Around Town

Mutual Aid Group Delivers Air Conditioners in Watertown During Heat Wave

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Eddy Cole installs an air conditioner provided free by the Watertown Neighbors group. (Courtesy of Eddy Cole)

As the temperatures rose to dangerous levels in the first week of July, a group in Watertown leapt into action delivering air conditioners to those who need them, and which had been donated by other residents. The air conditioner redistribution is a project run by Watertown Neighbors, a mutual aid effort of the Watertown Rapid Response Network. Last year, members of the RRN — that formed to assist immigrants in town — looked for areas where the group could make a difference and fill a need in the community, said Watertown resident Allison Eck. “We thought that basically AC units was a place where we could provide real value and fill a real need, which is the goal of mutual aid,” Eck said.

Entertainment

Watertown Woman’s Film About the Pressures of Parenthood Showing at Several Film Festivals

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An image from “Late Fall.” The film was made by Watertown’s Abigail Jean Lucas, left, who acted in the film along with her son, Leander. A short film shot during the Pandemic, whose cast includes a Watertown filmmaker and her son, made its world premier in Ireland in May and will be part of several film festivals around the United States. Bringing “Late Fall” to the screen has been a long, meandering journey for Abigail Jean Lucas. The 18-minute film focuses on a young couple with a toddler facing the challenges of parenthood while making ends meet.

Around Town

A Celebration 250 Years in the Making: Watertown’s Treaty Day 2026

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The 2010 Reenactment of Signing of Treaty of Watertown at the Edmund Fowle House. (Courtesy of Historical Society. of Watertown)

In the days after the former 13 colonies declared their independence from Britain 250 years ago, Watertown had a moment. The town outside Boston became the center of government in Massachusetts, and two historic firsts took place right near Watertown Square. However, these occasions got lost in the ether somewhere between George Washington and George H.W. Bush.

Elections

See the Replay of the State Senate Forum Hosted by the Watertown Democrats

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The Watertown and Belmont Democratic Town Committees hosted a forum for the two candidates for the Suffolk and Middlesex State Senate seat: Will Brownsberger and Daniel Lander. A video of the forum is available. Watertown Cable Access TV recorded the forum, and the replay is available online at http://vodwcatv.org/internetchannel/show/5649?site=1

The two candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination for State Senate. Votes will be cast in the State Primary on Sept. 1, 2026.

Entertainment

Local Artists & Musicians Coming to Pair of Art Pop Ups in Watertown Square in July

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The Watertown Arts Market is still about a month away, but on two weekends in July there will be pop-up arts markets in Watertown Square featuring local artists and musicians. The Watertown Business Coalition, the City of Watertown and the Watertown Cultural Council teamed up to put on the Art Pop Ups in the heart of Watertown Square. On Saturday, July 11 and 25 from 3-7 p.m. several artists will have tables, and musicians will play on Merchants Row, the space next to CVS (27 Main St.)

Local visual artists will have original artwork for sale, and live acoustic musicians will entertain. The Art Pop Ups are free and open to all. “This pop-up experience is the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon!”

Government

Police Drone to be Discussed by City Council’s Public Safety Committee

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The prospect of the Watertown Police Department using a drone will be discussed at the City Council’s Committee on Public Safety on July 9. The drone, which costs $49,396, would be dispatched to an area where a crime or incident like an auto accident is reported. It would be able to get anywhere in town in two minutes, which is faster than the typical response time for a police officer in a cruiser, Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan told the City Council in March. The drone can fly automatically to a location, and can also be overridden and controlled manually. The drone would be dispatched from the Watertown 911 Center, and would not go out to every reported incident, Hanrahan said.