Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/11/)
The Wayside Multi-Service Center is located on North Beacon Street in Watertown. (Courtesy of Wayside)
The Wayside Multi-Service Center momentarily saw one-third of its budget disappear, with the removal of a federal grant. While the grant was restored within days, Sophia Suarez-Friedman, Program Director for Wayside Multi-Service Center, said it was both a stark reminder and a heartening response.
Watertown District B Councilor Lisa Feltner was elected president of the Mass. Municipal Councillors’ Association.(Photo by Krista Photography | Krista Guenin)
The City Council had a full agenda on Jan. 27, with votes to approve equipment purchases by the Department of Public Works, approval of contracts for multiple City unions, and a Watertown City Councilor was elected head of a statewide board. Also, the date for the Skip the Stuff Ordinance to be considered was announced.
Director Shana Gozansky (center, left) addresses (from left) Aislinn Brophy, Chloe McFarlane, Olivia Fenton, and Kaila Pelton-Flavin in rehearsal for Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s “Little Women.” (Photo courtesy of Actors’ Shakespeare Project)
A modern adaptation of “Little Women” will hit the stage at the Mosesian Center for the Arts from Feb. 5 to March 1. The Actors’ Shakespeare Project production is being directed by Watertown’s Shana Gozansky.
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.
City officials from Watertown joined state representatives on Beacon Hill to request an extension to a bill that allowed Watertown to shift more of the property tax burden from residential properties to commercial properties. The shift would allow a 50/50 split, instead of the current requirements of state law to have 61 percent of the tax levy coming from residential properties.
Watertown Business Coalition’s first event of 2026 focuses on rebranding your business or organization. The event at Atelier Sociale includes and opportunity to get your headshot taken by a professional photographer. See more details in the announcement from the WBC and the City’s Events Team, below.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department.
The Polar Plunge will return to Watertown on Feb. 7, 2026, and the Watertown Police seek to raise even more this year fro the Special Olympics of Massachusetts.
The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:
The Mosesian Center for the Arts brings its relaunched jazz series, Chords and Cocktails, into the new year with an evening of soulful storytelling and virtuosic musicianship. On Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026 at 7:30 p.m., acclaimed vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Paul Jost is joined by pianist and composer Jim Ridl for an intimate and compelling performance in the Charles Mosesian Theater.
Food collected from multiple locations across the City during the Community Food Drive in November and December.
The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
The City of Watertown would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the entire Watertown community – residents, businesses, volunteers, and more – for supporting the community food drive hosted through November and December 2025. Thanks to everyone’s efforts together, thousands of food items were collected to support our pantries, community fridge, and directly to families in need.
Triangle Co cafe is now open in 66 Galen. (Elisif Photography)
The following announcement was provided by The Davis Companies:
The Davis Companies (Davis) and Boston Development Group (BDG) today announced the opening of a new community café and social spot, Triangle Co, on the ground floor of 66 Galen Street in Watertown, serving both building tenants and the broader Watertown community.
People came out for a vigil for Renee Good, the woman killed in Minneapolis by an ICE agent. (Photo, copyright by Joshua Touster)
The following information was provided by Indivisible Progressive Watertown:
On Saturday morning, Jan. 10th, Indivisible Progressive Watertown hosted an emergency vigil in memory of Renee Nicole Good who was murdered by ICE agents in Minneapolis on Jan. 7th.
The Mosesian Center for the Arts will host the annual River of Light Lantern Parade — a celebration of light in the heart of the winter. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below.