Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/12/)
Caspian Persian Cuisine opened Jan. 1, 2026, on Bigelow Avenue. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
A new restaurant has joined the eating scene in East Watertown, with a familiar team behind it. Caspian Persian Cuisine opened at 72 Bigelow Ave. on Jan. 1, 2026 led by the former owners of Molana, the eatery that operated in Watertown Square for more than a quarter century.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department.
City Council President Mark Sideris gave his inaugural address on Jan. 2, 2026. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Watertown’s elected officials face some key decisions that will impact the future of the City, including the future of Watertown Square and whether to build a new Middle School, said City Council President Mark Sideris, who also talked about the keys to successful governing of the City.
City Councilor John Airasian, and School Committee member Lily Rayman-Read.
Two Watertown elected officials served their final meetings in December, and each was bid farewell by their colleagues. City Councilor At-Large John Airasian departs the Council after two terms (four years), and Lily Rayman-Read finished two-four year terms on the School Commmittee.
The Raiders hope to celebrate more State Tournament wins in 2025-26. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Basketball is back for Watertown High School (well, at Watertown Middle School for one more year). The season tips off for the boys and girls varsity teams on Friday when each face rival Belmont, as both look to return to the MIAA State Tournament.
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.
The project at 33 Mt. Auburn Street was approved by the Planning Board. The five story building has one floor of commercial and four of residential. (Torrington Properties)
The first by-right residential project, a five story mixed use building at 33 Mt. Auburn St., was approved by the Planning Board on Dec. 3. The development will have 40 residential units, and commercial space on the ground floor.
An exhibit featuring the artwork of abstract expressionism artist Arshile Gorky will open at the Armenian Museum of America in Watertown on Dec. 12. Gorky lived in Watertown for a time, arriving in 1920 as part of a third wave of Armenians immigrants looking to escape persecution. See more details in the announcement from the museum below.
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.
Watertown Field HockeyWatertown Field Hockey Coach Eileen Donahue celebrated win number 700 in 2021.
Watertown High School Field Hockey Coach Eileen Donahue received the Coach of the Year award from the National Federation of State High School Associations.
In the next few weeks the Watertown Police Department will have access to new equipment that can capture images of license plates of passing cars. The technology is intended to help with criminal investigations, but some have expressed concerns about how it will be used, including the ACLU of Massachusetts.
The Mt. Auburn Street Project includes line striping and tree removal from Dec. 9-12 and there will be lane shifts for motorists and parking restrictions in the areas of the work. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below.