Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/government/)
In the first of two debates for races in the Sept. 1, 2026 State Primary, the candidates for 10th Middlesex State Representative will appear in a live televised debate on Watertown Cable Access Television. The debate is co-sponsored by Watertown News. State Rep. John Lawn and challenger Alison Leary, who is a Newton City Councilor, will be in the Watertown Cable studio for the debate on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026 at 7 p.m. The moderator will be Watertown Cable Anchor Jim Vershbow.
The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
The Watertown Public Health Department, in collaboration with the Watertown Police Department, Zoning & Code Enforcement Team, Inspectional Services Division, and with assistance from the FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation — Human Trafficking Task Force, conducted inspections of bodywork establishments in Watertown on July 22, 2026, resulting in closure of multiple businesses due to violations of the City’s rules and regulations. These inspections were carried out in accordance with the City of Watertown’s rules and regulations governing bodywork with the goal of ensuring compliance to safeguard residents and businesses in Watertown, as well as protect against human trafficking. This joint operation was conducted at four establishments, resulting in all locations being shut down. One of the locations, Thai Body Spa (12 Belmont St.), was shut down due to items of sexual nature present, no Certificate of Occupancy, and no bodywork permit. The other three locations were closed down for failing to acquire appropriate certifications, including a Certificate of Occupancy and/or bodywork permit.
Daniel Lander. The following announcement was provided by Daniel Lander for State Senate:
State Auditor Diana DiZoglio endorsed Daniel Lander’s campaign for State Senate, providing significant momentum to Daniel Lander’s campaign against the architect of the broken status quo on Beacon Hill as the campaigns head into the last six weeks. A former State Senator herself, DiZoglio has spent her career fighting for transparency on Beacon Hill. As Auditor, DiZoglio led the successful statewide ballot campaign to audit the state legislature. Despite receiving overwhelming support from more than 70% of voters, Senator Brownsberger and his colleagues in Senate leadership have spent the past year and half trying to block the legislative audit.
The candidates running for the Massachusetts 5th Congressional District seat will appear on a virtual forum sponsored by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment. See details provided by the group, below. Meet the candidates in the Democratic Primary for Representative of CD5 in Congress: Katherine Clark, Jonathan Paz, and Tarik Samman. Attend our Candidates Forum on Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. on Zoom to hear what they have to say and to ask them questions.
The primary is Sept.
Watertown City and State officials appeared before a joint committee at the State House on Jan. 27, 2026, to discuss the City’s Home Rule Petition. Pictured, from left, Steve Owens, George Proakis, John Lawn, Earl Smith, and Mark Sideris. The City of Watertown’s effort to prevent a tax hike for residential property owners, which could be as high as 18%, cleared a major hurdle when it was approved the the House of Representatives on Beacon Hill. On July 8, the House unanimously approved the bill called “An Act relative to property tax classifications in the city of Watertown for fiscal year 2027 and subsequent fiscal years.”
RESCHEDULED TO AUG. 4, 2026 (Click here for information)
A Public Shade Tree Hearing will be held about the proposed removal of four trees on public property on Channing Road, Elmwood Avenue, Fairview Avenue, and Webster Street. See more information from the Watertown Tree Warden, below. Public Shade Trees are protected by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 87. The removal of a healthy public tree requires an advertised public hearing.
Watertown residents will see an increase of 4.5% in both the water and sewer rates for the fiscal year that began on July 1, 2026, which is slightly higher than forecasted a year ago. However, the future increase could be significantly higher than projected due in part to an error made calculating future year revenues. Last year, the City’s consultants, Weston & Sampson, projected a 4% increase in water and sewer rates in FY 2027. The actual increase will be half a percent higher, said Department of Public Works Director Thomas Brady. With the 4.5% increase, residents using 1,800 cubic feet of water will increase $5.10 per quarter ($115.28 to $120.38), and the sewer bill for using 1,800 cubic feet will increase $9.54 per quarter, from $213.48 to $223.02.
The Watertown Police Department is considering purchasing a drone like this one made by Paladin Drones (Photo from Paladin)
An automated drone is one of the new technologies being considered by the Watertown Police Department. On July 9, the City Council’s Public Safety Committee held a hearing to ask questions and hear from the public about the possible use of a drone. The Police Department’s request to have a drone came up in May at a budget hearing. The drone being considered by the Watertown Police is made by Paladin Drones, and would cost $24,000 to purchase, plus an annual cost of $49,000. Paladin’s drones are use solely by public safety agencie, and the company currently works with 115 communities.
Daniel Lander. The following announcement was provided by Dan Lander for State Senate:
Daniel Lander is proud to announce that his campaign for State Senate was endorsed by the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the union representing 117,00 educators throughout the state, including hundreds in Watertown, Cambridge, and Belmont. The endorsement highlights that the status quo is failing working people in Massachusetts, and that educators are ready for a state senate that fights for better public schools, better pay for teachers, and better conditions for students. “I am very proud to receive an endorsement from the MTA,” said Daniel Lander. “Massachussetts has some of the best public schools in the country because we have the best public school educators in the nation.