Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/)
Members of the Watertown Police Department discussed different technology used by the WPD, including a proposal to use the Flock Safety cameras. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
A room full of residents expressed their concerns about the Watertown Police Department’s proposed use of Flock Safety cameras in town, with the biggest issues about how the images collected by the license plate capturing system would be used outside Watertown and who would have access. As the debate over whether cameras should be used in the City, legislation at the state level could help reduce concerns.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department.
Massachusetts Poet Laureate Regie Gibson recited several of his poems at the 2026 Unity Breakfast. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Massachusetts’ Poet Laureate inspired the crowd at the 26th annual Unity Breakfast. During the event on Monday, awards were presented to a group monitoring immigration enforcement and supporting immigrants rights in Watertown, and a man who has been a big part of keeping the Unity Breakfast going through the Pandemic.
The Watertown Public Schools may ask the City to tap the Special Education Stabilization Fund created several years ago for a rainy day. The 2026-27 School Budget may be stormy, as the district faces a shortfall of $2.5 million as of Monday’s School Committee meeting. Other ways to make up shortfalls may include reinstating athletics and extracurricular fees.
Tuesday’s game versus Arlington was likely one Watertown Coach Mike Tempesta had circled on his schedule, especially after Watertown made it to this game 6-2 in league play and Arlington 7-1. It would surely be a chance to measure one’s success to date, and figure out what kind of team he had when facing the strength of the league.
The cast of the Sudbury Savoyards The Gondoliers includes Watertown’s Karen Powers, who is in the chorus of the Gilbert and Sullivan play. See more details in the announcement from the Sudbury Savoyards, below.
The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment:
The Watertown Citizens for Peace and Common Security Committee is holding a webinar on the Nuclear Disarmament Resolution in order to better inform the public about this issue which is on the City Council calendar for February 10, 2026.
As we reflect on the holiday season, we are reminded that while this time of year is often filled with joy and celebration, many families in our community continue to face growing financial pressures that make the holidays especially difficult.
Perkins School for the Blind will host the 43rd annual Early Connection Conference. Registration is now open. See details provided by Perkins, below.
The Watertown Human Rights Commission will team with Human Rights Commissions in the area to host an online workshop on Building Connections: Effective Tools for Community Conversations in March. See details about the workshop and how to register in the announcement from the HRC below.
The following announcement was provided by Artemis Yoga:
Artemis Yoga is inviting the local community to an Open House on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m. at its Watertown studio. The afternoon will feature a series of free in-studio yoga classes, along with raffles, giveaways, local treats, and special in-studio offers.
It was matinee-Saturday at the John A. Ryan Arena as Watertown/Wayland and Melrose faced off with a 12:30 p.m. puck drop. Watertown/Wayland, in the midst of 7 of 8 at home, was obviously eager (desperate?!) to get off to a good start and put together a 45 minute game on the way to breaking into the win column in league play. Watertown/Wayland came into the game 0-7 in Middlesex League play and Melrose 1-5. But, as they did last Saturday versus Stoneham, Watertown/Wayland gave up two early goals to Melrose, and just couldn’t figure out a way to light up the lamp on the way to being shut 3-0.