Elections

Gov. Healey Endorses State Sen. Will Brownsberger for Re-Election

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Will Brownsberger

The following announcement was provided by the Will Brownsberger Campaign:

Governor Maura Healey announced her support for State Senator Will Brownsberger in his re-election effort. Brownsberger represents the Suffolk and Middlesex district, consisting of Belmont, Watertown, West Cambridge, Allston, Brighton, and Fenway. “Senator Brownsberger’s leadership has been a crucial part of so much of our state’s progress in the last decade, and we need him back on Beacon Hill next year,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I’ve been proud to work with him on everything from making our communities safer to driving economic growth, and he played an instrumental role in helping the Affordable Homes Act across the finish line to build more housing and lower costs. I’m grateful for his partnership, and I’m proud to support his re-election.”

“Governor Healey has been a friend and partner in securing real progress to lower costs and deliver results for people across my district and all across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Brownsberger, “I am grateful for her support in this election, and I’m excited to get to work to re-elect her and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll this November.”

Senator Brownsberger and Governor Healey have worked closely on a number of efforts to improve the district and the state as a whole, including the passage of the Mass Leads Act, which invested $400 million to drive economic development through investments in the AI, climatetech, and life sciences sectors, and their partnership was instrumental in passing the historic $5.16 billion Affordable Homes Act to increase the supply of homes to bring down costs.

Around Town

Hear How Watertown is Prepping for a Big Summer of Tourism in 2026 at Watertown’s Open

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Little Local Conversations, the Watertown Business Coalition, and the City of Watertown’s Economic Development department present a panel discussion on Summer Tourism 2026 on April 7. Watertown’s Open is a series of live podcast events that bring local businesses and local business advocates together to share their stories and knowledge to help lift the entire business community. The project is a collaboration between the City of Watertown’s Economic Development Planner, the Little Local Conversations podcast, and the Watertown Business Coalition. Summer Tourism 2026: A Live Podcast Discussion on How Watertown Businesses Can Capitalize on the Tourist Influx This Summer

Join us for the next Watertown’s Open event at WCA-TV Studios at 30 Common St in Watertown. (See this page on their website for directions and parking info.) There will be a panel discussion to discuss what’s going on in the Watertown/Greater Boston region this summer (hint: a lot!), how panelists have successfully attracted tourists for previous events, and how we can work together to bring people to Watertown this summer.

Around Town

St. Patrick Family Players Performing “Resurrection” on Palm Sunday

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The following announcement was provided by St. Patrick Family Players:

Please join us for this free, musical performance on Palm Sunday, March 29th at 7:00 PM at St. Patrick’s Church, 212 Main Street, Watertown. 

“Resurrection” is the inspirational story of Simon Peter and the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. The performance leads the audience on an unforgettable spiritual journey with St. Peter as he faces his martyrdom. 

St.

Schools

Watertown Student Named Semifinalist for Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship

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Jack Kent Cooke Foundation logo

The following information came from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation:

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation announced today that Yuanzhe Wang of Middlesex Community College  is among the semifinalists for its highly competitive Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The Foundation named 485 semifinalists for the scholarship, which supports the nation’s top community college students with financial need seeking to complete a bachelor’s degree at four-year colleges or universities. 

Selected from a pool of more than 1,300 applicants, this year’s semifinalists represent 224 community colleges across 37 states. Each was chosen through an evaluation process that assesses academic ability and achievement, perseverance, and leadership. 

The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship enables recipients to complete their bachelor’s degrees debt-free at any accredited four-year college or university in the United States and provides last-dollar funding of up to $55,000 per year for two to three years. The award is designed to remove financial barriers so that high-achieving community college students can transfer to and thrive at the nation’s top institutions. 

“Through the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation works to ensure that exceptional community college students have the opportunities to reach their full academic potential,” said Executive Director Giuseppe “Seppy” Basili. “This year’s semifinalists reflect the remarkable talent and ambition found in community colleges nationwide.” 

The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship provides comprehensive support that extends far beyond financial assistance, recognizing that admission and enrollment are only the beginning. Selected Cooke Transfer Scholars receive personalized educational advising from the Foundation’s Deans of Scholar Support, who guide them through the transition to a four-year institution and help prepare them for future careers.

Letters

LETTER: Chamber Encourages Council to Adopt Local News Day Resolution

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The following letter was sent to City Council President Mark Siders by the Charles River Regional Chamber:

Dear Council President Sideris,

On behalf of the Charles River Regional Chamber, I write to urge the Watertown City Council to designate April 9 as Local News Day. Local media play a pivotal role in our community — reporters hold municipal leaders accountable, spotlight neighborhood concerns, celebrate local achievements and keep residents informed in ways no national outlet can. Without strong local journalism, civic life suffers. Waltham’s City Council recently passed a resolution joining a national movement to recognize April 9 as Local News Day, reconnecting residents with trusted local outlets, and sustaining local journalism for generations to come. Watertown should do the same.

Around Town

Find Out About Proposed Solar Project at Gore Place During Developers Meeting

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A Public Information Meeting for the Gore Place Agrivoltaics project will be held on Tuesday, March 31 at 6:30 p.m.

The following notice was provided by the City of Watertown:

Notice is hereby given that the Petitioner will be holding a Public Information Meeting related to Gore Place Agrivoltaics on March 31, 2026. Project Description and Location

The Gore Place Agrivoltaics project proposes new uses for the easternmost 10 acres of the property. This will be a multi-phased project. The first phase will include installing solar panels on roughly 3 ½ acres on the southern portion of the parcel. This installation will also be used as pastureland for sheep, so there will be fencing similar to the other pasturelands at Gore Place.

Government

Watertown Hires New Assistant City Manager for Community Development & Planning

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Watertown City Manager George Proakis announces that Kennan Rhyne, AIA, AICP, will be the City’s new Assistant City Manager for Community Development and Planning. Rhyne is an experienced municipal planner and architect who brings to Watertown an impressive background of leading and contributing to complex planning projects across the region. She most recently served as Principal of her own consulting firm since 2023, where she advised the cities of Boston, Lowell, Quincy, and many other cities and towns on projects related to land use planning, zoning, urban design, and public policy. Rhyne previously served as Deputy Director for Comprehensive Planning in Boston’s Planning and Development Agency, including a stint as Interim Director of Planning in 2022. During her time with the City of Boston, she conducted extensive planning studies that addressed housing needs, economic development, climate resiliency, transportation, and open space.

Around Town

Hibernians Invite Public to Ham-O-Rama on March 28

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The Ancient Order of Hibernians will host Ham-O-Rama on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Hibernian Hall, 151 Watertown St., Watertown. There will be four rounds and 160 chances to win, a 50/50 raffle, raffle baskets, and other items.

For more information contact laohwatertown@gmail.com.