Watertown News | Your Source for Local News

Watertown’s Wayside Multi-Service Center Had a Scare with Threatened Cut of Federal Grant

By Charlie Breitrose | February 6, 2026

The Wayside Multi-Service Center is located on North Beacon Street in Watertown. (Courtesy of Wayside)

The Wayside Multi-Service Center momentarily saw one-third of its budget disappear, with the removal of a federal grant. While the grant was restored within days, Sophia Suarez-Friedman, Program Director for Wayside Multi-Service Center, said it was both a stark reminder and a heartening response.

Council Roundup: Councilor Elected Head of Statewide Board, DPW Equipment Funded, Contracts Approved

Watertown District B Councilor Lisa Feltner was elected president of the Mass. Municipal Councillors’ Association.(Photo by Krista Photography | Krista Guenin)

The City Council had a full agenda on Jan. 27, with votes to approve equipment purchases by the Department of Public Works, approval of contracts for multiple City unions, and a Watertown City Councilor was elected head of a statewide board. Also, the date for the Skip the Stuff Ordinance to be considered was announced.

Watertown’s Shana Gozansky Directing “Little Women” at the Mosesian Center for the Arts

Director Shana Gozansky (center, left) addresses (from left) Aislinn Brophy, Chloe McFarlane, Olivia Fenton, and Kaila Pelton-Flavin in rehearsal for Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s “Little Women.” (Photo courtesy of Actors’ Shakespeare Project)

A modern adaptation of “Little Women” will hit the stage at the Mosesian Center for the Arts from Feb. 5 to March 1. The Actors’ Shakespeare Project production is being directed by Watertown’s Shana Gozansky.

Watertown City Officials Join State Reps. on Beacon Hill to Ask for Residential Tax Relief

Watertown City and State officials appeared before a joint committee at the State House on Jan. 27, 2026. Pictured, from left, Steve Owens, George Proakis, John Lawn, Earl Smith, and Mark Sideris.

City officials from Watertown joined state representatives on Beacon Hill to request an extension to a bill that allowed Watertown to shift more of the property tax burden from residential properties to commercial properties. The shift would allow a 50/50 split, instead of the current requirements of state law to have 61 percent of the tax levy coming from residential properties.

More Headlines

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Around Town

Watertown Non-Profits Create $50K Fund for Residents Needing Immediate Emergency Assistance

By Guest Writer | 4 hours ago

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

To help Watertown residents who need urgent help with rent, utilities or other emergency needs, the Watertown Community Foundation, the Marshall Home Fund, and the Helen Robinson Wright Fund at the First Parish of Watertown, came together in December to create a one-time Watertown Emergency Assistance Fund of $50,000.

Business

Watertown Life Science Company to be Acquired by Eli Lilly

By Charlie Breitrose | 4 hours ago

Orna Therapeutics Logo

Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly will be acquiring a company in the East End of Watertown Arsenal, the two companies announced on Feb. 9. Orna Therapeutics is based at 500 Forge, a building near Home Depot that used to house Miller’s Ale House and offices into lab space.

Around Town

Marshall Home Fund Holding Grant Info Session for Organizations Working with Older Adults

By Guest Writer | 5 hours ago

Marshall Home Fund will hold a Grant Information Session on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 1 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library. See more information provided by Marshall Home Fund, below.

Sports

JIM’S VIEW: Friday Night Basketball Doubleheader Sweep of Wakefield is Very Rewarding

By Jim Vershbow, Contributor | February 8, 2026

Girls Basketball, with but one senior starting along with two freshman, one sophomore and a junior, had the chance to clinch the Middlesex League’s Freedom Division crown Friday night with a win. They entered the game with a three-game lead with three league games remaining on the regular season schedule. The Boys faced a squad with but one win ALL season, and it came at the expense of the Raiders back in early January on a night when one of the Raiders key players got sick during the game, which left the team shorthanded. Revenge was on the mind of Boys Basketball on this night. So, onto the games…

Around Town

LETTER: Willow Park Needs Community Support to Win State Funding

By Guest Writer | February 8, 2026

Can you imagine sleeping with your children in your car tonight? Or bedding down beneath an overpass, hoping that layers of tarp and wool blankets can stave off the cold and snow?

Real Estate

A Pair of Watertown Properties Were Sold This Week

By Charlie Breitrose | February 8, 2026

A two-family house and a condo were sold this week.

Around Town

Road Construction Continues This Week on Mt. Auburn Street

By Guest Writer | February 7, 2026

Crews will be out on Mt. Auburn Street installing drainage and making test pits along the thoroughfare this week. See exactly where in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below.

Around Town

Learn Tips for Living Longer, Join the Winter Biking Basics Webinar

By Charlie Breitrose | February 7, 2026

Live Well Watertown has an in-person event about the Blue Zones, places in the world where people live longest, as well as an online info session about bicycling in the winter. See more information provided by the City of Watertown, below.