Environment

Watertown Resident Nominated for Commonwealth Heroine Award for Environmental Work & Actvism

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Watertown’s Eileen Ryan was nominated as a Commonwealth Heroine by State Sen. Will Brownsberger. (Courtesy of Will Brownsberger’s office)

Watertown’s Eileen Ryan was one of 147 women from across Massachusetts to be nominated for the Commonwealth Heroine Award. She was nominated by State Sen. Will Brownsberger. See more information in the announcement about Ryan, and nominees from Watertown’s State Representatives in the announcements from the legislators’ offices, below. On Wednesday, June 24, 147 women from across the state gathered to be honored at the Class of 2026 Massachusetts Commonwealth Heroine Awards Ceremony.

Elections

State Senate Candidate Endorsed by Boston Mayor Wu

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Daniel Lander. The following announcement was provided by The Lander Committee:

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu endorsed Daniel Lander in his campaign for State Senate, pointing towards his record delivering real change for Boston residents, and his focus on taking on the broken status quo in the State Senate. With her endorsement, it is clear that Lander’s campaign is catching fire in his effort to unseat Senator Will Brownsberger, the architect of the broken status quo on Beacon Hill. “I’ve been proud to work alongside Daniel to deliver for Boston families, and I know he’ll bring that same results-driven leadership to the State Senate,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “In City Hall, Daniel worked to tackle the housing crisis, helped create Boston Family Days to make our top museums and cultural attractions free for Boston students and families, and took on national food delivery companies to make our streets safer.

Government

Unwanted Surprises Drive Up Cost of Renovation of the City’s Parker Annex Building

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The Parker Annex Building (Courtesy of City of Watertown)

City officials have learned what it’s like to renovate a 100+ year old building, and the unwanted surprises that come with it. On Tuesday night, the City Council approved a $373,000 budget transfer to cover the cost of unexpected additional repairs, as well as to insulate the Parker Annex. The former elementary school on Watertown Street opened in 1914, and was sold by the Town in 1986. In 2022, the now City of Watertown bought back the building, which has been turned into office space. Since then, the City has been planning to turn Parker in to a City Hall annex, and hired contractors to renovate the building.

Elections

State Senate Candidates Appearing at Democratic Town Committee Forum

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The candidates for the Suffolk & Middlesex State Senate seat will appear at a forum hosted by the Watertown and Belmont Democratic Town Committees. Incumbent Will Brownsberger and challenge Dan Lander will discuss their view on the issues at the forum. The event will be held on Tuesday, June 30 at 7 p.m. at the Coolidge Apartments, 319 Arlington St. in Watertown. The Suffolk & Middlesex District includes Watertown, Belmont, and parts of Cambridge and Boston.

Elections

Sen. Elizabeth Warren Endorses Candidate in State Senate Race

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Daniel Lander. The following announcement was provided by The Lander Committee:

Senator Elizabeth Warren endorsed Daniel Lander in his campaign for State Senate, pointing towards his record of delivering real results in Boston, and his willingness to challenge the broken status quo politics that are not working for Massachusetts residents. This endorsement marks the first time that Senator Warren has endorsed against a member of State Senate leadership, making clear that Lander’s campaign has serious momentum in its fight to challenge Senator Brownsberger, the architect of the broken Beacon Hill status quo. “I know firsthand that Daniel is a fighter who is ready to make change for the people of Massachusetts. He’s an organizer, a problem solver, and has an impressive track record of public service.

Business

City Manager, Council President Answer Questions About Watertown Square Garage

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A rendering of what could be built in and around the Municipal Parking lot in Watertown Square, including a garage and residential building on the parking lot. The image is from the City of Watertown’s virtual open house. One of the biggest topics of discussion around Watertown, these days, is the parking garage proposed to go on the lot behind CVS in Watertown Square. People ask how big, what will it look like, how much will it cost, who will pay for it? There is a key question that needs to be answered first, City Council President Mark Sideris and City Manager George Proakis said in a recent interview with Watertown News: Should the City build a garage?

Government

Closures in Watertown for the Juneteenth Holiday

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The City of Watertown’s facilities will be closed Friday for the Juneteenth holiday. See more information from the City of Watertown, below. City Hall, the Parker Building, Department of Public Works Offices, the Senior Center and the Watertown Free Public Library are closed on Friday, June 19, 2026, in observance of Juneteenth.Please be aware that due to the Juneteenth holiday on Friday, trash and recycling pickup will be delayed one day after the holiday. The pickup schedule for the week is Monday, June 15-Thursday, June 18, 2026, and Saturday, June 20, 2026. A holiday postpones pickup by one day.

Elections

State Senate Candidate Endorsed by Working Families Party

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Daniel Lander. The following announcement was provided by The Lander Committee:

Daniel Lander announced today that his campaign was endorsed by the Working Families Party, demonstrating his commitment to building a status quo that fights for working people in Massachusetts. The endorsement highlights Daniel’s vision for a Massachusetts where everyone can build a good life. “I am so honored to earn the endorsement of the Working Families Party. This endorsement makes it clear that I am the only candidate in this race who will stand up for working people in Massachusetts and fight to challenge the broken status quo on Beacon Hill.