Around Town
Watertown Families are Invited to a Free Winter Tea Party
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Families with young children in Watertown are invited to a tea hosted by Brigham House. See details in the announcement below.
City Starting Detailed Designs for Watertown Square Intersection, Revitalization of Commercial Area
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The future of Watertown Square will be designed in 2026 with plans for major changes to the intersection as well as the commercial district in and around the Square. (Photo by City of Watertown)
More than a year after the zoning for Watertown Square was approved, City officials are preparing to begin the creation of two detailed plans to revitalize the Watertown Square commercial area, and to redesign the intersection. The project includes changes gto the roadway and intersection, as well as building on the parking lots in the Square.
In 2nd Year, Civics Academy Will Teach Residents Even More About How Watertown’s Government Works
Watertown’s first Civics Academy drew such good reviews that in its second year it will be even longer so that participants can learn even more about how local government works and city departments function.
Watertown Remains a Bright Spot for Life Science, Chamber to Host Forum on the Industry
Life science clusters in Watertown in 2025. The image appears in Watertown Bio’s 2025 Life Science Industry Report.
The biotech industry, while slowed, still has some life in Watertown, according to a recently published study. The City boasts the third most life science firms of any community in Massachusetts, the fourth most venture capital investmentd, and 20 new firms came to town in 2025.
City Manager Clarifies Watertown’s Role in Immigration Enforcement
Questions about immigration enforcement in Watertown are something that City Manager George Proakis has heard a lot recently, and he provided some information about the role of the Watertown Police and what they can and cannot do when federal agents are operating in town.
More Headlines
Watertown Wrestler Repeats as Section Champ, Several Prepping for State Meet
Police Log: Man Arrested for Using Counterfeit Notes, 2 Stolen Cars Reported
City Issued Parking Tickets & Shoveling Warnings After January Snowstorm; Winter Parking Ban May be Extended
Letters
OP-ED: Reasons Why Council Should Pass a Nuclear Disarmament Resolution
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by Jeanne TrubekMember of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the EnvironmentPeace and Common Security working group
On Tuesday, February 10, the city council will be requested to support a Back From the Brink resolution asking our U.S. government to work toward world nuclear disarmament. This request comes from a citizen petition initiative.
Government
Watertown City Officials Join State Reps. on Beacon Hill to Ask for Residential Tax Relief
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Watertown City and State officials appeared before a joint committee at the State House on Jan. 27, 2026. Pictured, from left, Steve Owens, George Proakis, John Lawn, Earl Smith, and Mark Sideris.
City officials from Watertown joined state representatives on Beacon Hill to request an extension to a bill that allowed Watertown to shift more of the property tax burden from residential properties to commercial properties. The shift would allow a 50/50 split, instead of the current requirements of state law to have 61 percent of the tax levy coming from residential properties.
Obituaries
OBIT: James “Jim” Brennan Jr., 63, Computer Wizard & Educator
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Jim Brennan
A Mass of Christian Burial for James “Jim” Joseph Brennan, Jr. of Watertown will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, 39 Sixth Street, East Cambridge.
Sports
JIM’S VIEW: Watertown Boys Basketball Enjoys A One-Sided Win
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Raiders Basketball enjoyed a fun night on the hardwood with a 76-43 rout of the CASH (Community Academy of Health & Science) Chargers Monday night. The first of two games (Feb. 9 @ CASH) with the non-league opponent from Dorchester (and a member of the Boston City League), was won early as the Raiders raced out to a 23-10 lead after one quarter.
Entertainment
Monthly Watertown Pride Mid-Season Events at Ritcey East
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Screenshot
Ritcey East will host Watertown Pride Mid-Season Events each month leading up to Watertown Pride 2026 in June. See details in the announcement from the Watertown Pride Committee, below.
Letters
LETTER: Housing Production — A Review of Small, but Industrious Watertown (Past, Present and Future)
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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident
We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us. – Winston Churchill
This is a follow-up to “Where is your Neighborhood Going? (Parts One and Two)”
As I read the responses to the above letters in Watertown News, I decided that maybe an overview of recent housing development in Watertown was in order. So here goes. Watertown’s Bona Fides
Watertown has proven again and again that we are a thoughtful, generous community.
Sports
JIM’S VIEW: Boys Hockey Plays Top-10 Div. 2 Burlington Tough
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Rock. Paper. Scissors. Everyone knows this classic game. The rules can’t be much simpler. Rock beats scissors. Scissors beats paper. Paper beats rock. Why the review? I’ve come up with a hockey version. Speed. Strength (of skating, shooting & stickhandling). Size. Speed beats “strength.” Size beats (or slows down) speed.