Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/6/)
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.
Regis College and Watertown Public Schools announced the establishment of a strategic partnership that will support school employees with unique employee development programs, employee recruitment through access to Regis graduates, collaboration opportunities with Regis faculty on product development and research, discounted tuition rates, and use of the Regis campus facilities.
The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:
The Watertown Free Public Library’s Hatch Makerspace turns 10 this month! The Library invites you to join us in celebrating a decade of community creativity!
Charlie BreitroseThe Charles River.
The Watertown Cultural District, in partnership with the Watertown Free Public Library, is excited to announce a logo contest as one of its first official initiatives! The new logo will be featured on all Watertown Cultural District collateral and highlighted on the new WCD Website.
Residents packed the City Council Chamber to discuss removing the Winter Parking Ban. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Tuesday night’s discussion of whether to eliminate the Winter Parking Ban in Watertown turned into a larger discussion of parking permits, housing, and how the City communicates messages like snow emergencies.
The Boston Gold Kings, a semi-pro hockey team based in Watertown, will host Puck Cancer Night at John A. Ryan Arena on Feb. 8 at 7:35 p.m. See details below.
On Feb. 13, 2025, Get Lively Health and Fitness will host its annual Galentine’s Workout Party. This year the theme is 80s Prom Style.
The Watertown Unity Breakfast celebrated 25 years in 2025. The wood disc was used during the table discussions about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Principles of Nonviolence. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Nearly 500 people packed the Hellenic Center for the 25th annual Watertown Unity Breakfast, a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. During the event, a group that advocates for affordable housing was honored, and Watertown’s Police Chief made a statement about the WPD’s stance on enforcing federal immigration policy.
The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Regional Chamber:
The Charles River Regional Chamber is offering scholarship opportunities for up to four deserving students who either live in Needham, Newton, Watertown, or Wellesley and/or who attend school in Needham, Newton, Watertown, or Wellesley and who plan to attend an accredited post-secondary program, trade school, community college, college, or university full-time in the next academic year.
(The original letter was sent to the City Council)
Dear Councilors:
Does everyone understand that Watertown’s Traffic Rules and Orders (TROs) also assist in managing the number of vehicles in our neighborhoods? TROs are used to allow for safe, fair and equitable use of public ways by all Watertown inhabitants and visitors.