Letters

OP-ED: It’s All a Balancing Act, Part Three: Linkage Fees and Taxes…They’re Going Up How Much??

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

This is the second part of three looking at the impacts of the Life Science Industry on Watertown. Part One focused on the impact on housing and the environmental impacts. In Part Two, we looked at the costs to the City of Watertown to maintain safe control over the Life Science industry and its effects on our community. In Part Three, we’ll look at linkage fees and how they could help our community.  We’ll also look at how our community got into a position where in Watertown, a city well known for its fiscal responsibility, residential property taxes could soar to 18 percent higher by 2027. Linkage Fees:

Let’s start with the linkage fees mentioned in Part One.

Letters

OP-ED: It’s All a Balancing Act, Part Two: City-related Costs and Concerns

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

This is the second part of three looking at the impacts of the Life Science Industry on Watertown. Part One focused on the impact on housing and the environmental impacts. In Part Two, we’ll look at the costs to the City of Watertown to maintain safe control over the Life Science industry and its effects on our community. Let me repeat the quick caveat from Part One: In bringing these issues up, I am, myself, presenting an unbalanced scenario, in response to that 100% positive view of Sam Ghilardi’s report on bio labs in Watertown, so please keep that in mind. Watertown Building Inspections:

Another note: given all of the construction planned and in progress, do we, in fact, have the adequate City resources to assure that construction regulations and procedures are being followed and inspections and checkins are frequent enough to catch scofflaws?

Entertainment

COMIC: Small Saves Faces Reality of Technology Advances

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James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Letters

OP-ED: It’s All a Balancing Act, Part One: Housing and Environmental Issues

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

A quick overview:

In Part One of this series, we’ll explore housing disruption and environmental issues plaguing Watertown. In Part Two, we’ll look at the costs to the City of Watertown to maintain safe control over the Life Science industry and its effects on our community. In Part Three, we’ll look at how our community got into a position where in Watertown, a city well known for its fiscal responsibility, residential property taxes could soar to 18 percent higher by 2027. As I read the Watertown News article on a meeting to be held by the Charles River Regional Chamber, See: Meeting announcement and read Sam Ghilardi’s very upbeat report there on all of the wonders and advantages that life science and bio labs bring to Watertown, it occurred to me that something was missing … balance. In fairness, people writing reports with Sam’s stated goal: “to promote Watertown as a community of choice for the life science industry …” usually stay away from what might be considered the whole picture.

Around Town

First Parish Church Hosting Concert Benefiting Helen Robinson Wright Charitable Fund

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Charlie BreitroseFirst Parish Church of Watertown. First Parish Watertown will hold a benefit concert for the Helen Robinson Wright Charitable Fund. See details in the announcement provided by the church, below. The Helen Robinson Wright Charitable Committee joyfully announces the annual benefit concert on Saturday, March 21st at 7 p.m. David Rivera Bozon, tenor, will be singing A Night of Song, singing Classical, Broadway and Popular hits accompanied by Hector Vargas, piano. The Suggested donation is $30 for adults, $20 for students and families to be negotiated at the door.

Around Town

Belmont-Watertown UMC Hosting Musical Fundraiser for New England Justice for Our Neighbors

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The following announcement was provided by the Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church:

Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church presents its annual fundraising concert, “Hearts to Help,” in support of New England Justice For Our Neighbors (NEJFON), an agency which provides free legal services to low- and no-income immigrants. 

Enjoy a beautiful “Pops” program of contemporary music performed with choir and classical instruments covering the music of artists such as the Beatles and Michael Jackson. A special Piano-Four-Hand rendition of Queens “Bohemian Rhapsody” is featured. The concert is directed by Yilin You and will be held in BWUMC’s beautiful sanctuary. Refreshments will follow. There is a suggested donation of $25 with all proceeds going to NEJFON. 

Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church is located at 421 Common St., Belmont, MA See more at www.bwumc.org

Find out more about NEJFON at https://newenglandjfon.org/

Around Town

Watertown Porchfest Will be Back in May, Registration Open

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Porchfest returns to Watertown in May, and registration has opened. See more information in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Watertown Porchfest will return to porches, lawns, and driveways on Saturday, May 16, 2026, with performances running from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Following the massive success of previous years, which saw over 70 locations and nearly 150 performance groups, the 2026 event promises another day of community, creativity, and music

Key Information for 2026:

Event Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026

Event Hours: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Registration: Opens March 2, 2026

Cost: Free to register and free to attend

What to Expect

Porchfest is a grassroots community event featuring free music and performances hosted outside private homes, businesses, and organizations. Performers: All genres and styles are welcome, including solo acts, full bands, dance, and spoken word.