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.

Around Town

Volunteers at the Senior Center Fill 100s of Plastic Eggs for the Brigham House Easter Egg Hunt

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Volunteers filled plastic eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt at Brigham House. Pictured, from left, Mary Ann Di Luzio, Maria Monahan, Theresa Cameron, Jo Balboni, and Paula Mahoney. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Tables full of volunteers at the Senior Center filled pink and yellow plastic eggs with candy in preparation for an intergenerational event at one of Watertown’s assisted living homes. On Monday, about 30 volunteers filled 250 eggs, and with another round on Tuesday, said Arlene Smith, who organized the event. “I enjoy filling the eggs,” said Jo Balboni, a volunteer who has two granddaughters.

Around Town

Latest Local Podcast Episodes Feature Sen. Brownsberger, Watertown Arts & Culture Chat

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

One of Watertown’s legislators on Beacon Hill, State Sen. Will Brownsberger, appeared on the Little Local Conversations podcast to talk about his career before politics as well as som of his priorities in the State House. Podcast host Matt Hanna also released an episode this week about what’s going on in the Watertown arts and culture scene. In Little Local Conversations, Hanna discovers and connects 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 about the episodes:

State Sen. Will Brownsberger

Meet Will Brownsberger!

Government

City Manager Speaks About the City Budget, Staffing, Streets & Watertown Square in Local Podcast

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City Manager George Proakis spoke about development in Watertown, adding staff to the City government, the state of Watertown’s streets, and more on the Eye on Watertown podcast. He was joined by Assistant City Manager for Community Development and Planning Steve Magoon. Co-hosts Clyde Younger and Charlie Breitrose spoke with Proakis and Magoon on March 31 at the Watertown Cable podcast studio. Proakis shared some details about the future of the Sterritt Lumber site, recently purchased by the City. He also talked about his leadership style.

Around Town

Watertown Music Store Hosting Record Store Day Event

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Watertown music store Wanna Hear It Records will host a Record Store Day event with releases from nearly 90 bands and artists from Taylor Swift, Charli XCX and Post Malone to The Killers, Bruce Springsteen and the Talking Heads. The store will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 12. Wanna Hear It is located at 117A Galen St., in Watertown. Find out more at wannahearitstore.com

Sports

Gold Kings Hockey Teams Lifts Trophy, Cliched First Title in Watertown With Comeback Win

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The Boston Gold Kings celebrate scoring in Game 2 of the PPSHL Finals. The Gold Kings won the game 5-4 against Salem. (Photo by John Merritt)

Two goals in the third period capped a dream playoff run by the Boston Gold Kings, who won Game 2 of the finals 5-4 over the Salem Sasquatch and clinched the team’s first title in its second year of existence. The Gold Kings lifted the Power Play Senior Hockey League (PPSHL) trophy on home ice at the John A. Ryan Arena on March 29. The semi pro team now seeks to keep improving and hopes to see the league add more competition, said Cameron Labrecque, the Gold Kings’ General Manager & Director of Hockey Operations.

Real Estate

Dozens of Watertown Open Houses, Several New Listings

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The Watertown real estate market is very active over the first weekend of April. 64 Galen St. APT 35, $485,000, 2 bedroom 1 bathroom 950 sq. ft. Condo, Open houses: Saturday, April 5 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Sunday, April 6 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

293 Lexington St., $995,000, 4 bedroom 3 bathroom 2,316 sq.