Government

Council to Consider Ordinance Proposed to Make Large Buildings be Net Zero by 2050

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

Watertown will explore creating an ordinance requiring buildings to reduce their carbon emissions and will base it on similar ordinances adopted by other communities in Massachusetts. Work has already begun on drafting a Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance, or BERDO, with a proposed ordinance having been submitted by the Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee (WE3C). City Manager George Proakis told the City Council on Tuesday that creating a BERDO would “implement a key part of the City’s Climate Plan.” The Resilient Watertown Climate & Energy Plan was passed in 2022. “I have often said (the plan) has many ambitious but achievable goals to address our climate crisis and establish a process in our climate resiliency and climate adaptation, and we’ve worked very hard to do that in a number of different ways,” Proakis said. “What that plan did is also provide strategies to reduce carbon emissions for buildings and called out the necessity for building performance standard ordinance.”

Around Town

Little Local Conversations Speaks With Life Science Worker & Semi-Pro Hockey Player

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Watertown podcaster Matt Hanna has been busy recently. His recent guests include an employee of a non-profit life science firm in town, and a member of Watertown’s own semi-pro hockey team, the Gold Kings. Plus, he started Little Local Weekly, where guests on the podcast can provide updates. Alyssa Cecchitelli, Addgene

Meet Alyssa Cecchetelli! She’s the Associate Director of Plasmid Services at Addgene, a nonprofit life science organization here in Watertown.

Around Town

Podcast Interviewing City Manager, Director of Community Development & Planning, Submit Your Questions

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Former Town Council President Clyde Younger is the co-host of a podcast called “Eye On Watertown,” which is available on the Watertown Cable website. Upcoming guests for Eye on Watertown include City Manger George Proakis and Assistant City Manager for Community Development and Planning Steve Magoon. Younger’s co-hosts change. Watertown News Editor Charlie Breitrose will sit in on the conversation with Proakis. Viewers and listeners can send in questions and/or suggest guests to by sending a message to EyeonWatertown@Gmail.Com

New Podcast, “Eye on Watertown,” Seeks to Create a Place for Informal Public Engagement

Schools

Pair of Watertown Educators Running 2025 Boston Marathon For Causes Close to Them

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Watertown educators Cheryl Wermer, left, and Maureen Murphy — pictured with her four children — will run the 2025 Boston Marathon. Two Watertown Public School employees have set their sites on the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Copley Square this year, and each will raise money for causes close to their hearts. Maureen Murphy, a special education teacher at J.R. Lowell Elementary School, will be part of the Boston Children’s Hospital’s Miles for Miracles team. Murphy’s family has close connections to the Boston Children’s Hospital. “Two of my sons are patient partners this year.

Sports

Watertown Field Hockey Player Named Globe Athlete of the Year, Another Makes All-Scholastic Team

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The Watertown field hockey team player Rachel Egan was named Athlete of the Year by the Boston Globe. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

On top of completing an undefeated career as Watertown field hockey players, two Raiders were honored by making the Boston Globe’s All-Scholastic team, including one being named Athlete of the Year. Also, see the Watertown athletes who made the Middlesex League All-Stars for all fall sports. The Globe selected Senior Rachel Egan as the Div. 3 Athlete of the Year.

Business

See Who Will be Honored at the Charles River Chamber’s First Watertown Business Awards

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The Charles River Regional Chamber will honor local businesses, non-profits, and community members during the First Annual Watertown Night, Featuring the Watertown Business Awards. The event takes place Thursday, Jan. 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Donohue’s Bar & Grill, 87 Bigelow Ave., Watertown

The 2025 Award Honorees

Watertown Community Foundation

O’Some Cafe

Archy LaSalle, Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee, activist, educator, and photographer

Max Ritcey, owner, Ritcey East

Also, connect with local business owners, professionals, civic leaders, and community members at our first-annual Watertown Night at Donohue’s Bar & Grill (note new location). The Enjoy delicious food, network with fellow attendees, and celebrate our Watertown Business Awards honorees for their outstanding contributions to the community. Tickets: $20, Open to members & non-members.