Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/government/)
Watertown groups will host candidate nights for two races on the Sept. 1 State Primary ballot on Aug. 4 and 5. On Tuesday, the candidates for 10th Middlesex State Representative will appear on a live broadcast debate. The following night, the candidates for the 5th Congressional District have been invited to an online candidate forum.
A view of the proposed mixed-use project at 9 Galen St. on the site of the former mill building. (From RMR Group Plans)
The large brick building facing the Delta in Watertown Square could be turned into a mixed-use building with six stories and 285 residential units and space for 6,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail.
David Solet
The following announcement was provided by the David Solet for Middlesex District Attorney Campaign:
Two Watertown Police Unions announced July 22 that they have endorsed David Solet, a veteran trial attorney and 2025 Middlesex County Prosecutor of the Year, to replace current District Attorney Marian Ryan, citing fundamental differences in their approach to pursuing justice and protecting the residents of Middlesex County. The Watertown Superiors Police Association and the Watertown Police Patrol Association noted that Solet would crack down on illegal gun trafficking, prioritize the prosecution of repeat violent offenders, and fight for changes to close loopholes in state laws that jeopardize public safety. The two unions join 25 other public safety unions and organizations across Middlesex County — including the Cambridge, Somerville, Lowell, and Framingham Police Associations — endorsing Solet in his bid to unseat the 13-year incumbent in the Sept. 1 Democratic primary. Lt. Wayne Hoiseth, President of the Watertown Superiors Association, said: “In our line of work, trust is everything.
The proposed Demonstration Project in Watertown Square — which includes a parking garage, a residential building, retail space, and green open space — will be discussed by the City Council on Aug. 10 at the Watertown Library. See more information provided by the City of Watertown, below. The City Council, sitting as the Redevelopment Authority, is hosting a hybrid meeting to have an initial discussion regarding the Demonstration Project plan. We encourage you to join and participate in the meeting.
The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
The Watertown Public Health Department, in collaboration with the Watertown Police Department, Zoning & Code Enforcement Team, Inspectional Services Division, and with assistance from the FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation — Human Trafficking Task Force, conducted inspections of bodywork establishments in Watertown on July 22, 2026, resulting in closure of multiple businesses due to violations of the City’s rules and regulations. These inspections were carried out in accordance with the City of Watertown’s rules and regulations governing bodywork with the goal of ensuring compliance to safeguard residents and businesses in Watertown, as well as protect against human trafficking. This joint operation was conducted at four establishments, resulting in all locations being shut down. One of the locations, Thai Body Spa (12 Belmont St.), was shut down due to items of sexual nature present, no Certificate of Occupancy, and no bodywork permit. The other three locations were closed down for failing to acquire appropriate certifications, including a Certificate of Occupancy and/or bodywork permit.
Daniel Lander. The following announcement was provided by Daniel Lander for State Senate:
State Auditor Diana DiZoglio endorsed Daniel Lander’s campaign for State Senate, providing significant momentum to Daniel Lander’s campaign against the architect of the broken status quo on Beacon Hill as the campaigns head into the last six weeks. A former State Senator herself, DiZoglio has spent her career fighting for transparency on Beacon Hill. As Auditor, DiZoglio led the successful statewide ballot campaign to audit the state legislature. Despite receiving overwhelming support from more than 70% of voters, Senator Brownsberger and his colleagues in Senate leadership have spent the past year and half trying to block the legislative audit.
The candidates running for the Massachusetts 5th Congressional District seat will appear on a virtual forum sponsored by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment. See details provided by the group, below. Meet the candidates in the Democratic Primary for Representative of CD5 in Congress: Katherine Clark, Jonathan Paz, and Tarik Samman. Attend our Candidates Forum on Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. on Zoom to hear what they have to say and to ask them questions.
The primary is Sept.
Watertown City and State officials appeared before a joint committee at the State House on Jan. 27, 2026, to discuss the City’s Home Rule Petition. Pictured, from left, Steve Owens, George Proakis, John Lawn, Earl Smith, and Mark Sideris. The City of Watertown’s effort to prevent a tax hike for residential property owners, which could be as high as 18%, cleared a major hurdle when it was approved the the House of Representatives on Beacon Hill. On July 8, the House unanimously approved the bill called “An Act relative to property tax classifications in the city of Watertown for fiscal year 2027 and subsequent fiscal years.”
RESCHEDULED TO AUG. 4, 2026 (Click here for information)
A Public Shade Tree Hearing will be held about the proposed removal of four trees on public property on Channing Road, Elmwood Avenue, Fairview Avenue, and Webster Street. See more information from the Watertown Tree Warden, below. Public Shade Trees are protected by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 87. The removal of a healthy public tree requires an advertised public hearing.
