Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/)
Watertown City and State officials appeared before a joint committee at the State House on Jan. 27, 2026. Pictured, from left, Steve Owens, George Proakis, John Lawn, Earl Smith, and Mark Sideris.
City officials from Watertown joined state representatives on Beacon Hill to request an extension to a bill that allowed Watertown to shift more of the property tax burden from residential properties to commercial properties. The shift would allow a 50/50 split, instead of the current requirements of state law to have 61 percent of the tax levy coming from residential properties.
Longtime dining destination, Not Your Average Joe’s, will be closing after more than a quarter century in Watertown Square.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department.
Steve Magoon
Steve Magoon has seen the transformation of large sections of Watertown, and played a major role in the creation of some of the City’s most important planning documents during his time working for the City. Magoon will retire at the end of January after more than 17 years as director of the Department of Community Development and Planning.
Jim Brennan
A Mass of Christian Burial for James “Jim” Joseph Brennan, Jr. of Watertown will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, 39 Sixth Street, East Cambridge.
Raiders Basketball enjoyed a fun night on the hardwood with a 76-43 rout of the CASH (Community Academy of Health & Science) Chargers Monday night. The first of two games (Feb. 9 @ CASH) with the non-league opponent from Dorchester (and a member of the Boston City League), was won early as the Raiders raced out to a 23-10 lead after one quarter.
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Ritcey East will host Watertown Pride Mid-Season Events each month leading up to Watertown Pride 2026 in June. See details in the announcement from the Watertown Pride Committee, below.
By Linda ScottWatertown Resident
We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us. – Winston Churchill
This is a follow-up to “Where is your Neighborhood Going? (Parts One and Two)”
As I read the responses to the above letters in Watertown News, I decided that maybe an overview of recent housing development in Watertown was in order. So here goes. Watertown’s Bona Fides
Watertown has proven again and again that we are a thoughtful, generous community.
Rock. Paper. Scissors. Everyone knows this classic game. The rules can’t be much simpler. Rock beats scissors. Scissors beats paper. Paper beats rock. Why the review? I’ve come up with a hockey version. Speed. Strength (of skating, shooting & stickhandling). Size. Speed beats “strength.” Size beats (or slows down) speed.
The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:
The Mosesian Center for the Arts continues its relaunched jazz series, Chords and Cocktails, with an evening of expressive jazz, lyrical storytelling, and world-class musicianship. On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 7:30 PM, acclaimed vocalist Kris Adams is joined by legendary trumpeter, composer, and arranger Greg Hopkins, along with an ensemble of distinguished musicians, for an intimate performance in the Dinah Lane Theater.
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.
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.