Government

Watertown Tax Relief Legislation Signed by Governor, Preventing 18% Jump in Property Taxes

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Massachusetts State House (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown residential property owners could have faced increases of around 18%, but special legislation approved recently on Beacon Hill will prevent that. See the announcement provided by the City of Watertown, below. Gov. Maura Healey signed into law H.5569, the property tax classification bill that will protect Watertown residential taxpayers from an estimated 18% increase in future tax bills. This comes after months of hard work by Sen. Will Brownsberger, and Reps. John Lawn and Steve Owens working with their colleagues on Beacon Hill, as well as the advocacy by the City Council President Mark Sideris and City Manager George Proakis at the State House to get this bill passed.

Schools

Watertown Students Make Dean’s List at 3 Colleges

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Six students from Watertown made the dean’s list at three colleges: Washington University in St. Louis, Emmanuel College, and Regis College. The following information was provided by the colleges. Washington University

Ella Meshoulam of Watertown, Massachusetts (02472), was named to the dean’s list for the spring 2026 semester at Washington University in St. Louis.

Business

Chamber Hosting Watertown Night at Mighty Squirrel Biergarten

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The Charles River Regional Chamber’s Watertown Night returns on Thursday, Aug. 27 at the Mighty Squirrel Biergarten at Gore Place. See details provided by the Chamber, below. We’re celebrating the businesses and nonprofits in Watertown at Mighty Squirrel’s seasonal biergarten at Gore Place.The biergarten features a rotating list of Mighty Squirrel beers on tap, along with hard seltzers, hard smoothies, and nonalcoholic beers. On-site, the food truck serves up lobster rolls, clam chowder, smash burgers, wings, and harvest bowls, among other options, while live music and yard games keep the evening lively.

Elections

Three Watertown City Councilors Endorse State Senate Candidate

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Daniel Lander. The following announcement was provided by Daniel Lander for State Senate:

Three Watertown city councilors have rescinded their endorsements of Will Brownsberger and are now endorsing Daniel Lander and his campaign for state senate. As Daniel continues to build strong support in Watertown, Councilors John Gannon, Theo Offei, and Tony Palomba, have endorsed Daniel because of his focus on building a State Senate that fights for working people. The three councilors endorsed Senator Brownsberger early in the race. But with election day just a month away, they’ve endorsed Daniel Lander because they believe in his vision for a State Senate that fights for affordable housing, supports working families, and that will partner with local leaders to move our communities forward.

Letters

LETTER: Housing Advocates Encouraged to Attend Meeting on Watertown Square Redevelopment

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This Monday, Aug. 10th, the city will hold a public meeting to update the public about the Watertown Square Demonstration Project at 6 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library. For those who need a reminder, here’s where things stand. The city has proposed redevelopment of the parking lot behind CVS, along with several adjacent private parcels of land. The project will add 200-300 new units of market rate housing (including 30-45 new deed-restricted affordable units through our inclusionary zoning ordinance) as well as some new public open space.

Food

See Which Watertown Restaurant is Part of Dine Out Boston

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The interior at Bar ‘Cino features exposed brick and artwork. (Photo courtesy of Bar ‘Cino)

A restaurant in Watertown Square is offering a special-course three-course prix-fixe menu during Dine Out Boston, which runs from Aug. 1 to 15, 2026. The menu is only available for dining in. The following announcement was provided by the Newport Restaurant Group:

Newport Restaurant Group (NRG), is pleased to announce its participation in Dine Out Boston.

Letters

LETTER: Concerns About Redesign of Mt. Auburn Street

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Greetings Councilors:

Are you aware of the many resident concerns being voiced about the excessive size of the sidewalk bump outs along the Mount Auburn Street Corridor? Someone is certainly monitoring the negative feedback. Note the most recent Mount Auburn Street Project Updates for the week of Aug. 3rd. The City’s Project Team clearly places the onus of the design concept on the 07/10/2018 endorsement vote of the Town/City Council.

Around Town

Free Salsa Dance Lessons, August Watertown Walks

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This month, Live Well Watertown is hosting free dance lessons on four Tuesdays, and the Watertown Walks series continues. The following information was provided by Live Well Watertown, a program of the City of Watertown:

Thrive in Motion Class: Salsa in Saltonstall Park! Tuesdays, Aug. 4, 11, 18, 257 – 8:15 p.m. NO REGISTRATIONNO CLASS IF RAINING

Thrive in Motion: Dance & Wellness SeriesMove your body, lift your mood, and connect in community!  This series blends energizing dance fitness with conversations about stress relief, wellness, and resilience in a welcoming environment. No dance experience needed — just come as you are.What to bring: A water bottle, a towel (for use during class and to sit on during outdoor sessions), and comfortable clothing and shoes that allow for ease of movement.