Around Town
Fire Department Looking to Hire Paramedics to Run 2 Ambulances; Keep Hydrants Snow Free
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The Watertown Fire Department received funding this year to run two ambulances, and now the challenge is to hire enough paramedics to run both.
UPDATE: Vehicle Strikes Pole on Main Street, Knocks Out Power in Area – Repairs to Take Until After 9 p.m.
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A pole struck by a vehicle lies on top of power lines on Main Street. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
A vehicle struck a utility pole on Main Street, snapping it in half and cutting off power for several hundred customers on Monday around noon.
Watertown Tax Relief Legislation Approved by House, Moves to Senate
Watertown City and State officials appeared before a joint committee at the State House on Jan. 27, 2026, to discuss the City’s Home Rule Petition. Pictured, from left, Steve Owens, George Proakis, John Lawn, Earl Smith, and Mark Sideris.
The City of Watertown’s effort to prevent a tax hike for residential property owners, which could be as high as 18%, cleared a major hurdle when it was approved the the House of Representatives on Beacon Hill.
Water & Sewer Rates Increasing More Than Expected Due to Error in Calculations
Watertown residents will see an increase of 4.5% in both the water and sewer rates for the fiscal year that began on July 1, 2026, which is slightly higher than forecasted a year ago. However, the future increase could be significantly higher than projected due in part to an error made calculating future year revenues.
Possible Purchase of Police Drone and Guidelines for Use Discussed by Council Committee
The Watertown Police Department is considering purchasing a drone like this one made by Paladin Drones (Photo from Paladin)
An automated drone is one of the new technologies being considered by the Watertown Police Department. On July 9, the City Council’s Public Safety Committee held a hearing to ask questions and hear from the public about the possible use of a drone.
More Headlines
A Pair of World Cup Final Watch Parties in Watertown
Wada Hoppah Charles River Ferry Boat Has Hit the Water — See a Video and Photos
City Council Moving Out of City Hall for July 14 Meeting
Letters
LETTER: What Has City Council Done to Save Post Office?
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Greetings Councilors:
Wake up residents of Watertown!!! If you want to accept the words of a developer; maybe I can share some out-of-circulation drachmas.
Around Town
Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Revolution With Historical Tour of Watertown
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Edmund Fowle House, home of the Historical Society of Watertown.
The Historical Society of Watertown will host a walking tour focused on Watertown During the Revolution on May 24 and June 7. See more details in the announcement from the Historical Society, below.
Police/Fire
Police Log: Man Pulls Taser on Tow Truck Driver, Checks Intercepted and Altered
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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department.
Around Town
Mount Auburn Cemetery Becomes First Cemetery in the U.S. to Earn AGZA Green Zone Certification
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The following announcement was provided by Mount Auburn Cemetery:
Mount Auburn Cemetery, the American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA), and Quiet Communities announced that Mount Auburn has become the first cemetery in the United States to earn AGZA Green Zone® Certification, cutting carbon emissions by 16 tons annually.
Schools
College Students from Watertown Make Honor Roll, Graduate & Present Research Projects
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Students from Watertown earned honors at Emerson College and SNHU; graduated from Regis College; and students presented their research projects.
Government
Veterans Services Being Run by Human Services Director as City Seeks to Fill Position
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Watertown veterans presented the colors during the 2025 Memorial Day Ceremony. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Watertown currently lacks a dedicated veterans services officer, but while the City works to fill the opening the Director of Human Services has taken on most of that role.
Around Town
Creating Community, One Micro-Forest at a Time
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The following announcement was provided by Trees for Watertown:
Come to a FREE Workshop on Saturday May 23 at the Watertown Free Public Library, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.