By Linda Scott
Watertown Resident
A quick overview:
In Part One of this series, we’ll explore housing disruption and environmental issues plaguing Watertown.
In Part Two, we’ll look at the costs to the City of Watertown to maintain safe control over the Life Science industry and its effects on our community.
In Part Three, we’ll look at how our community got into a position where in Watertown, a city well known for its fiscal responsibility, residential property taxes could soar to 18 percent higher by 2027.
As I read the Watertown News article on a meeting to be held by the Charles River Regional Chamber, See: Meeting announcement and read Sam Ghilardi’s very upbeat report there on all of the wonders and advantages that life science and bio labs bring to Watertown, it occurred to me that something was missing … balance.
In fairness, people writing reports with Sam’s stated goal: “to promote Watertown as a community of choice for the life science industry …” usually stay away from what might be considered the whole picture.
Also, in fairness, some of the negative aspects are only felt by Watertown’s residents, so they might be irrelevant to his target audience, out of town companies considering moving into the City of Watertown.
Companies (especially those from out of the area), no matter how community-conscious they may seem, come here to make money. Residents come here to make their homes and memories. There’s nothing wrong with this. All it means is that sometimes our priorities and interests will clash.
Terms to Know:
As a point of reference, “life science” and “bio labs” are terms often used interchangeably. Here’s an AI definition differentiating the two:
“The core difference is that Life Sciences is the broad scientific field studying living organisms (biology, biotechnology, medicine), while BioLabs refers specifically to a network of shared laboratory and office spaces (incubators) designed to support life science startup companies.
Life sciences is the “what” (science), and BioLabs is the “where” (physical infrastructure) where that science is often developed.”
A caveat: In an effort to achieve balance, I thought that I’d mention a few of the unmentioned costs (economically, socially, and environmentally) associated with a city full of bio labs. In bringing these issues up, I am, myself, presenting an unbalanced scenario, in response to Sam’s 100% positive view, so please keep that in mind. At times, I’ll be referring to Sam Ghilardi’s report when making my point. I’ll be sure to mention that when I do.
So, having said all that, this is a look at the other side of the coin of Watertown bio labs and the issues that accompany abundant construction in a 4 square mile area.
Housing Disruption/Resident Displacement:
According to Sam Ghilardi’s report, 1,736 (life science) jobs have been added to Watertown over the last decade. This comprises 11% of our entire Watertown workforce.
According to Sam’s report, “life science jobs pay about 2.36 times higher than the average Watertown weekly wage.”
How many of the over 1700 people who work in Watertown life science/bio lab firms are new residents in Watertown, squeezing out and raising rent/home prices for other long-term residents, adding to Watertown’s affordable housing crisis? The displacement numbers caused by the new life science jobs would be a helpful number to know.
The Watertown City Council voted on a linkage fee ordinance in 2023, with this growing imbalance in mind:
“In general, the key purposes of linkage fees:
• Fund Affordable Housing: The primary goal is to generate revenue for affordable housing projects to offset the housing demand created by new commercial development.
• Mitigate Development Impact: They address the increased demand on public infrastructure, traffic, and services resulting from new projects.
• Support Workforce Development: Fees often fund job training, job readiness programs, and community services.
• Address Mismatch: They help bridge the gap between where people work and where they can afford to live.”
The above is from inclusionaryhousing.org. More on this in Part Three.
Public Transportation/Traffic:
How many of these 1,736 life science workers take public transit to and from work in Watertown? How many walk or ride bikes or scooters? How many bring their cars into Watertown each day?
Fun fact: recently, there was a Boston Globe article highlighting a biotech building in Watertown. The advantages listed included lower lease prices (than Cambridge or Boston), a parking garage, the close proximity to the MassPike, and manageable commutes for executives from the suburbs, implying that cars are a preferred mode of worker transport to Watertown.
How many employees use the shuttles provided? Perhaps Zeke Mermell, Watertown’s Senior Transportation Planner, can give us these and the shuttle numbers. Last time I looked, ridership on the shuttles provided by bio lab companies was in the single digits.
