Around Town

Watertown’s Wayside Multi-Service Center Had a Scare with Threatened Cut of Federal Grant

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The Wayside Multi-Service Center is located on North Beacon Street in Watertown. (Courtesy of Wayside)

The Wayside Multi-Service Center momentarily saw one-third of its budget disappear, with the removal of a federal grant. While the grant was restored within days, Sophia Suarez-Friedman, Program Director for Wayside Multi-Service Center, said it was both a stark reminder and a heartening response. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) grant accounts for a large portion of the Wayside’s program in Watertown. It is used to support youth with trauma in Watertown and Waltham, and their families.

Government

Council Roundup: Councilor Elected Head of Statewide Board, DPW Equipment Funded, Contracts Approved

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Watertown District B Councilor Lisa Feltner was elected president of the Mass. Municipal Councillors’ Association.(Photo by Krista Photography | Krista Guenin)

The City Council had a full agenda on Jan. 27, with votes to approve equipment purchases by the Department of Public Works, approval of contracts for multiple City unions, and a Watertown City Councilor was elected head of a statewide board. Also, the date for the Skip the Stuff Ordinance to be considered was announced. At the meeting, City Manager George Proakis announced that the City will be cancelling its contract with Flock Safety for license plate reading cameras.

Entertainment

Watertown’s Shana Gozansky Directing “Little Women” at the Mosesian Center for the Arts

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Director Shana Gozansky (center, left) addresses (from left) Aislinn Brophy, Chloe McFarlane, Olivia Fenton, and Kaila Pelton-Flavin in rehearsal for Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s “Little Women.” (Photo courtesy of Actors’ Shakespeare Project)

A modern adaptation of “Little Women” will hit the stage at the Mosesian Center for the Arts from Feb. 5 to March 1. The Actors’ Shakespeare Project production is being directed by Watertown’s Shana Gozansky. Gozansky makes her debut with Actors’ Shakespeare Project (ASP) directing playwright Kate Hamill’s adaptation of the novel by Louisa May Alcott.

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.

Business

Mainstay Eatery in Watertown Square Closing After 27 Years

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Longtime dining destination, Not Your Average Joe’s, will be closing after more than a quarter century in Watertown Square. The last day for the Watertown location is Feb. 11, 2026, according to Sara Murtagh, Regional Director of Operations for Not Your Average Joe’s. “This is very sad for us as this is our oldest NYAJoe’s,” Murtagh said. “We have loved being a part of this community and have a lot of amazing memories.”

Development

Retiring Planning Director Looks Back on His 17 Years in Watertown

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Steve Magoon

Steve Magoon has seen the transformation of large sections of Watertown, and played a major role in the creation of some of the City’s most important planning documents during his time working for the City. Magoon will retire at the end of January after more than 17 years as director of the Department of Community Development and Planning. Magoon arrived in Watertown after working for four years in Gloucester, his first job in Massachusetts. His career began in his home state of Maryland, where he rose up to become the planning director in Charles County. He still remembers his first impression of Watertown.

Government

Watertown Cancelling Contract for Flock License Plate Reading Cameras

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Watertown will cancel the contract with Flock Safety to install license plate reading cameras in the City, and City Manager George Proakis told the City Council he wants to continue to have discussions about when it is appropriate for the Watertown Police to use technology in its investigations. The City signed a contract last year with Flock with plans to install eight cameras. Proakis announced the end of the contract at the Jan. 27 City Council meeting, but said he would like the City Council to discuss use of technology by the Watertown Police Department. The cameras became a topic of discussion in recent months as more communities install them, and others have removed them due to concerns about how the data collected by the cameras is being used, and who has access to it.