Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/aroundtown/)
Charlie BreitroseA truck plows a Watertown street. Dozens of Watertown Department of Public Works crews and contractors plowed 20 inches of snow off Watertown’s 72 miles of roadway, after the snowstorm that hit the City on Jan. 25 and 26, City Manager George Proakis said. The City also issued 69 parking tickets and 50 warnings and fines for failing to shovel sidewalks. Proakis provided the City Council with a report of the response to the biggest snowstorm to hit Watertown in several years.
Can you imagine sleeping with your children in your car tonight? Or bedding down beneath an overpass, hoping that layers of tarp and wool blankets can stave off the cold and snow? Housing is a human right. Public housing fills a crucial need in our community, ensuring that every person has a roof over their head and a decent place to call home, regardless of their circumstances. That’s why we support the proposed redevelopment of the Willow Park public housing complex in Watertown.
Now we’re asking you to join us by signing a letter of support.
Crews will be out on Mt. Auburn Street installing drainage and making test pits along the thoroughfare this week. See exactly where in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. The Mount Auburn Street Complete Street Project is a MassDOT funded and managed initiative to fully reconstruct State Route 16, creating a safer, more accessible street for all users, whether traveling by car, bicycle, transit, or on foot. Below, you’ll find this week’s project update, including upcoming construction activities, anticipated traffic impacts, a look at the project’s final design in the area of work, and access to view more info on the projects history and details.
Live Well Watertown has an in-person event about the Blue Zones, places in the world where people live longest, as well as an online info session about bicycling in the winter. See more information provided by the City of Watertown, below. Join us as we partner with the City of Watertown’s Live Well program to screen and discuss the Blue Zone Netflix Documentary. The film highlights five unique communities where people live longer better. The evening will include discussion, resources, and tips about longevity shared by five areas around the world.
The Wayside Multi-Service Center is located on North Beacon Street in Watertown. (Courtesy of Wayside)
The Wayside Multi-Service Center momentarily saw one-third of its budget disappear, with the removal of a federal grant. While the grant was restored within days, Sophia Suarez-Friedman, Program Director for Wayside Multi-Service Center, said it was both a stark reminder and a heartening response. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) grant accounts for a large portion of the Wayside’s program in Watertown. It is used to support youth with trauma in Watertown and Waltham, and their families.
The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment:
The Palestine-Gaza Committee of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment is launching a series of documentary and feature films that will explore the history and culture of the Palestinian people and provide a picture of their life under Israeli occupation. The series gets underway at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 9 Russell Ave., Watertown, with the showing of “1948: Creation and Catastrophe.” A discussion will follow the presentation. Admission is free.
Families with young children in Watertown are invited to a tea hosted by Brigham House. See details in the announcement below. February is the month of LOVE … Families with young children are invited to a LOVEly Winter Tea at Brigham House Assisted Living, 341 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown.
Show some love for local non-profit organization during the Watertown Business Coalition’s Share the Love event on Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. See details from the WBC, below. Join us at Branch Line’s heated patio for a LOVE-ly evening of networking, connection, and fun! This Valentine’s event brings Watertown nonprofit organizations together to share their missions, their passion, and all the ways they help make our community stronger. Mingle, make new connections, and learn a little more about the causes that keep Watertown thriving.
The City of Watertown’s Live Well Watertown program is hosting an Eat Well Community Event on Feb. 4 at the Watertown Library. See details in the announcement provided by the City of Watertown, below. Registration is open for Live Well Watertown’s first Eat Well Community Event in 2026, Warm Nourishing Bites: A Winter Gathering at the Watertown Public Library – Savings Bank Room on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 from 6:30 – 8:00pm. Start the new year the best way possible — together.
