Around Town

Watertown Police Offering Free Kits for Drivers With Autism or Who are Neurodivergent

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The Watertown Police recently added a new resource for neurodivergent people and their families that could help prevent misunderstandings and even tragedies. The WPD has joined the Blue Envelope program. The program was started a few years ago by the Massachusetts State Police, and the kits are now available at the Watertown Police Station, said Watertown Police Officer Devon Shatkin. “It’s essentially fostering safer relationships between individuals with autism who are drivers on the road and police officers,” Shatkin said. ” So, we’ve seen a much increased frequency of those type of interactions, and they can be difficult, dangerous, stressful.

Entertainment

WEEKEND FUN: Halloween Fun, Two Plays Hit the Stage, Artists Open Studios

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Halloween celebrations are in full swing this weekend. The Commander’s Mansion will host the second annual Wicked Watertown on Saturday, and enjoy some fall fun at Gore Place on Sunday. It’s a weekend of theater at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, with two classic plays hitting the stage — one put on by the Watertown Children’s Theatre and the other by the Actors’ Shakespeare Project. Take an inside look at artists studios on Saturday and Sunday during the Turtle Studios Open Studios. While the event is just over the river in Newton, several Watertown artists create their works at the studios.

Transportation

Watertown Shuttle to Open New Route to Public, Watertown TMA Looking for Transportation Improvements

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A WATConnector shuttle bus. These shuttles run down Pleasant Street, and similar ones serve Arsenal Street.(Courtesy of Watertown TMA)

For several years, the City of Watertown has been looking for ways to supplement the MBTA’s bus service in town and provide more options for people to get around town and commute. The most visible ones are the two shuttle routes that connect to Harvard Square. One runs along Pleasant Street and is open to the public, and another along Arsenal Street, which is only open to offices and residential buildings that are supporters of the shuttle — but that will change in the near future. The City of Watertown is part of the Watertown Transportation Management Association (TMA).

Elections

View the School Committee Candidate Forum Video

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Monday night, the candidates for Watertown School Committee appeared at a live forum and answered questions about the future of the middle school, the school budget, vocational education, making students and family feel welcome in the Watertown Public Schools, and more. The candidate forum is the fourth hosted by WCA-TV and Watertown News. See how the candidates — David Stokes, Jessica Middlebrook, Joe Ganno, and Sheila Krisnan (Amy Donohue could not attend) — responded to the questions posed by host Maya Shwayder. Watch the video by clicking here: http://vodwcatv.org/internetchannel/show/4171?site=1

More Candidate Forums

On Oct. 6, the candidates running Councilor At-Large — Tom Tracy, Tony Palomba, Theo Offei, John Gannon, and Caroline Bays — appeared at the Middle School Auditorium.

Business

Watertown Mall Property Sold, Plans for Life Science Redevelopment Appears to be Over

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(UPDATED on Oct. 21, 2025 at 2:20 p.m.: The first version incorrectly noted that the whole 24 acres of the proposed project were sold. Only 550 Arsenal Street were sold). Plans to turn the Watertown Mall and other properties on the north side of Arsenal Street into a life science campus appear to be over after the owners of the property sold to a Newton-based development firm. The Boston Globe reported that Alexandria Real Estate sold the Watertown Mall property in Watertown, which is located at 550 Arsenal St., to National Development for $100.25 million.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Found Undressed in Apartment Building, Medicaid Scam

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Oct. 9: A worker at an apartment building on Arsenal Street was told that someone saw a totally nude man in the hallway. The worker came across the man in the building’s stairwell who was wearing no shirt and his genitals were exposed. The worker was caught off guard, was shocked and alarmed.

Around Town

Take a Walk Through Mt. Auburn Cemetery With in the October WBC Walk N Talk

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The final Watertown Business Coalition Walk N Talk of 2025 will take place in the Mount Auburn Cemetery. Check out the fall foliage in the historic cemetery. The walk will take place on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 1 p.m. Arrive via the Mount Auburn Street Entrance (580 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge). Parking is on any road without a Green line painted on it, but there are also signs that point people towards visitor parking. 

Meeting spot: Asa Gray Garden, the ornamental garden area just inside the M.A.C. Entrance. 

The Walk N Talk, co-sponsored with Live Well Watertown, provides an opportunity to engage with fellow community members, support local Watertown businesses and participate in physical activity. Whether you’re looking to relax, network, or enjoy the outdoors, these walks offer a perfect blend of recreation and community engagement.