Government

State Rep. Lawn Thanks Governor, Legislature for Passing Bill to Provide Funding for Hospitals, Community Health Centers

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Massachusetts State House (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The following announcement was provided by the Healey-Driscoll Administration:

On Sept. 22, Governor Maura Healey signed An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects to ensure critical funding for hospitals and community health centers in Massachusetts while also reimbursing for services for uninsured and underinsured residents.  

While the state experiences significant demand for uncompensated care every year, hospitals and health centers are more acutely feeling strain this year due to more hospitals accepting patients on public payor insurance, growing expenses and increased use of services. In order to address the immediate shortfall, the Healey-Driscoll Administration and partners in the Legislature moved quickly to provide additional funding and relief for hospitals and community health centers.  

Key provisions of the bill include: 

$122 million for acute care hospitals serving a high percentage of low-income patients and under financial distress. 

$77 million for the Health Safety Net Trust Fund, to reimburse hospitals and community health centers for services provided to uninsured and underinsured individuals. 

An additional $35 million to community health centers and hospital licensed health centers, including $2.5 million earmarked for shared services. 

“Thank you to the Healey Administration, House and Senate leadership, and all of my colleagues for recognizing the urgency of delivering critical funding to support our hospitals and community health centers,” said Representative John Lawn (D-Watertown), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “The Commonwealth will not turn away patients, abandon providers or retreat from our responsibility to ensure that every resident has access to high-quality care.” 

“It is important to support our hospitals and community health centers so our residents get the access and quality of care they deserve across Massachusetts. This package is a step forward in maintaining our world-class health care ecosystem,” said Governor Maura Healey.

Government

State of the City Address Will Take Place on September 30

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City Council President Mark Sideris and City Manager George Proakis will provide their annual update about the City of Watertown at the end of September. See the details in the announcement sent out by the City of Watertown below. The Watertown State of the City address will be delivered by Watertown’s City Council President Mark Sideris and City Manager George Proakis on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber! Join in-person in the Watertown City Council Chamber in City Hall at 149 Main Street, watch live on WCA-TV, or watch on Comcast channel 9, or RCN channel 3, to hear the annual remarks about the City’s efforts from this past year and what to expect ahead in Watertown.

Government

Council Gives City Manager High Marks in Review, Also Some Suggestions

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Watertown City Manager George Proakis. City Manager George Proakis received a high rating from the City Council in his annual review for Fiscal Year 2025, though members of the Council had some constructive criticism, too. The results of the annual review were presented during the Sept. 9 City Council meeting. Each councilor rated Proakis on a scale of 1 to 5, with five being highest, said City Council President Mark Sideris.

Elections

LETTER: Outgoing School Committee Member Endorses Candidates in November’s Election

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To the Watertown Community, 

For the past almost 8 years now, I have had the privilege of serving as a School Committee member here in Watertown, most recently as the vice chair. Those past years have seen the start of perhaps the best superintendent in the state, Dr. Deanne Galdston, the turnover of all 5 principalships with amazing new leaders, and the rebuilding/full renovation of 4 out of 5 of Watertown’s school buildings. To put it lightly — we got a lot done. To this day, I remain incredibly proud of how hard the Watertown community pulled together during the pandemic, making our schools and our city a leader in safe, effective education through a perilous time. We leaned on and learned from each other, and so many people across the entire community pitched in their expertise and time to help guide us.

Development

City Looking at How to Create Public-Private Partnership to Redevelop Watertown Square Parking Lots

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An illustration from the Watertown Square Area Plan with the municipal parking lot behind CVS outlined in red. The City Council is considering redeveloping that area. City Councilors will be wearing a second hat when it comes to the redevelopment of the parking lots behind CVS, the Watertown Library and perhaps others in Watertown Square. On Sept. 2, consultants from Innes Land Strategies Group spoke to the Council about their role as a Redevelopment Authority, and some of the options for making the projects a reality.

Elections

LETTER: Lifelong Watertown Resident Joe Ganno Running for School Committee Candidate

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Joe Ganno

Providing a Voice for Families. Helping to Create a Shared Vision for the Future

Hi neighbors! I’m Joe Ganno, a lifelong Watertown resident, graduate of Watertown Public Schools, a father of two current Watertown students, and someone who deeply values fairness and community. I’m running for School Committee because I want to help develop the leaders of tomorrow today, by supporting every student, advocating for every family, and building on the progress the School Committee has made over the last few years. Our community and our children deserve leaders who listen, lead with integrity, and never stop trying to improve the services offered by the Watertown Public Schools.

Elections

LETTER: Meet Council-At-Large Candidate Theo Offei

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Theo Offei

I feel lucky to live in Watertown. Five years ago, my wife and I moved our family here, to her childhood home, looking for connection, community, and a place to put down roots. We found all of that in abundance. From the start, I felt welcomed into this diverse, close-knit, and deeply engaged city. I’m running for Councilor At-Large to build on Watertown’s positive trajectory and add a fresh, underrepresented perspective to its leadership.