Around Town

Watertown Group Will be Removing Invasive Plants That Harm Monarch Butterflies

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Charlie BreitroseA monarch butterfly

The following information was provided by Watertown Community Gardens:

Do you have Black Swallow Wort (BSW) on your property? Are you interested in removing and learning more about BSW? Come join us on June 22, 2025, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.! One of the many actions as part of the 2025 Mayors’ Monarch Pledge is to continue invasive species removal efforts that will support the re-establishment of native habitat for Monarch butterflies and other pollinators. The invasive plant of interest is the Black Swallow-Wort (BSW), which is poisoning Monarch caterpillars across Watertown.

Around Town

Discover Coolidge Square in the June WBC Walk N Talk

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Discover Coolidge Square in the next Watertown Walk N Talk hosted by the Watertown Business Coalition and Live Well Watertown. See more details in the announcement provided by the WBC below. The June Walk N Talk will visit Coolidge Square Businesses and see some of the gems that make Coolidge Square a destination. 

Stay tuned for information about which businesses we will visit and where it will begin. The Walk N Talk, co-sponsored with Live Well Watertown, provides an opportunity to engage with fellow community members, support local Watertown businesses and participate in physical activity. Whether you’re looking to relax, network, or enjoy the outdoors, these walks offer a perfect blend of recreation and community engagement.

Around Town

Water Customers Can Access City’s Water Meter Customer Portal

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Residents can now check on their water usage on the City’s Water Meter Customer Portal. See more details provided by the City of Watertown below. Watertown’s Water Meter Customer Portal is LIVE! Residents can now track their water usage every day on the customer portal, where you can set usage thresholds and receive alerts.All you need to sign-up is your email address, water meter account number (which can be found on your most recent water bill), and a cell phone number if you wish to receive alerts (optional)! Visit the Water Meters page to learn more and sign-up. This portal is accessible for those with the new smart water meters that were installed as part of the City’s water meter replacement project, which began in 2023.Sign up today with your water account info to easily stay on top of your water usage.For questions about the new portal, your water meter account number, or how to sign-up, please call 311 in Watertown, or 617-715-8660.

Around Town

DCR Opening Dealtry Pool Soon, Offering Learn to Swim Program

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The DCR’s Dealtry Pool in Watertown. The Dealtry Pool on Pleasant Street in Watertown will be opening for the season on June 21. More information about pool hours, the learn to swim program and lifeguard openings can be seen below. Pool Opening

The City of Watertown sent out social media posts saying that, according to the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) website, the Dealtry Memorial Swimming Pool in Watertown will be open from Saturday, June 21, 2025 – Sunday, August 17, 2025, between 11:15 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.

If you have questions about the pool, please contact the DCR Community Relations team at mass.parks@mass.gov or 617-626-4973. Learn to Swim, Life Guard Openings

The DCR sent out the following information:

As part of the agency’s ongoing work to promote water safety at state beaches and pools, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation (DCR) is once again offering free swim lessons to children at DCR pools across the state through its Learn to Swim program.

Around Town

Film “Tragic Awakening” Being Screened by Jewish Watertown Action Network

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The following announcement was provided by the Jewish Watertown Action Network:

The Jewish Watertown Action Network invites you to attend a showing of the film Tragic Awakening on Tuesday June 24 at 7 p.m. in the Watertown Savings Bank Room at the Watertown Free Public Library. Given the recent murder of a Jewish/Israeli couple in Washington DC and the attempted murder of several Jewish community members in Boulder, reflecting on anti-Semitism in our own community becomes more urgent. Tragic Awakening examines anti-Semitism since October 7, 2023 as well as its historical roots and how it morphs over time. 

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged here or via the QR code on the flyer. Questions or interested in joining our list? Email JWAN02472@gmail.com.

Around Town

More Drainage Work on Mt. Auburn Street This Week

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Construction crews will continue installation on drainage on Mt. Auburn Street during the week of June 16. See more information in the announcement from the City of Watertown below. Beginning Monday, June 16, 2025, Newport Construction will resume drainage installation on Mount Auburn Street between Kimball Road and Lloyd Road. 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 remain on Mount Auburn Street.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Awards Inaugural Community Engagement Grants

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The recently unveiled Arshile Gorky mural received two years of funding from the Watertown Community Foundation. (Photo by WCF)

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation awarded $53,185 to support 21 programs in the inaugural cycle of the Community Engagement Grant Program. Funded programs will strengthen community connections, increase access to programs and services, and foster intercultural communication and understanding in Watertown. An additional $15,000 was awarded to MetroWest Collaborative Development and Watertown Cable Access TV for operational support in the final grant cycle of the Institutional Grant Program. “This first call for Community Engagement grants was extremely competitive, and the program ideas were top-notch,” said Mary Ann Mulligan, Board Co-President and Grants Committee Chair.

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Watertown Business Coalition Hosting Summer Kickoff at Donohue’s

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Donohue’sDonohue’s Bar & Grill opened 20 years ago, and has grown and changed over that time. The Watertown Business Coalition will host an after hours networking event at the patio at Donohue’s on Wednesday, June 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The WBC sent out the following information:

The Watertown Business Coalition invites you to the annual Summer Kick Off on the patio at Donohue’s Bar & Grill. 

Attendance is FREE and is open to Watertown Residents, local businesses & employers as well as those who come to work in Watertown for the day.  We’d love to see you! RSVP here