Business

Watertown Lab Building Wins Environment & Energy Leader Top Project Award

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66 Galen Street (Courtesy Photo)

The following announcement was provided by Catalyze:

Catalyze, a fully integrated developer and Independent Power Producer (IPP) of distributed renewable energy assets, announced that its 66 Galen project has been named a Top Project of the Year in the Environmental Impact category by the 2025 Environment + Energy (E+E) Leader Awards Program. Catalyze has received recognition from the E+E Leader Awards for three consecutive years. The company previously won a Top Project of the Year award for its Amherst Community Solar Farm in 2024 and a Top Product of the Year award in 2023 for its integrated platform, REenergyze®. 66 Galen is a state-of-the-art life science facility in Watertown, MA, jointly owned by Davis and Boston Development Group (BDG), featuring modern, purpose-built offices and laboratories. Catalyze enhanced the facility by installing 252 kWdc of rooftop-mounted solar panels, a 125 kW energy storage system, and 15 EV charging ports on-site.

Entertainment

Local Art Gallery Hosting Show During YardArt 2025

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Watertown gallery Storefront Art Projects is participating in YardArt 2025, the community-wide celebration of creativity and fun in front yards, porches, and windows around town. The exhibition called Dancing in the Dark, Resistance, Persistence and the Pursuit of Happiness runs through April 5-26. See details in the announcement from Storefront Art Projects below. YardArt 2025 with: Paul Angiolillo, Cat Bennett, Donna Calleja, Marieju Dawe, Dianne Jenkins, Mauryn Kkira, Michelle Lougee, Hakim Raquib, Maggie Stern, Charles Suggs and Ellen Wineberg 

April 5-26

Reception Saturday, April 5, 1-4 p.m.

It’s YardArt month in Watertown. They can’t cancel spring!

Letters

OP-ED: Watertown’s Budget — What Are the Priorities?

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

PART 1: Watertown’s Days of Plenty

Over the last few years, there’s been a sort of “Boom town” attitude toward what we could afford here in Watertown. Despite the folks who said,”Don’t you think that we should slow down here? We’ve been here before, and this bubble is likely to burst sooner than later.” Those voices were drowned out and ignored. As one worried resident said, “When the downturn comes, it’s going to get ugly around here!”

You know when you have an uneasy feeling? Call it what you like … intuition, sixth sense, foreboding, “the jitters.” Well, lately I’ve been feeling uneasy and unsettled about the potential financial and policy direction of our City.

Around Town

Watertown Walks Return, Each Feature City, Health, Arts & Business Themes

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The following information was provided by the City of Watertown’s Live Well Watertown:

WEEKLY WATERTOWN WALKS are back! Weekly programs will take place every Thursday, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. (10 a.m. in July & August) and include movement, conversation, and opportunities to connect, interact, and explore the greater community. The walking portion of these programs will be approximately 30 – 40 minutes, and we encourage attendees to walk at a comfortable pace. 

Each month will feature city happenings, health and wellness, arts & culture, and community/business assets (some walks are in collaboration with the Watertown Public Arts & Culture Committee and Watertown Business Coalition). SIGN UP HERE for reminders and check our website calendar for walk details and updates. Walks will not take place if it’s raining or if there is a heat advisory. 

April Walk Schedule

April 3 ~ Tyler Cote, Community Engagement SpecialistWalk with Tyler and chat about creative engagement! Share feedback and suggest ways the city should consider engaging with residents.

Transportation

MBTA to Increase Service on a Watertown Bus Route

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An MBTA bus. (Photo from City of Watertown)

The MBTA announced changes as part of the Better Bus Project, including increased service on one of Watertown’s bus lines. See information sent out by the MBTA, below. Subway and bus spring schedules will go into effect on April 6, 2025. The new schedule will include multiple changes to improve service frequency and schedule reliability in order to address growing traffic congestion. Riders are encouraged to use the MBTA’s Trip Planner to plan their trips and check out the full list of upcoming bus service changes at MBTA.com/ServiceChanges.

Business

Charles River Chamber Hosting Coffee Connect in Watertown

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The following information came from the Charles River Chamber:

Start your morning with coffee, conversation, and connections! Our popular Coffee Connect series is heading to Not Your Average Joe’s in Watertown Square, where our hosts will be showcasing some of their delicious brunch offerings exclusively for this event. April 15, 2025, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Join fellow Chamber members and local professionals to expand your network, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships in a welcoming, low-pressure setting. Our Coffee Connects often draw 75+ attendees and are open to both members and those interested in learning more about chamber membership. This event is free, but space is limited—register in advance to secure your spot!

Letters

LETTER: Ambulance, Public Safety Should be a Priority in New City Positions

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Greetings Councilors:

Has anyone noticed the cumulative monetary effects of all the new positions created within the City Administration? And yet; a second ambulance, for the well-being and safety of the citizens of Watertown, is in jeopardy of not materializing for the coming fiscal year budget. The last paragraph of the 03/06/25 Committee on Budget and Fiscal Oversight (BFO) Report states as follows:

“At the conclusion of the discussion, the Manager shared that there is uncertainty around the FY26 budget,…..He proposed that the Fire Department and Committee continue exploring the proposal, given the  value of having an additional on-site ambulance service. However, he does not see this as a possibility for FY26 given where we are in the planning cycle, and the current forecast.” [Note: referral to BFO was made on 11/12/24]

So …, after the Council and City Manager hired over thirty new employees in two fiscal years: it seems as though the City is now in austerity mode. At the 2023 Memorial Day Parade; I spoke to several City Councilors. I strongly voiced my concerns against the then proposed increased level of new City hires, included in the FY 24 Budget.

Entertainment

Call for Local Artists to Be Part of the 2025 Watertown Arts Market

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Arts Market Committee:

The Watertown Business Coalition is excited to announce the fifth annual Watertown Arts Market will take place on Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 12:00 – 5:00pm at Arsenal Park. This celebratory event brings together an abundance of artists, arts and cultural organizations, and arts- and culture-related businesses based in or serving Watertown. More information is available at www.watertownartsmarket.com. 

Calling All Local Artists

We would love to have you join us for this event! Local artists of all media, nonprofit arts and culture organizations, and arts and culture businesses are invited to host a table at the Watertown Arts Market from 12:00 – 5:00pm on Saturday, August 9, 2025. The Watertown Arts Market is committed to including a diverse range of arts and culture offerings across mediums and cultures.