Other Environmental Issues:
In Sam Ghilardi’s report, he states that bio lab space has grown 6 times larger since 2016, from 600,000 square feet to 3.6 million square feet in 2025. He also mentions future numbers: 1.2 million square feet of bio lab space permitted but not built yet. These numbers, in a small community such as ours, reflect an overwhelming saturation of one industry. Here are some of the results of both the construction and maintenance of these properties and companies:
Noise Pollution:
There’s the significant matter of noise pollution emanating from some of these bio labs along the Charles River in West Watertown, affecting both wildlife and people, which hasn’t been satisfactorily dealt with yet. Is it possible to get that resolved? I hear that in the past, a similar bio lab building noise problem was reported by residents abutting Arsenal Yards, and that issue was resolved.
For years the Newton residents across the river have suggested some solutions which would involve the City putting pressure on businesses to do the right thing and build additional sound barriers.
A personal aside, when I went to one of these labs to hear and measure the noise for myself, an employee of that lab walked past me on his way to walk along the river. He said to me, “Noisy, right?” I nodded my agreement. He said, “Yeah, I work here, but I live farther out west…it’s quieter there.”
Because Watertown’s current noise ordinance is ineffective to address current construction and large buildings in our community, including large bio labs with powerful blowers, these abutting Newton residents have been left to live with this constant nuisance/pollutant.
The Newton residents are the canaries in the coal mines for Watertown residents, who if they don’t already, will experience this noise and perhaps a constant or intermittent vibration as more (1.2 million square feet – Sam’s number) of new bio lab construction and operation begins in their neighborhoods.
Remember, this is not a 9 to 5, Monday through Friday set of noises…it’s twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, with scientific data piling up that this is not a healthy environment to live in.
As one knowledgeable Watertown resident told me, “Labs need to run equipment 24/7/365. Heating/cooling takes a lot of energy and generates a lot of roof noise. Chiller fans are loud, and when you have many running simultaneously on buildings clustered in small square milage alongside neighborhoods, people are going to hear them when their windows are open at night.”
“Noise pollution is an invisible, modern-day hazard that quietly threatens public health, causing stress, sleep disruption, and cardiovascular issues. As an under appreciated danger, it requires urgent awareness…” UC Davis Center for Occupational and Environmental Health.
Air Quality:
At a very active Watertown community meeting, where there was a discussion about converting an older building into a lab facility near the river, (a third within a tenth of a mile), another knowledgeable resident who lived close to the site pointed out that there were certain exemptions from the NAAQS standards (National Ambient Air Quality Standards) for some R&D facilities. He feared that since this building’s purpose was left open, it might qualify for this exemption.
He suggested that even if it was exempted under current plans, that the City should write in a plan approval (pre-construction permit) for air emissions just to be cautious, and to prevent anything dangerous from slipping through the cracks. It’s not clear whether his advice was heeded by the City.
Again, according to AI:
“Plan Approval Exemptions (MassDEP Example): In some jurisdictions, such as Massachusetts”biotechnology laboratories” may be exempt from obtaining a specific “Plan Approval” (pre-construction permit) for air emissions. This exemption typically applies to labs used solely for research, development, or support for medical devices, drugs, or biologics undergoing FDA approval, even if emissions exceed one ton per year.”
Also: “Hazardous Chemical Reporting (EPCRA): Research laboratories are generally exempt from reporting specific hazardous chemicals under Sections 311 and 312 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), provided the substances are used under the direct supervision of a technically qualified individual.”
Bio-Lab Accidents:
But the ultimate potential cost: A major bio lab disaster in a 4 square mile area. For years we’ve (dangerously, in my opinion) skidded by without Health Department bio lab safety on-site inspections. (See Parts one through four of my Watertown News Op-Ed, “How Safe Is Watertown From a Bio Lab Emergency”: https://www.watertownmanews.com/2023/02/24/op-ed-how-safe-is-watertown-from-a-bio-lab-emergency-part-1/)
My understanding is that our new Health Director has been working on this. When I questioned her at a recent Watertown Bio Safety meeting, she explained that plans for inspector training were in the works, but instead of using an industry professional, our regular inspectors would be trained and used. I give her credit for making progress on this, but I believe this form of inspection falls short. Yet, better something than nothing.
