Letters

LETTER: Whose Job is it to Unmask the Threat to Democracy?

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Dear Editor,

It is like it has not happened in Watertown. Whose Job is it to Unmask the Threat to Democracy? When federal agents conceal their identities behind masks, they don’t just cover their faces — they block accountability, liability and proper identification as a federal agent. In recent months, ICE has deployed masked officers in plainclothes across American cities, detaining immigrants and citizens alike without identification and a charge. This is not just unconstitutional — it’s dangerous.

Obituaries

OBIT: Tom Lewis, 82, Architect Who Worked at Perkins & Harvard Medical School, Senior Center Volunteer

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Tom Henry Lewis, 82, of Watertown, Massachusetts, died peacefully from natural causes on July 3, 2025, at Neville Center at Fresh Pond, near his home in Watertown. Tom was born the son of Herman and Angeline (Smith) Lewis on May 10, 1943, on the family farm near Edgewood, Iowa. He was valedictorian of the class of 1961, the last class to graduate from Edgewood High School. The following year Edgewood and Colesburg united to become Ed-Co. Tom graduated from Cal Poly Tech in San Luis Obispo, CA in 1965 and began his career as a registered architect working for Leo Peiffer Assoc.

Letters

LETTER: Better Communication Needed When Utility Work is Planned on City Streets

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A letter from Watertown resident Linda Scott to City Manager George Proakis:

Hi George,

I hope that you’re enjoying your vacation. Here’s a picture of what we’re up to here in Watertown. We miss you!! At last night’s City Council meeting, the Council President said that you had long-term plans. Somehow, I imagine if there was something called an emergency rezoning meeting or they were reviewing plans for that “big, beautiful seven story parking garage” you want to plunk, unceremoniously in the middle of Watertown Square, you would have made other plans.

Around Town

City Hosting Extreme Weather Preparedness Workshop

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The City of Watertown will host a workshop on how to prepare for extreme weather on July 14. See details in the announcement below. Attend the Extreme Weather Workshop, Building Climate Resilience and Flooding Solutions in Watertown, on Monday, July 14, 2025, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, 31 Marshall Street. Join us to explore the effects of flooding in Watertown and learn how to prepare for extreme weather. Get tips on preparedness, share flood solutions with neighbors and communicate your priorities to city staff.

Around Town

Learn About Historic Events in Watertown in July 1776 at Historical Society’s Presentation

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Charlie BreitroseA colonial re-enactor listens to a reading of the Declaration of Independence from the Edmund Fowle House on Marshall Street during the Historical Society of Watertown’s celebration in 2015. This year’s event will be at the Watertown Senior Center. The Historical Society of Watertown will host “Historic Events in Watertown, July 1776” at the Watertown Senior Center, 31 Marshall St., on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, from 5-6:30 p.m. See details in the event announcement below. Please attend this special program presented by the Historical Society at the Watertown Senior Center, honoring two important events: the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Watertown. The Treaty of Watertown was the first international US treaty.

Around Town

Trash Collections Continue, Some Areas Still Awaiting Pickup

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Watertown DPWCurbside trash and recycling has restarted but some residents still await pickups. The City of Watertown provided the following update on trash collection, and announced that the emergency drop off location on at 148 Waltham St. will be open again on Wednesday, July 9 from 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. See the announcement below. Curbside pickup will continue tomorrow, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, with regularly scheduled Wednesday B week services in Watertown. Republic Services replacement crews were in Watertown collecting trash and recycling today, July 8, 2025, for those with Tuesday trash pickup, and B week recycling pickup.

Entertainment

“Expert Pairings” Teams of Artists and Scientists Unveil Public Art Projects

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Edible Watertown, a dynamic public art initiative by the Public Arts & Culture Committee, brings temporary public artworks to Watertown in 2025, focusing on local ecology, resilience, and environmental awareness. “We are incredibly excited to see the collaborations unfold and the educational artworks that will emerge,” said Liz Helfer, Public Arts & Culture Planner. “These pairings bring together unique perspectives and expertise, and we anticipate that their projects will deeply resonate with our community.” The “Expert Pairings” teams are currently implementing their project proposals, which were presented to the Public Arts & Culture Committee on February 24, 2025. The projects will be unveiled between July – October 2025.

Schools

Watertown College Graduates from WPI, Hamilton, MassBay Emmanuel, William & Mary

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Clipartpanda.com

Students from Watertown graduated from several colleges in the spring of 2025. See the list below. WPI

On Friday, May 16, Emily Azevedo, who majored in Biology and Biotechnology, was bestowed a bachelor’s degree at WPI’s 156th Commencement. Nearly 1,300 undergraduate degrees were awarded during the ceremony. President Grace J. Wang, PhD, and Board of Trustees Chair William Fitzgerald presided over the exercises.