Government

First Project Proposed in New Watertown Square Zoning, City Prepping for Square Redesign

By |

A five-unit residential building has been proposed to go at 75 Spring St. A multi-unit residential building project became the first project submitted in the new Watertown Square Area Plan zoning. Meanwhile, the City seeks consultants to assist with the redesign of the Square’s main intersection and parking lots behind CVS and the Library. The first project to be heard by the Planning Board in the new zoning is located at 75 Spring St., where a five-unit residential building is proposed to replace a vacant one-story industrial building. The project is not in the by-right area for residential buildings, said City Manager George Proakis, but is in the area in which the zoning recently changed.

Around Town

Resilient Watertown Eco Fest Will Have Info on Making Life Greener, Fun for the Whole Family

By |

Residents can learn more about ways to make their homes more sustainable and also enjoy activities for all ages at the City of Watertown’s first Resilient Watertown Eco Fest. Eco Fest will take place on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Commander’s Mansion, 440 Talcott Ave., Watertown, said Laurel Schwab, Watertown’s Sustainability Manager. “We wanted this to be a really family-friendly event, so things for people of all ages to learn about the City’s sustainability programs and learn about things that they can do in their own lives, all while also having fun,” Schwab said. The event is part of the City’s efforts to meet the goals of the Resilient Watertown Climate and Energy Plan. The plan covers a range of areas including energy, waste, transportation, natural resources such as plants and trees, social resilience, and emergency preparedness, Schwab said.

Entertainment

Actors’ Shakespeare Project Brings Vibrant “Midsummer Night’s Dream” to Watertown

By |

The cast of Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. Photo by Nile Scott Studios. Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” takes full advantage of the intimate confines of the Mosesian Center of the Arts to provide audience members with a 360 degree experience of music, lights, confetti, and mist to accompany the Bard’s ethereal play. “Midsummer” is the final play in Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s 2024-25 season, and the first in its new home. The theater company recently moved to the MCA in Watertown to be the company in residence.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Arrested for Having Child Pornography, Credit Card Scam Foiled, Drink Thrown at Food Delivery Driver

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. April 1: Police received a report of a disturbance between a food delivery man and a customer. A Warren Street resident ordered food on GrubHub and when the driver arrived he asked the resident for a confirmation code. The resident said he requested a contactless delivery, and did not have a code. The driver said the resident got upset and threw a fountain drink in his face.

Government

Watertown Will Add Human Services Department in FY26 Budget; City Faces Uncertain Financial Times

By |

Watertown City Hall

Watertown’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget includes the addition of the Human Services Department, and City Manager George Proakis said that the budget is “being produced at atime of significant uncertainty.” The proposed FY26 budget of $223.66 million is $7.08 million or 3.27 percent above the revised FY25 budget, Proakis said during Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The budget maintains the full funding of City pensions, stays on track for funding OPEB (other post employment benefits), supports stabilization funds for affordable housing, open space, and Watertown Square, and it maintains the City’s strategic reserves, Proakis said. The education budget increased by 3.5 percent, and the public safety budget (Police and Fire departments) are being funded at record levels. The major addition to the City government is the creation of Human Services Department as part of implementation of the Health and Human Services Plan.

Schools

Watertown School’s DEIB Director Aims to Create Spaces Where Folks Can Connect

By |

Now in her second year in the role of the Watertown Public School’s Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Dr. Ceronne Daly said she approaches her work with a goal to build connection not just between her and students, but between families. Her work incorporates programs that started before DEIB began, and she seeks to make it part of what students and families experience in the Watertown Schools. “We’re not doing DEI as an add-on,” Daly stresses. “This work is woven into our strategic plan. If we stopped calling it DEI tomorrow, we’d still be doing restorative practices, still fostering student voices, still building inclusive curriculum.”

Around Town

Volunteers at the Senior Center Fill 100s of Plastic Eggs for the Brigham House Easter Egg Hunt

By |

Volunteers filled plastic eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt at Brigham House. Pictured, from left, Mary Ann Di Luzio, Maria Monahan, Theresa Cameron, Jo Balboni, and Paula Mahoney. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Tables full of volunteers at the Senior Center filled pink and yellow plastic eggs with candy in preparation for an intergenerational event at one of Watertown’s assisted living homes. On Monday, about 30 volunteers filled 250 eggs, and with another round on Tuesday, said Arlene Smith, who organized the event. “I enjoy filling the eggs,” said Jo Balboni, a volunteer who has two granddaughters.

Sports

Nine Watertown Athletes Named Middlesex League Winter All-Stars, One Named MVP

By |

Watertown junior Will Carty was named Middlesex Freedom MVP, as well as being All-Conference for the 2024-25 boys basketball season. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Several Watertown High School athletes received League All-Star honors, including members of the boys and girls basketball teams, boys and girls wrestling, and boys ice hockey. See who made the list in the announcement from the Watertown Public Schools, below. The Middlesex League has announced its All-Star rosters for the 2024-2025 winter sports season, with nine Raiders athletes taking home All-Star or All-Conference honors across five sports. 

Boys Basketball:

Will Carty (Freedom Division MVP and Middlesex League All-Conference)

Aiden Didovic

Olivier Labossiere

Girls basketball:

Caroline Andrade

Adrianna Williams

Boys Ice Hockey:

Domenic Moynihan

Boys Wrestling: 

Brady Gleason (Middlesex League All-Conference)

Jimmy Strestha

Girls Wrestling:

Tessa Master (Middlesex League All-Conference)