Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/)
Watertown Recreation Department’s Winter 2026 Programs are here! See details from the Recreation Department, below. Join us for the start of the new year with a full slate of youth and adult programming! Please see below: a snapshot of programs that are happening this winter. Here are some programs you might be interested in this winter!
Nikola Atanasov
Nikola Atanasov, age 77, passed away at Massachusetts General Hospital on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. He was the beloved husband of Dragica “Carol” (Lesar) Atanasov, with whom he had shared over 52 wonderful years of marriage. Born in Nov Dojran, Macedonia on February 24, 1948, he was one of eight children to the late George and Magda (Deleva) Atanasov. Nick spent his younger years growing up in Macedonia, and in 1973 he moved to America, but not before he met the love of his life, Carol. The two met when they were both working in Germany, and it didn’t take much time at all for them to fall in love and decide to start building a life together. The first of their two children was born abroad, and when they had everything ready in the states the whole family settled down in Boston. Nick worked at a breakfast and lunch spot in Boston for many years while at the same time working alongside a master plumber in the area. He learned the tricks of the trade and harnessed his skills, and after several years of training branched off and started his own plumbing business. He owned his business, Nick and Sons Plumbing and Heating for over 40 years, and ran it with a tremendous amount of heart. Nick was deeply compassionate and humble, and always felt for his clients who needed his services during difficult times. He was the type of person who would do some work without pay, strictly in the hopes of being able to help someone who might need it.
Nick’s dedication to his business and work life paled in comparison to his dedication to his family. As a husband, father, and later grandfather, he was truly one of the best. Raising his sons alongside his loving wife was the greatest time of his life, until his grandchildren came along. From the moment they were born, Nick’s entire world changed, and there was no length he wouldn’t go for them.
Expect lane shifts and parking restrictions along the stretches of Mt. Auburn Street this week as construction crews work on drainage installation dig test pits. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Drainage Installation
Crews will perform drainage installation on Mount Auburn Street between Langdon Avenue and Winthrop Street. Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts
During this work, you can expect temporary lane shifts and possibly lane closures, but one travel lane in each direction will be maintained on Mount Auburn Street.
Arsenal Yards is partnering with Chabad Watertown to put on the fourth annual Chanukah Celebration on Monday, Dec. 15. See details in the announcement from Arsenal Yards. In partnership with Chabad Watertown, please join us for our fourth annual public menorah lighting ceremony and celebration! Featuring a live fire dance performance, crafts, a menorah lighting ceremony, live music, complimentary treats, an interactive light display from Brighter Ignited and more!
The following announcement was provided by Russell Cooperative Preschool:
For 50 years, Russell Cooperative Preschool has been a place where young children learn through play, explore nature, and experience the joy of belonging to a caring community. This holiday season, Russell invites current families, alumni, neighbors, and the wider Watertown community to support that mission by participating in its annual Winter Gala Silent Auction, open now through Saturday, December 13th at 8 p.m.
This year’s auction showcases a wide range of local offerings, creative experiences, and one-of-a-kind items donated by current families and area businesses. Highlights include a month of chef-prepared meals, a cozy winter gift basket, a private yoga session, passes to local play spaces, and gift certificates to popular Watertown eateries. Each item reflects the spirit of generosity and connection that has long defined the Russell community. At Russell, children build confidence, independence, and curiosity through hands-on exploration, whether they are mixing paints, climbing snowbanks, planting seeds in the garden or creating imaginative worlds with their friends.
A study of the historic buildings in the area south of the Charles River was recently conducted by the City of Watertown. The report is intended to guide future historic preservation efforts in that area of town. The full report can now be viewed. The final report includes a list of buildings, as well as blocks of homes and buildings that have the potential for National Register eligibility. Individually eligible properties were: Casey Playground, 0 Watertown Street; Dalby Mill, 101-103 Morse Street; Adams-Keith Block, 129-147 Morse Street; Parker School, 124 Watertown Street; and Hibernian Hall, 153 Watertown Street.
A rendering of the affordable Willow Park affordable housing complex. Funding for a home for adults with special needs, to help build a 138 unit affordable housing complex, and to replace the elevator at a historic home owned by the City of Watertown were approved by the City Council Tuesday night. The three projects came recommended from the Community Preservation Committee. The funds come from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) surcharge on Watertown properties, which are to be spent in three areas: affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space/outdoor recreation. For each area, 10 percent of the funds collected go into a reserve.
The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:
The City of Watertown is updating its FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plan to assess its vulnerability to natural hazards and identify strategies to increase the resilience of our community, infrastructure, and natural resources. Please join the upcoming presentation to the Committee on Public Works at their meeting on Dec. 15, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Watertown City Hall (149 Main Street), or by watching online. See the agenda for the meeting details. Also, please take the community survey associated with this project to help inform and support the project team through this process! More information about the info can be found here https://watertownma.portal.civicclerk.com/event/8203/files/agenda/12425
A 71 bus, one of the routes that will run more often beginning in December 2025. Two bus lines in Watertown will have upgraded service beginning Dec. 14, 2025, the MBTA announced. The 71 and 73 buses are scheduled to run every 15 minutes. See more in the following announcement from the MBTA.