Around Town

Resilient Watertown Eco Fest Will Have Info on Making Life Greener, Fun for the Whole Family

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Residents can learn more about ways to make their homes more sustainable and also enjoy activities for all ages at the City of Watertown’s first Resilient Watertown Eco Fest. Eco Fest will take place on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Commander’s Mansion, 440 Talcott Ave., Watertown, said Laurel Schwab, Watertown’s Sustainability Manager. “We wanted this to be a really family-friendly event, so things for people of all ages to learn about the City’s sustainability programs and learn about things that they can do in their own lives, all while also having fun,” Schwab said. The event is part of the City’s efforts to meet the goals of the Resilient Watertown Climate and Energy Plan. The plan covers a range of areas including energy, waste, transportation, natural resources such as plants and trees, social resilience, and emergency preparedness, Schwab said.

Around Town

Local Podcast Celebrates Anniversary with Panel on Watertown News & Info

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Watertown resident host Matt Hanna celebrated the first year anniversary of his podcast, Little Local Conversations, with a special event focused on the news and information ecosystem in Watertown. The podcast focuses on the people, places, stories, and ideas of Watertown. Podcast guests include community leaders, business owners, non-profit organizers, artists and creatives, and other folks doing interesting and important work in the city. Hanna provided the following information:

First Anniversary Event

Listen to an in-depth panel discussion on the local Watertown news and information ecosystem! This was part of the one year anniversary celebration for Little Local Conversations that happened over at the Mosesian Center for the Arts on March 18th, 2025.

Entertainment

Actors’ Shakespeare Project Brings Vibrant “Midsummer Night’s Dream” to Watertown

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The cast of Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. Photo by Nile Scott Studios. Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” takes full advantage of the intimate confines of the Mosesian Center of the Arts to provide audience members with a 360 degree experience of music, lights, confetti, and mist to accompany the Bard’s ethereal play. “Midsummer” is the final play in Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s 2024-25 season, and the first in its new home. The theater company recently moved to the MCA in Watertown to be the company in residence.

Around Town

Registration Open for the 2025 Run of the Charles Paddle Race

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The Run of the Charles will take place on April 27, 2025, when canoes, paddleboards and kayaks will be paddled down the Charles River, through Watertown and ending in Brighton. Registration is open. See details provided by the Charles River Watershed Association. Run of the Charles

Boston’s Premier Paddling Race

Sunday, April 27, DCR Artesani / Herter Park

Don’t Wait to Register! All skill levels, from beginner to expert, are welcome.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Arrested for Having Child Pornography, Credit Card Scam Foiled, Drink Thrown at Food Delivery Driver

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. April 1: Police received a report of a disturbance between a food delivery man and a customer. A Warren Street resident ordered food on GrubHub and when the driver arrived he asked the resident for a confirmation code. The resident said he requested a contactless delivery, and did not have a code. The driver said the resident got upset and threw a fountain drink in his face.

Real Estate

30 Open Houses Around Watertown This Week

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Homebuyers have plenty of choices in Watertown this weekend. 10 Williams St. APT 45, $479,000, 2 bedroom 1 bathroom 950 sq. ft. Condo, Open houses: Saturday, April 12 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Sunday, April 13 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

60 Everett Ave., $1,089,900, 4 bedroom 3 bathroom 1,823 sq.

Government

Watertown Will Add Human Services Department in FY26 Budget; City Faces Uncertain Financial Times

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Watertown City Hall

Watertown’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget includes the addition of the Human Services Department, and City Manager George Proakis said that the budget is “being produced at atime of significant uncertainty.” The proposed FY26 budget of $223.66 million is $7.08 million or 3.27 percent above the revised FY25 budget, Proakis said during Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The budget maintains the full funding of City pensions, stays on track for funding OPEB (other post employment benefits), supports stabilization funds for affordable housing, open space, and Watertown Square, and it maintains the City’s strategic reserves, Proakis said. The education budget increased by 3.5 percent, and the public safety budget (Police and Fire departments) are being funded at record levels. The major addition to the City government is the creation of Human Services Department as part of implementation of the Health and Human Services Plan.