If, in fact, inspections are in place and being conducted and knowing that there are “101 firms” (Sam’s number), how much does any current inspection of bio labs and life science buildings cost the taxpayers of Watertown? How much more would it cost to use industry professionals to do the inspections?
A note for the following: These environmental concerns refer to construction in Watertown in general. Because construction of bio labs has been so extensive, (according to Sam, from 600,000 square feet to 3.6 million square feet in ten years), it’s reasonable to say that they play a large role in the problems below.
Rats, Rats, and more Rats:
Once again, the Health Department’s mandate includes this environmental issue, which has been brought on and accelerated by the massive destruction of rat warrens (tunnels rats use for nesting and food storage) during construction all over the City. We recently took a giant step backward with a long garbage strike.
Again, as people deal with city-wide rats and other destructive rodents, even with “safer” solutions to these problems, are we still endangering other wildlife who prey upon the rodents? It’s my understanding that the “safer” option isn’t 100% safe. It just takes more of the substance to kill a creature.
How many Watertown residents forgo normal, healthy activities such as planting vegetable gardens in order to avoid attracting rats? How many more residents are discouraged from planting gardens, because of the past damage done by runaway populations of rats and rabbits, caused by an imbalance of natural predators? See this Op Ed just published in Watertown News: https://www.watertownmanews.com/2026/02/24/op-ed-preventing-owls-raptors-from-being-poisoned-by-rodenticides/
And, another simple and pleasurable gone-by activity … feeding the wild birds. This simple and educational leisure activity is a thing of the past if rats are to be controlled.
How many Watertown residents/taxpayers have had to pay thousands of dollars to fix damage to their cars from rodents chewing on the wires? For that matter, how many small businesses in Watertown are finding the rat problem more costly and challenging as well?
And Trees:
Tree canopies reduced for construction: How many mature trees have we lost to the construction of 3.6 million square feet of bio labs and life science facilities? How many new trees have been planted? How many years will these new trees need to grow before they restore the same environmental value to this community, including reducing heat islands?
Hazardous Waste Removal and Construction Pollutants:
According to Sam, as of December 2025, there were 101 life science firms in Watertown. How many trucks come and go daily servicing these firms, and what percentage of those vehicles carry hazardous waste?
Is there any increased danger to the community from the many trucks traveling on Watertown streets, carrying hazardous waste and chemicals to and from these facilities? Yes, they could be carrying hazardous materials into the labs as well…for instance diseased animal tissue for experiments and testing.
Speaking of hazardous waste and pollution, what does it cost (to the city and to Watertown taxpayers) to keep track of all of the new and continuing construction in Watertown? I have mentioned these neighborhood-eroding examples before:
One (non-lab) example: a knowledgeable resident reported a large new construction project for haphazardly (and illegally) disposing of asbestos from an old structure that they were tearing down.
It took her a while to find out who the responsible city department was for this complaint. Turns out, it’s not the building department, but the Health Department, once again, who bears this responsibility.
And here’s another example of residents dealing with massive construction and the pollution added to our City: A Watertown resident got off a bus in Watertown on a windy day and was immediately assaulted by a strong wind carrying dirt from an uncovered construction dirt pile on a large bio lab building site.
She located a worker to say that the rules required that this huge pile needed to be covered or sprayed down so that it wasn’t polluting the air. The worker’s response? “F—- you, lady.” Once again, the Health Department to the rescue, and another day in paradise!
Tomorrow, see: It’s All a Balancing Act, Part Two: City-related Costs and Concerns
I have long thought Watertown was lucky to attract the life sciences to build their bio labs here (see, now I know the difference). I didn’t want ours to become a “company town”, reliant on a single industry; but bio labs beat battery and tire shops as a future economic base. Now you’ve got me thinking. I look forward to parts two and three.
