Around Town

City Manager Talks About Life Science Sector, Federal Funding, Future of Watertown Square & More in His City Update

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Watertown City Manager George Proakis covered a variety of topics in his City Update on Tuesday. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown’s economic prospects remain promising, despite a downturn in life sciences and uncertainty in future funds from Washington, City Manager George Proakis said during his City Update at an event hosted by the Watertown Business Coalition on Tuesday. During the event at the Hampton Inn & Suites, he also spoke about the possible reuse of the former Police Station property, how the new Cultural District could help the local economy, and the redevelopment of Watertown Square. Life Science Sector

While the lab boom of the early 2020s has waned, Proakis said that the industry still remains solid. “We have 4 million square feet of lab space now, and while vacancies are currently high, indicators are the industry is still growing, with job growth outpacing layoffs, and I think that last thing that is the key is the industry built very aggressively in the lab field of the last couple of years,” Proakis said.

Around Town

Watertown Boys & Girls Club Names Youth of the Year, Awards Scholarship in Memory of Former Winner

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Watertown Boys & Girls Club’s 2025 Youth of the Year Jenna Houjazy and the judges: Jaqueline Sullivan, Stephanie Venizelos, and Carey Conkey-Finn. (Contributed Photo)

The Watertown Boys & Girls Club recently celebrated the achievements of several club members and awarded the 2025 Youth of the Year. Also, for the first time the club presented a scholarship award for the club’s aquatics program named for a former Youth of the Year winner who passed away last year. See more details in the announcement from the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. Watertown Boys & Girls Club hosted its annual “Rising Stars” Youth of the Year celebration on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, recognizing the outstanding achievements and leadership of some of its youth members.

Sports

Watertown Wrestlers Make History at New Englands, One Finishes Second

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Watertown Senior Tessa Master made history by finishing second at the New England Wrestling Championships. Here she won the MIAA Div. 3 State Tournament. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Senior Tessa Master made more history for the Watertown High School wrestling program by becoming the school’s highest finisher at the New England Wrestling Championships — improving on her junior-year performance. She was joined in Providence, Rhode Island, by fellow senior Brady Gleason, the first Raider boys wrestler to make the regional meet.

Government

City Manager’s Thoughts on Winter Parkin Ban, Part 3: Long-Range Planning

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In the third piece on the question of lifting the Winter Parking Ban permanently, Watertown City Manager George Proakis focused on how it would impact the City’s long-range planning. By George Proakis

Recently a group of Watertown residents signed a petition to seek a public hearing in front of the City Council. The topic of the petition and the hearing was our long-term ban on overnight parking that we enforce each winter. The Council hosted this hearing in January. 

Our winter parking ban requires individuals who have a car and a driveway to ensure their car is in their driveway or garage each night. Most residents meet the requirements of the ban by relying on their own driveway, garage or apartment building parking lot.

Police/Fire

Watertown Firefighters Save Dog from Fire on Adams Street

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A fire that began in the kitchen of a multi-family home on Adams Street was extinguished by the Watertown Fire Department on Wednesday. The Fire Department responded to a call at 5:31 p.m. on March 5 after resident reported smoke alarms sounding and smoke coming from the upper floors. “The fire, which originated in a third-floor apartment kitchen, was quickly brought under control by responding crews,” said Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. When they arrived, crews forced entry into the apartment and found a fire in the kitchen area, Nicholson said. Firefighters from Engine 1 advanced a hose line to extinguish the flames while other teams ventilated the structure and checked for further fire spread.

Around Town

East End Open for Business During Road Construction, City Has Map of Parking Alternatives

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A map of alternative places to park during construction on Mt. Auburn Street in Coolidge Square. (City of Watertown)

The roadway through one of Watertown’s major business centers is being reconstructed, but the City reminds residents and customers that Coolidge Square is “Open for Business.” The stretch of Mt. Auburn Street in front of businesses like Artemis Yoga, Olespana, Dunkin’, and 7-Eleven is being torn up, theses businesses remain open.