Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/22/)
311 Service Center staff — Constituant Service Director Laura Murray (right) and Constituent Services Representative Stephanie Owens — outside their office City Hall. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Inside a small office in the back corner of City Hall sits the heart of Watertown’s 311 Service Center. The two-woman operation fields calls, texts, emails, and other messages about potholes, people trying to reach a City employee, and occasionally to report something strange they have just witnessed.
Caution tape blocks off an area of sidewalk under construction in Coolidge Square in early June 2026. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Last week, looking out the window of her business, Artemis Yoga owner Liz Padula saw orange cones, yellow caution tape, gravel, and signs saying “no parking” and “sidewalk closed.”
A vision of what a new Watertown Middle School could look like created by Ai3 Architects and presented to the School Committee in October 2025.
The possibility of building a new Middle School in Watertown moved a step closer to becoming a reality at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The Council also approved funding for projects at City parks, the library, Police Station, and for Watertown’s Treaty Day celebration.
Watertown’s City Hall.
Proposed changes to Watertown’s Noise Ordinance will soon be discussed by the City Council, including changes of hours for lawn and garden maintenance.
The following information was provided by Storefront Art Projects:
Storefront Art Projects presents: “The Jane Gang: Drawing Meets Painting” featuring Jane Goldman and Friends. The exhibit runs May 2-30, 2026. A reception will be held on Saturday, May 2, 1-4 p.m.
The following announcement was provided by Historic New England and the Historical Society of Watertown:
Join Historic New England and local cultural organizations for an afternoon of history, culture, and connection. Explore the Browne House, enjoy family-friendly activities and lawn games, browse books at the mobile library, and meet your neighbors as we celebrate Watertown’s rich heritage.
Check out this week’s Watertown open houses.
Restaurants in Watertown will not longer be able to automatically include packets of plastic utensils with takeout or deliver orders. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
A new ordinance approved by the City Council prohibits restaurants from automatically including plastic utensils with takeout orders, however customers can request these items when they order or pick up their food.
To the Editor:
I am a lifelong Watertown resident and proud to call this community home. It is precisely because of that pride and that history here that I feel compelled to write — on behalf of myself and many of my neighbors along East Boylston Street and Mount Auburn Street — about the ongoing construction that has disrupted our daily lives for so long that many of us can no longer remember a time when it wasn’t happening.
Daniel Lander.
The following announcement came from the Landers for Senate Campaign:
Daniel Lander announced that his state senate campaign had been endorsed by a slate of elected and community leaders in Watertown. These leaders include elected school committee members, labor activists, and democratic party leaders. They are supporting Daniel’s vision for a more progressive Massachusetts that will take on the status quo and fight the affordability crisis while standing up to the Trump administration.
The following announcement was provided by Watertown Cable Access Television:
WCA-TV’s Youth Workshop is back this summer for children between the ages of 9 to 14. Our students will learn the basics of video production, from scriptwriting to editing. By the end of the Workshop, students will have produced a film.
Browne House
Do you happen to speak French or just love the sound of it? The French Theater Project is presenting Soie on Friday and Saturday evenings at the Mosesian, a fun way to start the weekend. (there will be English subtitles.) On Saturday there is going to be a garden party at the Browne House, the oldest house in Watertown. If you haven’t seen it, it is definitely worth a quick tour. Get in a game of crocket and check out the music while you’re there. Also on Saturday, it is free comic book day at the Comic Stop! Your free comics might seem even better after attending the tequila tasting at Godon’s in Arsenal Yards. They have an extensive selection of tequila, mescal and agave drinks to try. Finally, on Sunday there is a Cribbage tournament at the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, head there to have lots of fun pegging with others.