Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/author/guest-writer/)
Phil Vachon
A Mass of Christian Burial for Philip A. “Phil” Vachon will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Church in Watertown. Phil was born in Boston to the late Philip J. and Helen M. (Kelly) Vachon. He passed away surrounded by his loving family on April 28, 2026. He was 75 years old.
The Watertown Business Coalition will host a Member Appreciation Social at Donohue’s Bar & Grill on Wednesday, May, 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event is open to members and non-members. See more details in the information from the WBC, below:
Join us for a fun night as we celebrate YOU – our members, friends and WBC Community! We wouldn’t be here without your constant support, we’re so grateful you’re part of this growing community! Hear about the WBC’s 2026 so far and updates on exciting member benefits we’re rolling out in May. Come, bring a friend (or two), and learn how to get the most out of your membership.
The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment:
The Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment will be showing the film PALESTINE 1920: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PALESTINIAN STORY produced by Al Jazeera Arabic in 1922. Please join us for a post film discussion led by Hani Murad, a Palestinian American. The Palestine Committee of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment is offering a series of documentary and feature films that explores the history and culture of the Palestinian people and provides a picture of their life under Israeli occupation. “Palestine 1920” relies on historical research, witness accounts and archival material to challenge the notion that Palestinian-Jewish relationship in the early 20th century reflected “a land without a people and a people without a land.”
Our work is supported, in part, by Survival Education Fund, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY MAY 10. 2026
TIME: 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: The Church of the Good Shepherd,
9 Russell Ave, Watertown, MA 02472
ADMISSION: Free
MORE INFORMATION: watertowncitizens@gmail.com
* The church is located at the corner of Russell Ave & Mt.
The following information was provided by MassDOT:
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) are announcing an updated schedule for ongoing overnight closures of Storrow Drive eastbound and Soldiers Field Road eastbound from North Harvard Street to Mugar Way in Boston. Closures will now be in place nightly, seven days a week, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning, beginning Monday, May 11, and continuing through August. These closures are required to accommodate interim concrete ceiling repairs for the Storrow Drive tunnel maintenance project.
Work restrictions will be implemented as necessary to minimize impacts during significant local events, such as concerts and events at Fenway, TD Garden, as well as during the FIFA World Cup and MA250 celebrations.
A detour will be in place from North Harvard Street over the Anderson Bridge to Memorial Drive in Cambridge, and into Boston using the Longfellow Bridge.
For more information on the Storrow Drive tunnel maintenance project, please visit the project website. Appropriate signage, law enforcement details, and advanced message boards will be in place to guide drivers through the work area.
Drivers who are traveling through the area should reduce speed and use caution.
The schedule for this work is weather dependent and is subject to change without notice.
For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are encouraged to:
Download the Mass511 mobile app or visit www.mass511.com to view live cameras, travel times, real-time traffic conditions, and project information before setting out on the road. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions.
Follow @MassDOT on X (formerly known as Twitter) to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.
As part of the Memorial Day celebrations, the City of Watertown will hold a Poppy Social, with a wreath-laying ceremony and open house at the Commander’s Mansion. See more information from the City’s Events Team, below. Poppy Social: Open House & Wreath-Laying Ceremony
Friday, May 22, 2026 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Commander’s Mansion
440 Talcott Avenue, Watertown, MA 02472
We are pleased to welcome all Watertown Veterans and the general public to join us for the annual Poppy Social! The Watertown Veterans’ Services and City Events Team will host an Open House at the Commander’s Mansion including light refreshments and guided tours of the historic residence located in the Arsenal on the Charles complex. Be sure to arrive by 10:30 a.m. for the Honor and Color Guard wreath-laying ceremony!
The 2026 additions to the Community Sculpture Walk, clockwise from top left: Bent by David Skora, Structural Misinformation by Jeremy Entwistle, Tangent II by Carlos Davila, and Respite (Out Straight) by Roe Osborn. The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
The City of Watertown is proud to announce the installation of four new contemporary sculptures as part of the ongoing Community Sculpture Walk. To celebrate these new additions to the city’s landscape, a public opening reception will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., hosted by the Public Arts & Culture Committee. The event will begin where the Community Path starts at Saltonstall Park, located next to the Thaxter Street municipal parking lot behind the Watertown Free Public Library. The reception offers a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to meet the artists behind the work.
Construction of the Mt. Auburn Street Project this week includes work on sidewalks, but business entrances will still be accessible. Also, expect require lane shifts and parking restrictions. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Traffic Line Striping – Overnight Work
Traffic line striping is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, 2026, beginning at 8:00 p.m. and lasting approximately four hours.
The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
The City’s Parker Building at 124 Watertown Street will be temporarily closed from May 2-12, 2026, to undergo electrical service upgrades in the building. All City Departments who work in the Parker Building will be relocated to Watertown City Hall’s Lower Hearing Room (ground floor of 149 Main Street) during the temporary closure. Members of the community needing to communicate with the departments below can continue to reach them by phone, or by visiting the Lower Hearing Room during their normal operating hours, which can be found on the City’s website. Public Health
Inspectional Services Division
Zoning & Code Enforcement
Planning & Zoning
Information Technology
Public Buildings
The Watertown Food Pantry will be closed on their regularly scheduled days of May 5 and May 12, 2026, due to the service upgrades. To account for the closed dates, the Food Pantry will run a temporary schedule at their location in the Parker Building on:
Tuesday, April 28, 10am – 2pm (regular hours)
Friday May 1, 10am – 2pm
Wednesday, May 13, 10am – 2pm
Thursday, May 14, 10am – 2pm
Tuesday, May 19, 10am – 2pm (regular hours)
The City has communicated with all private tenants in the Parker Building, who will not be able to operate in the building during this closure.