Business

Charles River Chamber Panel Looked at How Watertown Became a Life Science Hub

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A panel of speakers discussed the life science industry in Watertown at an event hosted by the Charles River Regional Chamber. From left, City Manager George Proakis, Boylston Properties President Mark Deschenes, CEO of Labshares Phillip Borden, and C4 Chief People Officer Kelly Schick. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Eleven years ago, 25 life science companies had facilities in Watertown. Today, more than four times that many companies are located in the City, making it one of Massachusetts’ life science hubs. On March 10, the Charles River Regional Chamber’s life science panel, “Watertown’s Life Science Future,” looked at how the City became one of the hottest centers for biotechs, and what’s next.

Schools

WHS Medical Assistant Students Practiced What They Learned in Class in the Real World

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A Watertown High School student conducts medical tests during a community health clinic run by the school’s Medical Assisting Program. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

City employees had the opportunity to get free checkups from some aspiring medical professionals during a clinic run by the Watertown High School Medical Assisting Program. The students learned to take vitals, take a blood test, and other procedures as part of the program that was added a few years ago, said teacher Melissa Burke. “So these are our students who have committed to doing full three years on top of their regular high school curriculum, doing medical assisting training,” Burke said, adding that after they have completing the course the students can take the exam for national medical assisting certification. Workers for the Watertown Public Schools, as well as the Police and Fire, Public departments received invitations to get a free checkup.

Entertainment

Cartoon: Small Saves Has Something Besides Hockey on His Mind

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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. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Police/Fire

Police Log: 2 Arrests for Trying to Cash Fraudulent Checks, Man Busted for Exposing Himself

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. March 1: Officers were dispatched to the Municipal Parking lot off Spring Street and encountered a woman. They checked her information and discovered she was wanted on a fugitive from justice warrant out of New Hampshire for possession of a controlled substance. While police were doing an inventory of the contents of her vehicle they found some pills and illegal drugs. Officer Colton Bailey arrested Jill Clarke, 41, of Waltham, on the warrant as well as charges of possession of a Class C drug and possession of a Class E drug.

Around Town

Watertown Unveils Visitors Guide Ahead of Busy Summer of 2026

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The cover of the Watertown Visitors Guide, produced by the City of Watertown. Watertown’s history, activities, dining and more have been highlighted in the new Watertown Visitors Guide. The City of Watertown produced the four-page booklet in anticipation of a busy summer in Greater Boston. On Tuesday night, City Manager George Proakis provided the City Council with some details about the Visitors Guide, which was produced by the Watertown Economic Development. “Watertown has a Visitors Guide, which is a nice color glossy explanation of everything from our City events to dining options to knowing their way around Watertown,” Proakis said.

Government

Council Approves FY27 Capital Items With Funds for Street Repair, Park Projects and the New Middle School

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The City Council approved 36 items from the Capital Improvement Program for the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, including road repairs, some money for the Middle School project, park projects, and requests from the Fire and Police departments. The Council’s Committee on Budget and Fiscal Oversight met twice in February to review the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). On March 10, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the 36 recommendations, as well as asking the City Manager to keep the capital spending under 8% of the total Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget. The projects include $7.5 million in loans to fund road and sidewalk replacements. The list includes Cottage Street and other roadways in the summer of 2027, Forest and Springfield streets in the summers of 2026-28, and Riverside Street the summer of 2027.