Entertainment
Grab a Scoop of Ice Cream and Support the Watertown Arts Market
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Support the Watertown Arts Market (WAM) and get a tasty treat during an upcoming ice cream fundraiser. See more details provided by WAM, below.
Young Watertown Cancer Survivor Takes Part in World Cup Pre-Game Ceremony
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Watertown’s Graham Phillips and his father Jonathan in the stands for the June 13 World Cup game after Graham was a flag bearer in the pre-game ceremony. (Contributed Photo)
The eyes of soccer fans around the globe caught a glimpse of a 13-year-old boy from Watertown as he took part in the pre-game ceremony on June 13 before the Scotland-Haiti game in Foxborough.
Inside the City’s 311 Service Center, Where Staff Fields the Public’s Questions, Requests & More
311 Service Center staff — Constituant Service Director Laura Murray (right) and Constituent Services Representative Stephanie Owens — outside their office City Hall. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Inside a small office in the back corner of City Hall sits the heart of Watertown’s 311 Service Center. The two-woman operation fields calls, texts, emails, and other messages about potholes, people trying to reach a City employee, and occasionally to report something strange they have just witnessed.
Coolidge Square Businesses Navigating Sidewalk Work During Mt. Auburn Street Project
Caution tape blocks off an area of sidewalk under construction in Coolidge Square in early June 2026. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Last week, looking out the window of her business, Artemis Yoga owner Liz Padula saw orange cones, yellow caution tape, gravel, and signs saying “no parking” and “sidewalk closed.”
New Middle School Moves a Step Closer to Reality; Council Approves Funds for Parks Projects
A vision of what a new Watertown Middle School could look like created by Ai3 Architects and presented to the School Committee in October 2025.
The possibility of building a new Middle School in Watertown moved a step closer to becoming a reality at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The Council also approved funding for projects at City parks, the library, Police Station, and for Watertown’s Treaty Day celebration.
More Headlines
City Council to Consider Changes to Noise Ordinance, Including New Allowed Hours for Lawn Work
Effort to Start Food Co-op Half Way There, Board Starting to Seek Sites
(UPDATED) WORLD CUP: Local Watch Parties & Festivities But Less Economic Impact Than Predicted
Elections
State Senate Candidate Endorsed by Working Families Party
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Daniel Lander.
The following announcement was provided by The Lander Committee:
Daniel Lander announced today that his campaign was endorsed by the Working Families Party, demonstrating his commitment to building a status quo that fights for working people in Massachusetts. The endorsement highlights Daniel’s vision for a Massachusetts where everyone can build a good life.
Around Town
Watertown Group Protests Bank for Link to ICE Detention Centers
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Some of the protesters at Watertown’s De-ICE Citizens Bank Campaign on June 13. (Contributed Photo)
The following article was submitted by Indivisible Progressive Watertown:
On Saturday, June 13, Indivisible Progressive Watertown hosted its third stand out this year in front of the East Watertown Citizens Bank branch at 630 Mt. Auburn St. Twenty-five people gathered to protest Citizens Bank’s connections to ICE prisons.
Government
Lawmakers Discuss Changes to Health Care System, Including State Rep. John Lawn
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State Representative John Lawn spoke on a panel about primary care reform at the 2026 Health Equity Trends Summit at UMass Boston on June 2. (Photo credit: Piper Brown Photography)
Watertown State Rep. John Lawn joined a panel of lawmakers speaking about trends in health care in a time when federal policies are changing the system. See more information in the announcement from Health Care Compact, below.
Charity
Watertown Community Foundation Challenge to Raise $25,000; Gifts Doubled Until June 26
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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:
The Watertown Community Foundation has launched a matching gift campaign to raise $25,000 in community donations and unlock up to $25,000 in matching funds. Through June 26, 2026, all gifts to support the work of the Watertown Community Foundation will be matched dollar for dollar — thanks to WCF’s Board of Directors.
Letters
LETTER: In Support of a Compromise Rent Control Bill
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By Tony PalombaCity Councilor At-Large
As an At-Large City Councilor in Watertown Massachusetts I am acutely aware of the housing storage that Massachusetts is facing – both for those who wish to purchase a home and who would like to rent. We also know that the cost of homeownership and renting is continuing to climb. The burden of these two factors makes it difficult to provide low-income and moderate-income residents with affordable housing.
Letters
LETTER: Hope is Not a Strategy — Pleasant Street and Beyond
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(Updated June 16, 2026 at 2:24 p.m.)
By Linda ScottWatertown Resident
I want to mention three meetings, one that I attended on June 5th that City Council President Mark Sideris conducted. These meetings are a relatively new concept as a result of our last Charter review. Each councilor is required to have one community meeting a year and invite the public. It’s a good idea.
Around Town
LETTER: Thank You to the Community for a Fabulous Watertown Helps Out
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Dear Editor,
Wow! Watertown, you knocked Watertown Helps Out (WHO) out of the park! The Watertown Community Foundation has organized WHO for 12 years and this was the best one yet. Watertown residents, community partners, corporate sponsors, students, and city leaders came together in an extraordinary month of community service.