Government

Lawmakers Discuss Changes to Health Care System, Including State Rep. John Lawn

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State Representative John Lawn spoke on a panel about primary care reform at the 2026 Health Equity Trends Summit at UMass Boston on June 2. (Photo credit: Piper Brown Photography)

Watertown State Rep. John Lawn joined a panel of lawmakers speaking about trends in health care in a time when federal policies are changing the system. See more information in the announcement from Health Care Compact, below. The Health Equity Compact convened Massachusetts policymakers and leaders at its 2026 Health Equity Trends Summit on June 2, 2026, at UMass Boston, where new approaches to advancing health equity for marginalized communities were discussed at a time when restrictive federal policies are limiting and reshaping access to coverage and care. 

The daylong Summit featured notable speakers and panelists pressing for health systems change and deepening community investments by creating alignment on possible pathways to progress, including supporting enactment of “An Act to Advance Health Equity” and other legislation, protecting health care access for recently uninsured individuals, reforming primary care, and promoting community health workers. The event concluded with a move to action, providing health leaders with tangible next steps for activating the topics in their respective communities across the Commonwealth.

Charity

Watertown Community Foundation Challenge to Raise $25,000; Gifts Doubled Until June 26

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation has launched a matching gift campaign to raise $25,000 in community donations and unlock up to $25,000 in matching funds. Through June 26, 2026, all gifts to support the work of the Watertown Community Foundation will be matched dollar for dollar — thanks to WCF’s Board of Directors. “With rising prices, we can see that people are struggling,” said Lauren Coughlin Unsworth, Board Co-President, Watertown Community Foundation. “When you give by June 26, your gift will go twice as far to help. Thanks to the leadership and generosity of our Board of Directors, we were able to offer this matching fund to respond to need at a critical time.”

The Watertown Community Foundation uses gifts from community members to fund grants to nonprofits and programs that serve people who live and work in Watertown and has awarded a total of $136,000 so far in 2026.

Letters

LETTER: In Support of a Compromise Rent Control Bill

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By Tony PalombaCity Councilor At-Large

As an At-Large City Councilor in Watertown Massachusetts I am acutely aware of the housing storage that Massachusetts is facing – both for those who wish to purchase a home and who would like to rent. We also know that the cost of homeownership and renting is continuing to climb. The burden of these two factors makes it difficult to provide low-income and moderate-income residents with affordable housing. In Watertown approximately half of our residents are renters, 39% of whom are “cost burdened”, meaning that they spend more than one-third of their income on housing. The median income for Watertown renters is $105,360 with many renters having an income of about $77,000.

Letters

LETTER: Hope is Not a Strategy — Pleasant Street and Beyond

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(Updated June 16, 2026 at 2:24 p.m.)

By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

I want to mention three meetings, one that I attended on June 5th that City Council President Mark Sideris conducted. These meetings are a relatively new concept as a result of our last Charter review. Each councilor is required to have one community meeting a year and invite the public. It’s a good idea. I also want to mention the Watertown Planning Board meeting on June 10th on zoom that I attended (thank you to my friend who kept track of this stuff and mentioned it to me when I was otherwise occupied).

Around Town

LETTER: Thank You to the Community for a Fabulous Watertown Helps Out

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Dear Editor,

Wow! Watertown, you knocked Watertown Helps Out (WHO) out of the park! The Watertown Community Foundation has organized WHO for 12 years and this was the best one yet. Watertown residents, community partners, corporate sponsors, students, and city leaders came together in an extraordinary month of community service. Together, we logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours dedicated to 40 different projects directly supporting 20 nonprofit organizations across our city.

Around Town

Wayside Receives Grant to Support Health & Substance Use Prevention Program

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

The following announcement was provided by Wayside Youth & Family Support Network:

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the Cummings Foundation to support the launch of its Seeds of Wellness pilot program within the organization’s Multi-Service Program. Wayside is one of 150 nonprofits selected through a highly competitive process from 959 applicants as part of the Cummings Foundation’s annual grant program, which distributed $35 million this year. The funding will be provided over three years. The Seeds of Wellness pilot will enhance Wayside’s Multi-Service Center existing mental health and substance use prevention services by creating opportunities for youth to connect with nature, build resilience, and strengthen relationships with trusted adults through community volunteers.

Around Town

Sidewalk Work Continues in Coolidge Square This Week

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The process of removing, reconfiguring, and pouring new sidewalks in Coolidge Square continues during the week of June 15, 2026. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Sidewalk Grading & Forming

Sidewalk fine grading will take place at School Street and Hillside Road. Sidewalk forming will take place between Winsor Ave. and Hillside Road.

Government

Applicants Wanted to Serve on City Boards and Committees

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

City Manager George Proakis announced he seeks residents to serve on the Conservation Commission, the Environment & Energy Efficiency Committee, the Historic District Commission, and the Stormwater Committee. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Make a Difference, Join a Committee, Board or Commission

City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the following Committees, Boards or Commissions. Vacancies as of June 11, 2026

Conservation Commission

Environment & Energy Efficiency Committee

Historic District Commission

Stormwater Committee

Visit the Boards and Commissions page to learn more. 

Access the Universal Application.