Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/21/)
Rebuilding Watertown Middle School is the largest addition to Watertown’s five-year capital plan, and funding the $84 million project will require moving other projects to future years. The plan also includes projects that occur year after year, such as street and sidewalk repairs.
A screenshot of the City of Watertown’s website.
The City of Watertown received a Municipal Website Award at the recent Massachusetts Municipal Association conference.
Watertown City Hall
Following the multi-hour meeting about Watertown’s Winter Parking ban, City Manager George Proakis updated the City Council about next steps and urged residents to sign up for the City’s alert system. Also, Council President Mark Sideris requested a review of Watertown’s Demolition Delay Ordinance, and Proakis provided information on Federal grants received by the City.
The Watertown City Council Newsletter for the meeting on Jan. 28, 2025 was provided by the City Council.
Residents can view the recording of the January 28th meeting here.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Council President Mark Sideris began by reading a proclamation honoring Ingrid Marchesano on her retirement after over forty years of dedicated service to Watertown. You can read the full proclamation here. Ingrid has also served Watertown on several committees including the Watertown Arsenal Yards Development Committee, the original Public Arts and Culture Committee, and numerous other city efforts. Ingrid shared that she continues to reside in Watertown and looks forward to continuing to see the people she has come to know over the course of her career.
The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Chamber:
The Charles River Regional Chamber invites the community to the first annual Watertown Night, a special evening bringing together business owners, professionals, civic leaders, and community members. The event will take place on Thursday, Jan. 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Olespana Whiskey and Tapas Bar on Mt. Auburn Street.
James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net.
Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s City Hall.
Property taxes will rise nearly 6 percent over last year, but will still be lower than they were in Fiscal Year 2022 (2021-22).
The Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown. (Courtesy Photo)
The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts Board:
The Mosesian Center for the Arts (MCA) received an off-cycle, emergency stabilization grant from the Watertown Community Foundation to offset the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Wednesday, the Charles River Chamber hosted an event focused on economic development in the region, and heard from the Mass. Taxpayers Foundation, as well as hosting two panels: one of young professionals and another with the planning directors from the Chamber’s four communities — including Watertown’s Steve Magoon.
By Linda ScottWatertown Resident
A Tale of Two Streets
When Charles Dickens wrote his famous novel, A Tale of Two Cities, his intent was to highlight societal injustices, and with great effect he showed us the dichotomy between living very well and simply surviving.
In Watertown, in many ways the seeds of rancor and discontent are being sown … no guillotines involved!
Follow me on this journey, if you will. I’m calling this “A Tale of Two Streets.”
More than a dozen open houses in Watertown this weekend.
Watertown’s State Champion Field Hockey Team was honored by the School Committee. (Courtesy of Watertown Field Hockey)
Watertown School Committee Chair Kendra Foley provided a round up of the most recent School Committee meeting. See what happened below.
There has been much to celebrate over the last month at our Watertown School Committee meetings.