Government

City Council Looking at Middle School Options; High School Project on Time, Receiving Solar Reimbursement

By |

A new middle school could still be a possibility in the near future, as the City Council discusses the options on Nov. 25, 2026. Above is a vision of what a new Watertown Middle School could look like created by Ai3 Architects. Tuesday night, the future of the Watertown Middle School may be decided by the City Council. Councilors have discussed how to approach the rehabilitation of the school at 68 Waverley Ave.

Government

Rep. Lawn Lead Sponsor for Bill Passed by Mass. House of Reps. to Strengthen Protections for Health Care Workers

By |

Massachusetts State House (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A bill to strengthen protections for health care workers that was passed the Massachusetts House of Representatives with no opposition was spearheaded by Watertown State Rep. John Lawn. See information about bill H.4767 provided by Rep. Lawn’s office, below. The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill on Nov. 19, 2025, that strengthens protections for health care workers, establishes preventive and protective standards to reduce the risk of violence, improves health care facility incident reporting, enhances interagency coordination to safeguard privacy, and creates legal protections for certain employees harmed in the line of duty. “Health care workers are heroes who are responsible for saving lives and for improving the overall health of our Commonwealth, which is why we owe it to them to ensure that they are able to do their jobs without fear for their wellbeing,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy).

Development

ZBA Has Suggestions for Residential Project on Water Street, Gets Update on 104 Main St. Project

By |

An illustration of the proposed residential project at 108 Water St. (Courtesy of Eaglebrook Capital). The Zoning Board of Appeals gave plenty of input on the proposed 52-unit residential project proposed for Water Street, but continued the hearing until December so that designers could make some adjustments to the plans. The board also granted a requested change for the project at 104 Main St., and got an update on the building going up across from the Watertown Library. 108 Water St.

Government

Council Votes to Shorten Winter Parking Ban (This Year) & Increase Parking Fines During Snow Emergencies

By |

Watertown’s Winter Parking Ban will last just two months in 2026, from Jan. 1 to March 1, after the City Council approved a temporary change in the overnight parking regulations. In addition, they approved a sharp increase in fines for cars left on the road during a snow emergency. Tuesday night, City Manager George Proakis presented the changes, which were meant to be a stop-gap until the City can do a more wholesale change to the parking ban. In January, residents filled the Council Chamber for a hearing about eliminating the parking ban completely.

Government

City’s Longtime Leader of Community Development and Planning Retiring in January

By |

Steve Magoon

After more than 17 years leading Watertown’s economic development and planning efforts, Steve Magoon will be retiring from the City of Watertown at the end of January. First hired in 2008 as the Director of Community Development and Planning, Magoon was elevated by the late City Manager Mike Driscoll to Assistant City Manager for Community Development and Planning in the mid-2010s. He continues to serve in that role for City Manager George Proakis, who thanked him for his service at the Nov. 12 City Council Meeting. “In the coming weeks, I know we’ll have a chance to celebrate Steve and his accomplishments in Watertown,” Proakis said at the Council meeting.

Government

Winter Parking Ban Could be Shortened by City Council

By |

Charlie BreitroseSnow started early Tuesday and will get much heavier during the day. The overnight parking ban may be reduced by more than a month if the City Council approves a proposal for a temporary modification to the Winter Parking Ban on Tuesday night. The proposal will be discussed on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. in City Hall and on Zoom. City Council President Mark Sideris gave a preview of the changes during the Nov.

Government

Council Approves Tax Rate for FY2026, See How Much of an Increase to Expect

By |

Charlie BreitroseA lot of money was raised and spent on the 2015 Watertown Election. Watertown homeowners will see their property taxes rise nearly 7 percent after the City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Tax Classification on Wednesday night. The average residential tax bill is $11,328, which is up $734 or 6.9 percent, according to the presentation by Earl Smith, the chair of the Watertown Board of Assessors. The Council also adopted the residential exemption at 35 percent, which provides a savings of $3,965. The average tax bill with the residential exemption is $7,363, which is up $476 or 6.9 percent.

Elections

LETTER: City Councilors At-Large Candidate Thanks Voters

By |

I want to thank the voters of Watertown for allowing me to continue serving you as your City Councilor At-Large at our citywide election on Nov. 4, 2025. Over the last few months of active campaigning, my gratitude list grew three times. As I criss-crossed all neighborhoods of our city, I enjoyed hearing your ideas for Watertown, your love of this wonderfully-diverse community, your recommendations for the best local restaurant or which baker crafts the best lamejun, as you welcomed me at your door, along the street, riding your bike toward the Charles River, or at your neighborhood block parties. I was hoping just to get re-elected to continue my service on the City Council, but I was truly amazed by the total vote numbers I received in every neighborhood, and that I received the most votes of the five candidates for City Councilor At-Large.