Government

See the Date for the Next Newton Corner Long-Term Planning Study Meeting

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Please be advised the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will host the fourth Working Group meeting of the Newton Corner Long-Term Planning Study virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

The Newton Corner I-90 Exit 127 (formerly Exit 17) Interchange is a major local and regional connecting point in Greater Boston’s transportation network. The interchange is known for frequent, severe congestion, and is designated a high crash location. MassDOT’s Office of Transportation Planning is carrying out this long-term planning study to develop and evaluate future travel conditions and alternatives for the interchange and its environs. 

At this meeting, the study team will review feedback from the second Public Information Meeting, present draft alternatives, and discuss the evaluation criteria for alternatives analysis. This will include a discussion with members of the Working Group. The meeting materials will be available after the meeting on the study website. 

While this is a Working Group meeting and will be conducted as such, per open meeting law this meeting is also open to the public. 

For more information, please visit the study’s website: https://www.mass.gov/newton-corner-long-term-planning-study . These meetings are accessible to people with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. Accessibility accommodations and language services will be provided free of charge, upon request, as available.

Government

City to Give Update on Watertown Square Project at Public Meeting

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown invites you on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 6 p.m. to the Watertown Free Public Library (123 Main St.) for a community meeting about the latest updates with the implementation of the Watertown Square Area Plan. Join and hear a presentation from City Manager George Proakis on the latest developments, plans, and questions from the City, including:

A review of the current steps implementing the Watertown Square Area Plan’s vision. Strategies for the future of the public parking lot behind CVS. An introduction into the Demonstration Project and Urban Revitalization Plan. An overview of private-public partnerships, what they are, and why they matter in this project.

Elections

State Senate Candidate Receives State House Staff Union Endorsement

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Daniel Lander. The following announcement was provided by The Lander Committee:

Daniel Lander announced his state senate campaign was endorsed by IBEW 2222 this week, marking his support for organized labor and for State House unionization efforts. In addition to representing thousands of workers across Greater Boston, IBEW 2222 represents State House employees organizing a staff union. 

“IBEW 2222 is proud to endorse Daniel Lander for MA State Senate, a candidate committed to supporting organized labor, and the only candidate in this race supporting the right of Legislative Staffers to organize,” said Kevin Holland, president of IBEW 2222. “We believe Daniel Lander will be a strong advocate for working people in the State Senate.”

Since they began organizing the union in 2019, State House staff have been working to improve low pay, lack of training, and a history of discrimination and harassment on Beacon Hill. Despite a majority of support from Senate staff, current Senator Will Brownsberger has consistently blocked efforts to voluntarily recognize the state house union. 

“I am proud to stand with legislative staff and with IBEW 2222 in their efforts to unionize the State House,” said Daniel Lander, Candidate for State Senate. “As a long time public servant and former union member, I recognize the vital role that staff play.

Government

Council Approves FY27 Capital Items With Funds for Street Repair, Park Projects and the New Middle School

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The City Council approved 36 items from the Capital Improvement Program for the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, including road repairs, some money for the Middle School project, park projects, and requests from the Fire and Police departments. The Council’s Committee on Budget and Fiscal Oversight met twice in February to review the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). On March 10, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the 36 recommendations, as well as asking the City Manager to keep the capital spending under 8% of the total Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget. The projects include $7.5 million in loans to fund road and sidewalk replacements. The list includes Cottage Street and other roadways in the summer of 2027, Forest and Springfield streets in the summers of 2026-28, and Riverside Street the summer of 2027.

Government

State. Sen Will Brownsberger Hosting Online Town Hall Meeting

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Will Brownsberger

State Sen. Will Brownsberger will host a virtual town hall meeting on March 15. See information below. Ask me anything — Sunday, March 15, 3:30 to 5:00PM

Stop by online for an informal town hall meeting. Bring your thoughts, questions, and concerns. Sunday, Mar 15, 2026, 3:30  —  5:00PM

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85474864156?pwd=drJz4JrXADs2E4UBi6KanwaQrLoIKH.1

All are welcome.

Government

Detailed Designs of Middle School Being Created to See if City Can Afford a New School

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A vision of what a new Watertown Middle School could look like created by Ai3 Architects and presented to the School Committee in June 2025. Architects have started creating detailed designs for a new Watertown Middle School to determine how much a new school would cost, and that information will be used by the City to see whether Watertown’s budget can handle a project expected to cost significantly more than $100 million. On Feb. 18, the School Building Committee voted to approve the contract to hire a designer to come up with plans on which a detailed budget can be based upon. When the designs are completed and priced out the City will determine if it is feasible for the City to afford the project, Superintendent Dede Galdston told the School Committee on March 2.

Business

What New Industries Might be Attracted to Watertown, Changes to the Square Discussed by City Manager

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City Manager George Proakis spoke at the Watertown Business Coalition’s City Update on March 5, 2026. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown became a magnet for life science companies in the last several years, and City Manager George Proakis said the building boom in that industry may be slowed, but other industries may be attracted to the same things: proximity to Boston and the universities in the area, easy access, and a nice place to be. Proakis spoke about the City’s economic and financial outlook during the Watertown Business Coalition’s City Update on Thursday morning at the Hampton Inn & Suites. His outlook for Watertown’s economic future was positive, despite the dip in the City’s most prominent industry: life sciences. “We are still in a community, in a state that is well invested in new growth.

Government

Watertown Democrats to Elect Delegates to Democratic State Convention on March 14

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Democratic Committee:

On Saturday, March 14 at 1:30 p.m., Democrats will convene at the Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Savings Bank Room to elect 23 delegates and five alternates to represent Watertown at the 2026 Massachusetts State Democratic Convention. Registration begins at 1:00 p.m. and closes at 1:45 p.m.

Registered and pre-registered Democrats in Watertown, who are 16 years old by the start of thecaucus window (February 19, 2026) and pre-registered by the time of their caucus, may voteand be elected as delegates or alternates during the caucus. Youth (age 16 to 35), individualswith disabilities, people of color, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ+ community notelected as delegates or alternates are encouraged to apply to be add-on delegates at the caucusor by visiting https://www.massdems.org/caucus-and-convention. The 2026 Convention will bein person at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA, on Friday, May 29th, and Saturday, May30th. Those interested in getting involved with the Watertown Democratic Committee shouldcontact watertowndems@gmail.com.