Around Town

Wayside Multi’s PSA Debuts on Cable, Focuses on How the Program Meets Residents’ Needs

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A screenshot from the Wayside Youth and Family Network Multi Service Center’s PSA. The Wayside Youth and Family Support Network Multi-Service Center recently debuted a public service announcement on Watertown Cable Access TV, featuring Program Director Sophia Suarez-Friedman. She spoke about the increasing stress among Watertown residents as they struggle to meet basic needs. Through Wayside, residents can be connected to housing assistance, food, and more services. Wayside provides a variety of services, including outreach, counseling services, and substance use prevention.

Government

Council Votes to Shorten Winter Parking Ban (This Year) & Increase Parking Fines During Snow Emergencies

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Watertown’s Winter Parking Ban will last just two months in 2026, from Jan. 1 to March 1, after the City Council approved a temporary change in the overnight parking regulations. In addition, they approved a sharp increase in fines for cars left on the road during a snow emergency. Tuesday night, City Manager George Proakis presented the changes, which were meant to be a stop-gap until the City can do a more wholesale change to the parking ban. In January, residents filled the Council Chamber for a hearing about eliminating the parking ban completely.

Around Town

Local Man Seeking Kidney Donors to Help Himself and Others Needing One

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James Pagounes, second from right, seeks an organ donor before his kidneys fail. He is shown here with his family: wife, Joanne, and sons Othon, Kimon, and Iraklis. (Contributed Photo)

James Pagounes first learned he had polycystic kidney disease 16 years ago, which creates cysts on the kidneys until they no longer function. Now he is in dire need of a kidney donation. Pagounes, who lives in Waltham and has attended Taxiarchae/Archangels Greek Church in Watertown for many years, has been looking for a kidney for some time, and now his kidneys are in such bad shape that he has to go to dialysis three times a week.

Government

City’s Longtime Leader of Community Development and Planning Retiring in January

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Steve Magoon

After more than 17 years leading Watertown’s economic development and planning efforts, Steve Magoon will be retiring from the City of Watertown at the end of January. First hired in 2008 as the Director of Community Development and Planning, Magoon was elevated by the late City Manager Mike Driscoll to Assistant City Manager for Community Development and Planning in the mid-2010s. He continues to serve in that role for City Manager George Proakis, who thanked him for his service at the Nov. 12 City Council Meeting. “In the coming weeks, I know we’ll have a chance to celebrate Steve and his accomplishments in Watertown,” Proakis said at the Council meeting.

Government

Winter Parking Ban Could be Shortened by City Council

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Charlie BreitroseSnow started early Tuesday and will get much heavier during the day. The overnight parking ban may be reduced by more than a month if the City Council approves a proposal for a temporary modification to the Winter Parking Ban on Tuesday night. The proposal will be discussed on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. in City Hall and on Zoom. City Council President Mark Sideris gave a preview of the changes during the Nov.

Government

Council Approves Tax Rate for FY2026, See How Much of an Increase to Expect

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Charlie BreitroseA lot of money was raised and spent on the 2015 Watertown Election. Watertown homeowners will see their property taxes rise nearly 7 percent after the City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Tax Classification on Wednesday night. The average residential tax bill is $11,328, which is up $734 or 6.9 percent, according to the presentation by Earl Smith, the chair of the Watertown Board of Assessors. The Council also adopted the residential exemption at 35 percent, which provides a savings of $3,965. The average tax bill with the residential exemption is $7,363, which is up $476 or 6.9 percent.