Watertown Library’s Hatch Makerspace Celebrating 10 Years With Open House

The Watertown Library invites the public to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Hatch Makerspace. See the details in the announcement below. The Watertown Free Public Library’s Hatch Makerspace turns 10 this month! The Library invites you to join us in celebrating a decade of community creativity! Founded in 2014, Hatch Makerspace marked its official opening in January 2015 at the Arsenal Mall in Watertown.

City Council to Discuss Winter Parking Ban at Special Meeting

Watertown City Hall

The City Council will discuss whether to continue the Winter Parking Ban after receiving a petition signed by more than 800 residents. The public an provide input at the special meeting scheduled later this month. The City sent out the following information:

A Special City Council Meeting to discuss the Winter Parking Ban has been scheduled for January 21, 2025 at 6 p.m. This is a Public Hearing that has been scheduled following the City Council receiving a petition asking for the Winter Parking Ban be lifted. The Hearing will be held in the City Council Chamber in Watertown City Hall at 149 Main Street. The Hearing’s agenda will be posted soon.

LETTER: Library’s Survey Missing a Key Language in Watertown

Letter to the Editor:

The Watertown Free Public Library’s efforts to gather community input for its 2026–28 Strategic Plan are commendable and reflect a genuine desire to serve the needs of residents. However, as a former resident of Watertown, I was surprised and disappointed to see that Armenian is not among the survey’s available languages (“Watertown Library’s Survey Will Help Plan for the Future,” Jan. 6, Watertown News). Estimates suggest that Armenians make up around 20 percent of Watertown’s population, making Armenian one of the most widely spoken minority languages in the town. The Armenian community has been vital to Watertown’s cultural and social fabric for decades, contributing to its unique identity.

Major Watertown Street Closed Tuesday Due to a Water Emergency

One of Watertown’s major roadways will be closed to do emergency repair work, according to an announcement from the City of Watertown sent out at 9 a.m. Tuesday. The announcement reads:

Due to emergency water repairs, Pleasant Street is closed in both directions from Myrtle Street to Cross Street today, January 7, 2025. 

Watertown Fitness Studio Running Free Mini Classes During Open House

Watertown’s Fly Together Fitness will host free mini classes during an open studio Jan. 12 from 1-4 p.m.

Fly Together provided the following information:

Curious about pole fitness or the new movement spaces in Somerville and Watertown? Join us for a family-friendly open house at our Watertown location (100 Parker Street, Watertown, MA) to learn about our studio and community, take a FREE mini class or two, and grab some great Intro Package deals! ⁠We’re excited to share our pole and movement philosophy with you. Whether you’re looking to execute impressive pole tricks, build strength, endurance, and flexibility, unleash your sensual side, or just dance like no one’s watching, there’s something for you at Fly Together Fitness! 

⁠All attendees are entered into a 3 class package raffle to help warm up your day.

Watertown Library’s Survey Will Help Plan for the Future

Watertown LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Library wants to hear from the public as it plans for the future. A survey has been posted on the Library’s website and is also available at the Library in seven languages. The survey includes a number of questions and comment boxes. Some of the topics covered in the survey include the following:

Evaluating StaffRating the Building and FacilitiesGeneral Services and Experiences Most Important to the Survey TakerRating Collections and ServicesWhat would you love to see at WFPL?

Drainage Installation at Mt. Auburn St. & Arlington St. Intersection to Begin This Week

Work on the Mt. Auburn Street reconstruction project will restart in the New Year. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown. Drainage Installation Work ContinuesNewport Construction is continuing to complete the drainage installation work along Mount Auburn Street, next beginning their work at the Arlington Street intersection and moving toward Watertown Square on Monday, January 6, 2025. Work will happen between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Monday through Friday.