Around Town

Sacrifices of Veterans Remembered at Memorial Day Ceremony; Importance of Veterans Benefits Discussed

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Members of Watertown Veterans organizations hold the flags during the 2026 Memorial Day Ceremony at Victory Field. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

For former Marine George McMasters Memorial Day gives him mixed feelings, and is a time when he can remember his compatriots who were lost in battle. The Watertown resident spoke during the Memorial Day Ceremony at Victory Field, held after Monday’s Memorial Day Parade. “I have mixed feelings. It’s kind of a sad day for me,” McMaster said.

Around Town

Community Food Drive Aims to Help Restock Watertown’s Food Pantries for Summertime Need

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation will host their annual city-wide food drive during Watertown Helps Out from May 26 – June 9, in collaboration with the City of Watertown. This year’s food drive is sponsored by ButcherBox, the Watertown based direct-to-consumer meat and seafood brand. “The rising cost of food and changes to federal benefit eligibility have made local food access programs, especially Watertown’s food pantries, more important than ever for many residents. Food donations tend to slow down over the summer compared to the holiday season, so extra community support is especially meaningful during this time,” said Jenna Bancroft, the City of Watertown’s Human Services Director. This summer food drive will collect kid-friendly foods and snacks, in addition to important non- perishables and hygiene supplies to keep kids and families healthy all summer-long.

Around Town

See Who Will March in Watertown’s Memorial Day Parade, the Parade Route

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Watertown veterans marched in the 2024 Memorial Day Parade. (Photo by Natalie Nigito Photography)

The 2026 Memorial Day Parade, featuring Watertown veterans, youth sports, and other community groups, will be held on Monday, May 25, beginning at noon. A ceremony with Watertown’s veterans group will take place at the end of the parade. Each year, Watertown pays tribute to current and past veterans during the Memorial Day Parade. The procession begins at noon.

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. Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson also discussed a fire during the winter when a hydrant had to be shoveled out so that multiple hoses could be used to fight the fire. In 2025, the City Council approved funding for eight more paramedics so that a second ambulance could be run by the Watertown Fire Department 24/7. City Manager George Proakis said he has been working with Nicholson, the Human Resources Office to try to get enough staff on board, and opened an alternative pathway for hiring under Civil Service. Nicholson said the Fire Department has made some hires, but still have a couple of openings, and more are expected over the summer.

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. May 11: Toyota of Watertown reported a check fraud case. The dealership had written a check for $20,491 to Sullivan Tire on May 5, and sometime between then and May 8 the check was intercepted and the “pay to” line was changed. Police are investigating. May 11: Target security stopped a man and a woman who took $210 in clothing and health and beauty items. The two were summoned to Waltham District Court on a charge of larceny under $1,200.

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. Jenna Bancroft, the director of the Human Services Department, has been working to get veterans their benefits, and is helping to plan the Memorial Day Parade and related events, she told the City Council at the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget hearing on May 6. In Fiscal Year 2026, the current year, the Veterans Services Department merged into the newly created Human Services Department, said City Manager George Proakis. The City hired Jay Terminiello in October 2025, succeeding longtime VSO Patrick George.

Around Town

Porchfest 2026: People Pour Into the Streets of Watertown to Catch More than 200 Bands

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Populace closed out the day at a venue on Main Street during 2026 Watertown Porchfest. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The combination of free concerts, the a warm spring day, and the hopes of seeing a Grammy nominated singer made Watertown Porchfest 2026 a huge community celebration. The third annual event boasted more than 200 performances at over 80 locations around Watertown on Saturday, May 16. Some of the venues were institutions — such as the Watertown Free Public Library, First Parish Church, and Gore Place — as well as multiple businesses. Watertown Middle School students held a bake sale during Watertown Porchfest.

Police/Fire

Incident in East Watertown Cemetery “Not Criminal in Nature”

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The gate to the Catholic Mount Auburn Cemetery was blocked by police tape Friday as law enforcement investigated an incident (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

An incident that drew dozens of police from multiple agencies was “not criminal in nature,” according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s office. Watertown News contacted Watertown Police and Massachusetts State Police after residents reported seeing police activity in the area of the Catholic Mount Auburn Cemetery on Friday. Neighbors also said they heard what might have been a gunshot or gunshots. Inquiries to law enforcement agencies were referred to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. Spokeswoman Meghan Kelly did not provide details, but said: “The incident was not criminal in nature, there is no foul play suspected and no public safety risk.”