Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/)
Increasing costs of special education tuition has contributed to the sharp increase in the school budget over the past few years, Superintendent Dede Galdston told the School Committee on Monday night, and for budget for the 2026-27 school year the district will have to find ways to close a multi-million dollar deficit.
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll takes a look around the Watertown Public Schools’ Freight Farm. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
The white box container sitting in the parking lot of the Watertown Public Schools’ administration building has smooth metal walls on the outside, but inside the walls have a lush floor-to-ceiling covering of green plants. The freight container is not just a teaching tool but also provides fresh produce for students around the district.
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.
Watertown District B Councilor Lisa Feltner was elected president of the Mass. Municipal Councillors’ Association.(Photo by Krista Photography | Krista Guenin)
The City Council had a full agenda on Jan. 27, with votes to approve equipment purchases by the Department of Public Works, approval of contracts for multiple City unions, and a Watertown City Councilor was elected head of a statewide board. Also, the date for the Skip the Stuff Ordinance to be considered was announced.
Up first, the Boys…
Senior night honored three young men who have devoted their time and effort to Watertown Basketball — Higor Camara, Andrew Malovanyi and Benjamin Teixeira. Congratulations to all three of them and a tip of the hat for their contribution to Watertown Athletics and Raiders Basketball!
The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:
For the concluding year of the School Program Grants, the Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) awarded $24,500 to the Watertown Public Schools (WPS) to support education programs in every school that will enhance learning beyond the classroom. Grants will support programs across multiple disciplines, including STEM programs, Literacy Week and the arts, to serve 2,700 students of all ages across the district. The list of grantees is here. A new grant portfolio, Education and Youth Development, will launch this March.
Watertown’s June Baboian will appear in Boston Playwrights’ Theatre’s “Zabel in Exile,” a play by R.N. Sandberg about an Armenian writer and activist imprisoned in the Soviet Union. The play was developed at The Armenian Museum of America in Watertown. See the announcement from Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, below.
Watertown Wrestling Coach Kevin Russo watches his team practice in preparation for the Div. 3 State Meet in 2025. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Watertown High School’s wrestling team wraps up a challenging 2025-26 regular season this week as the team prepares for the MIAA state competitions.
Will Brownsberger
State Sen. Will Brownsberger has been endorsed by current and former Watertown City Councilors in his 2026 run for reelection to serve the Suffolk and Middlesex District. He has been senator since Jan. 24, 2012. See more information in the announcement from Brownsberger, below.
by Tony PalombaCity Councilor At-Large
At the City Council meeting tonight, February 10 there will be a public hearing on a Citizen Petition on a Request to Call on Federal leaders to Support Nuclear Disarmament. Below is the statement I hope to make at the Council meeting.
The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:
To help Watertown residents who need urgent help with rent, utilities or other emergency needs, the Watertown Community Foundation, the Marshall Home Fund, and the Helen Robinson Wright Fund at the First Parish of Watertown, came together in December to create a one-time Watertown Emergency Assistance Fund of $50,000.
Orna Therapeutics Logo
Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly will be acquiring a company in the East End of Watertown Arsenal, the two companies announced on Feb. 9. Orna Therapeutics is based at 500 Forge, a building near Home Depot that used to house Miller’s Ale House and offices into lab space.