Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/)
A pole struck by a vehicle lies on top of power lines on Main Street. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
A vehicle struck a utility pole on Main Street, snapping it in half and cutting off power for several hundred customers on Monday around noon.
Watertown City and State officials appeared before a joint committee at the State House on Jan. 27, 2026, to discuss the City’s Home Rule Petition. Pictured, from left, Steve Owens, George Proakis, John Lawn, Earl Smith, and Mark Sideris.
The City of Watertown’s effort to prevent a tax hike for residential property owners, which could be as high as 18%, cleared a major hurdle when it was approved the the House of Representatives on Beacon Hill.
Watertown residents will see an increase of 4.5% in both the water and sewer rates for the fiscal year that began on July 1, 2026, which is slightly higher than forecasted a year ago. However, the future increase could be significantly higher than projected due in part to an error made calculating future year revenues.
The Watertown Police Department is considering purchasing a drone like this one made by Paladin Drones (Photo from Paladin)
An automated drone is one of the new technologies being considered by the Watertown Police Department. On July 9, the City Council’s Public Safety Committee held a hearing to ask questions and hear from the public about the possible use of a drone.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Business Coalition:
Join the Watertown Business Coalition and Live Well Watertown for an engaging Walk & Talk through Watertown Square on Thursday, July 23 at 5 p.m. Enjoy a community walk while exploring local businesses, meeting new people, and making meaningful connections in the heart of Watertown.
The candidates running for the Massachusetts 5th Congressional District seat will appear on a virtual forum sponsored by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment. See details provided by the group, below.
The following announcement was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts:
EyePoint, Inc., formerly EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (EyePoint), has agreed to pay $4,678,981 to resolve allegations that it paid kickbacks to Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) to induce the ASCs to purchase its drug, DEXYCU. This scheme, the government alleges, violated the Anti-Kickback Statute and the False Claims Act.
A community meeting about a proposed multi-family development on Church Hill Street will be held on July 30 in City Hall.
Sidewalk Construction on Mt. Auburn Street in Coolidge Square. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Sidewalk replacement work continues along Mt. Auburn Street during the week of July 21-25. Crews will be working between Melendy to Dexter avenues, Elton and Dexter avenues, Adams and School streets, and School Street and Amherst Road. Businesses will remain open, but in some cases access will be through the rear entrances.
Four condos, a quartet of townhouses, two single families, and a two-family home were sold this week.
The deadline to apply for Community Preservation Act funds is Monday, July 27, 2026. See more details from the City of Watertown, below.
James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net.