Elections

State Senate, State Rep. Candidates Endorsed by Housing Group

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Abundant Housing Massachusetts announce the endorsement of a pair of candidates running to represent Watertown in the State Legislature. See information in the announcement from AHMA, below. Suffolk and Middlesex Senate District

Abundant Housing Massachusetts (AHMA) has announced its endorsement of Senator William Brownsberger for reelection to the State Senate representing the Suffolk and Middlesex district. Founded in 2020 to advocate for the creation of abundant housing for all, AHMA works to develop and support a network of grassroots, pro-housing groups and activists across Massachusetts. As part of its mission, AHMA surveys candidates in local races statewide and supports those who share its commitment to building more homes in their communities. 

“AHMA is proud to endorse Senator Brownsberger in his reelection campaign for State Senator,” said Jesse Kanson-Benanav, executive director of AHMA.

Government

City Council to Consider Changes to Noise Ordinance, Including New Allowed Hours for Lawn Work

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Watertown’s City Hall. Proposed changes to Watertown’s Noise Ordinance will soon be discussed by the City Council, including changes of hours for lawn and garden maintenance. In the latest in a series of efforts to update the City’s Noise Ordinance, the Council’s Committee on Rules and Ordinances held meetings in May and June to discuss changes. The Committee’s report was presented at the June 9 City Council Meeting by Councilor Nicole Gardner, chair of the Rules & Ordinances Committee. The Committee agreed to a statement of purpose for the Noise Ordinance, which said:

“Noise pollution is a serious hazard to public health, welfare, safety, and quality of life.

Government

Watertown’s State Reps. & State Senator Will Take Public’s Question at Town Hall Meeting

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Massachusetts State House (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The following information was provided by Will Brownsberger’s office:

Join Senator Will Brownsberger, Representative John Lawn, and Representative Steve Owens on Monday, June 15 at 7 p.m. for an informal “town hall” style discussion with Watertown residents. The free event is at the Community Link building in the Alexandria Center for Life Science at the Arsenal on the Charles (see directions below). Bring your questions and comments about legislation, policy, budget or anything else on your mind. The Senator and Representatives look forward to the discussion! When: Monday, June 15 from 7 to 9 p.m.Where: 305 Arsenal Street, Watertown (See GPS navigation note).

Elections

National Association of Government Employees Backs State Senate Candidate

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

Daniel Lander is proud to announce that his campaign was endorsed by the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE), a union representing tens of thousands of workers around the country, and more than twenty thousand employees in Massachusetts. The endorsementhighlights Lander’s commitment to fighting for working people. “NAGE is fighting every day to improve the lives of working people in Massachusetts. On every level of government and in the private sector, the union represents those who keep our state moving,” said Daniel Lander.

Government

State Rep. Steve Owens Hosting 2 Office Hours in Watertown

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State Rep. Steve Owens. State Rep. Steve Owens will host a pair of office hours in Watertown during the month of June. See details in the announcement provided by Owen’s office, below. Please come visit me at my next office hours:

Thursday, June 11 from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at Triangle Coffee Bar (66 Galen St, Watertown, MA 02472)

Monday, June 15 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Watertown Senior Center (31 Marshall St, Watertown, MA 02472)

Friday, June 26 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the Collins Branch of the Cambridge Public Library (64 Aberdeen  Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138)

The Statehouse is open to the public and my legislative office is in suite 167. The office phone number is (617) 722-2230.

Elections

State Senate Candidates Appearing at Public Forum

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The candidates for the Suffolk and Middlesex State Senate District — Will Brownsberger and Daniel Lander — will appear at a candidate forum in Boston. The district includes Watertown, Belmont and parts of Boston and Cambridge. See more information from the Boston Ward Committee Dems, below. Join the Boston Democratic Wards 4 and 5 Committees for a lively conversation with the candidates running for seats in the Mass Senate. The Forum will be a double-header, with candidates for the Suffolk & Middlesex State Senate race speaking from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. — and the candidates for the First Suffolk State Senate race speaking from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Confirmed candidates: Senator Nick Collins, Latoya Gayle, and Juwan Skeens (First Suffolk); Senator Will Brownsberger and Daniel Lander (Suffolk & Middlesex).

Government

Council President Sideris Will Host Town Hall Style Meeting

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City Council President Mark Sideris. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

City Council President Mark Sideris invites the public to his annual Councilor Meeting with the public on June 8. He will take questions from people in attendance. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Please join Council President Mark Sideris in the City Council Chamber of City Hall on Monday, June 8, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for his Annual Councilor Meeting.

Government

City Council Passes Budget, Now Await Legislature’s Decision on Tax Relief

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Watertown City and State officials appeared before a joint committee at the State House on Jan. 27, 2026. Pictured, from left, Steve Owens, George Proakis, John Lawn, Earl Smith, and Mark Sideris. The City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, but the City’s financial future could be darkened if the State does not approve a tax relief legislation submitted by the City. The Council unanimously approved the $226.21 million budget on Tuesday night without any changes from the one presented by City Manager George Proakis in April.