Government

Residents Express Concerns About Using Flock License Plate Reading Cameras in Watertown

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Members of the Watertown Police Department discussed different technology used by the WPD, including a proposal to use the Flock Safety cameras. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A room full of residents expressed their concerns about the Watertown Police Department’s proposed use of Flock Safety cameras in town, with the biggest issues about how the images collected by the license plate capturing system would be used outside Watertown and who would have access. As the debate over whether cameras should be used in the City, legislation at the state level could help reduce concerns. The Flock cameras were one of several technologies available to the Watertown Police discussed during the Tech Talk at Hosmer School on Wednesday night. While body cameras, tasers, an AI-assisted police bulletin network, and other equipment interested the 30 or so in attendance, the Flock cameras garnered the most attention in the meeting that lasted nearly three hours.

Around Town

Poet Laureate Speaks at Packed Unity Breakfast; Award Given to Group Monitoring Immigrant Enforcement

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Massachusetts Poet Laureate Regie Gibson recited several of his poems at the 2026 Unity Breakfast. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Massachusetts’ Poet Laureate inspired the crowd at the 26th annual Unity Breakfast. During the event on Monday, awards were presented to a group monitoring immigration enforcement and supporting immigrants rights in Watertown, and a man who has been a big part of keeping the Unity Breakfast going through the Pandemic. The Unity Award at the 2006 Watertown Unity Breakfast went to the Rapid Response Network, while the Sue Kuder Unsung Hero Award went to Chuck Dickinson. Poet Laureate

Before the presentation of the awards, Poet Laureate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Regie Gibson, recited several of his pieces related to Dr. King and the struggles of today.

Schools

Watertown Schools May Tap City’s Special Ed Fund, Add Athletics Fees to Make up Budget Deficit

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The Watertown Public Schools may ask the City to tap the Special Education Stabilization Fund created several years ago for a rainy day. The 2026-27 School Budget may be stormy, as the district faces a shortfall of $2.5 million as of Monday’s School Committee meeting. Other ways to make up shortfalls may include reinstating athletics and extracurricular fees. Superintendent Dede Galdston provided the budget update on Jan. 12, before the School Committee’s budget hearings officially start.

Government

Watertown Property Owners Were Not Overcharged on Property Taxes, Confusion Caused by Change in Software

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Watertown City Hall

Watertown residents were not overcharged on the CPA surcharge on their tax bills, City officials said, but bills in fiscal year 2025 looked different from other years, leading to the appearance that they were calculated differently. The issue came to the Administration’s attention when former City Councilor Angeline Kounelis sent a letter after she could not figure out why her FY2025 bill was different from previous and later years. It appeared that the CPA surcharge was applied to the entire property value, before the residential exemption was applied. It wasn’t a matter of new math, but rather new computer software, according to the explanation video produced by Watertown Community Engagement Specialist Tyler Cote. “It’s really just taking two different paths to the same end,” Cote said.

Schools

New Watertown High School Opening Pushed to September

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A rendering of the new Watertown High School from Ai3 Architects. After originally hoping to open Watertown’s state-of-the-art new high school after spring break, Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston said that the school will not host classes until the fall of 2026. The new school being built on the site of the old high school will be the first in the country to be net zero energy, meaning it will produce all the power needed to run the school, and meet the LEED Platinum green building standards. It will also have a new gym, auditorium, space for vocational programs such as engineering, childcare, carpentry, and potentially a culinary program. Galdston told the School Committee on Jan.

Business

Triangle Co Cafe Opens in New Building at 66 Galen Street

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Triangle Co cafe is now open in 66 Galen. (Elisif Photography)

The following announcement was provided by The Davis Companies:

The Davis Companies (Davis) and Boston Development Group (BDG) today announced the opening of a new community café and social spot, Triangle Co, on the ground floor of 66 Galen Street in Watertown, serving both building tenants and the broader Watertown community. With existing locations in Boston and Washington, D.C., Triangle Co is known for its specialty, in-house coffee, teas and made-to-order food offerings. Now, it will bring an experience to the heart of Watertown that is unique from other café locations around the city. Patrons will enjoy a soaring mid-century inspired 360-degree fireplace and café seating, creating an updated yet welcoming place to focus on remote work, meet with colleagues, or stop in to relax with a specialized food or drink offering.