Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/8/)
City Councilor John Airasian, and School Committee member Lily Rayman-Read.
Two Watertown elected officials served their final meetings in December, and each was bid farewell by their colleagues. City Councilor At-Large John Airasian departs the Council after two terms (four years), and Lily Rayman-Read finished two-four year terms on the School Commmittee.
Lyrical Faith was selected as the Mosesian Center for the Arts’ Ignite Fellow, one of the first group of Artists in Residence.
The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:
The Mosesian Center for the Arts is pleased to announce the selected artists for its 2026 Artist-in-Residence Program, including the inaugural Ignite Fellow and the newly created Emerging Artist at Mosesian Arts award. This cohort of artists will be in residence during the Winter and Spring 2026 sessions, bringing a wide range of creative practices to MCA’s studios and engaging the community through public programs and events.
The Winter Parking Ban will be in effect starting on January 1, 2026. The City has options for off-street parking in municipal owned lots. See information provided by the City of Watertown, below.
Cris Patvakanian wrote “In the Shadow of Mount Khustup” after visiting Armenia in 2023.
A trip to his homeland of Armenian in 2023 changed Cris Patvakanian’s life, and the experience became the inspiration for his first novel.
The Watertown Fire Department is hiring firefighter-paramedics, and is starting alternative pathways to be hired. Find out more at an upcoming information session. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below.
Expect lane shifts and parking restrictions along the stretches of Mt. Auburn Street this week as construction crews work on drainage installation dig test pits. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below.
Three condos, a townhouse, and a three-family home were sold this week.
The lights are back on at the Watertown Middle School Gymnasium and the 2025-26 Basketball Season is underway. While Boys Hoops travelled to Belmont to open their campaign, the Girls opened at home to begin the the third and final interim season of hoops at the Middle School before beginning play at the new High School Gym in December of 2026. Coach Mike Tempesta, in his third year at the helm, and his young and small (as in only ten dressed) squad got off to a good start with a 63-54 win over the cross-town rival Marauders.
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.
For the first time, the Watertown Public Schools’ Special Education program has failed to earn a grade of “Meets Requirements” from state officials. The School Committee heard a report about the shortfalls and possible solutions at its Dec. 8 meeting.
Arsenal Yards is partnering with Chabad Watertown to put on the fourth annual Chanukah Celebration on Monday, Dec. 15. See details in the announcement from Arsenal Yards.
Massachusetts State House (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
State Sen. Will Brownsberger seeks residents interested in learning about the functions of the Massachusetts State Legislature during the upcoming Citizens’ Legislative Seminar at the State House. See more info provided by Brownsberger’s office, below.