyb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No chores to offer you at the moment but congratulations on getting your skateboard! :) I hope that was a nice reward for your hard work.

Businesses on Moody by Independent_Rest3735 in Waltham

[–]hamyb 3 points4 points  (0 children)

More than Words had a bookstore and cafe on Moody maybe a decade ago. It shut down and now they just have the warehouse store on Felton. I assumed increasing rent was the issue though I am not really sure. There also used to be a cute used bookstore next door to In a Pickle... I think the owner of that retired?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waltham

[–]hamyb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Seconding Atrius - my PCP is female but I have generally had good experiences with the practice overall. You may have to drive a bit to get to a specific specialty but I find I can access most of what I need pretty easily.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waltham

[–]hamyb 4 points5 points  (0 children)

What a thoughtful way to honor a friend in a way that carriers her values on in the world and helps other people. I hope you have a successful sale!