We’ve been battling the “heat island” effect in Watertown for years. Life sciences campuses are better designed than parking lots, but if their equipment requires a lot of energy which generates a lot of heat—all within our four square mile—that’s a lot of heat to mitigate.
I’ve reached out to our Health Department over simple noise violations, and their response has been exemplary. To think they were part of busting the massage parlor ring AND responsible for construction sites and lab inspections is asking too much. It sounds like a great TV series (Chicago Health?), but a potential tragedy in the making. I’ve written before to warn against city government over staffing, but if we’re going to demand so much of our HD, let’s give them the resources to actually keep us healthy.
Can’t wait for more.
Hi Josh,
In many ways, Watertown has gotten great benefits out of having bio labs here, but it’s not the total picture. I think that part of the problem was that we were so happy to get this revenue that not many questions were asked. As I wrote, mine was not a balanced view, but rather a counterbalance to the “pie in the sky” attitude being portrayed.
Remember, it wasn’t that long ago that we were continuing to court bio lab development, even though the signs were clear that the market was softening. As you’ll see in Part Two, almost half of the life science space in Watertown is empty.
I still remember a meeting where our Bio Safety Committee presented information to our City Council. In regard to the lack of inspections, one councilor asked, “How do we know that (bio labs) are doing what they say they’re doing?” The head of the Bio Safety Committee, a scientist himself, very candidly and firmly said “We don’t.”
That was November 2022. We haven’t had inspections since bio labs entered the City in 2016, and it only began to be addressed late last year. It took ten years to get things going as far as lab inspections. In my opinion, the City should have been on this issue, but why kill the golden goose?
As far as the fire department is concerned, they got approval to have a lab safety officer in their department trained and responsible for bio lab fire safety inspections years ago. That was very forward-thinking and has proven to be a great asset to Watertown.
It surprised me as well how much our Health Department’s mandate covers. Besides what’s on the “to do” list, there’s one on one attention to residents’ problems that may or may not be specifically listed in the job description. There’s a lot of compassion involved in what they do.
This bio lab picture is all very complicated, and, I think as you’ll see in Part Three, in the long run, these businesses may not be the “relief” we bargained for.
This writer does not need to “maintain safe control over the life science industry.” Safe operations are more a priority for these companies than the writer. They have a mission, millions of dollars and a reputation to protect. This writer’s repeated implication that they “might be” operating in an unsafe manner is insulting to those of us who work in this industry. Insulting.
Exactly what do you think our Health Department is supposed to “inspect”? Does our Health Department know more than these companies about lab operations? (all companies don’t have labs, by the way) Does our city government invade the premises of all companies who operate in our city just to have a look around?
And it is a ridiculous suggestion that higher income people should not live in Watertown. It belies the real reason they don’t like the life science industry.
Key Businesses Inspected by Health Departments:
Food Service & Retail: Restaurants, cafes, bars, cafeterias, catering businesses, food trucks, push carts, and snack/ice cream trucks.
Food Processing & Distribution: Wholesale food manufacturers, seafood processors, milk pasteurization plants, and food warehouses.
Residential & Community Facilities: Daycares, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and residential camps.
Personal Services & Public Facilities: Tanning salons, body art/tattoo parlors, public/semi-public swimming pools, whirlpools/spas, and hotels.
Establishments that may create odors, dust, or sanitation issues, such as those with dumpsters or animal-keeping services.
Cambridge has an extensive bio lab inspection system. As for all of the above, a well trained staff is needed to inspect something as complex as a bio lab.
+7
American industry has a poor record of concern for the public’s health and well being. It is not hard to understand why those who are familiar with Watertown’s history of pollution and toxic waste are suspicious. If the lab industry is so clean, then there is no reason to object to oversight.
The real issue is whether town authorities have the tools to oversee the industry. But every industry must have an Authority Having Jurisdiction in order protect the populace. Where that appropriate oversight resides is the important question. But given human nature’s tendency toward corruption, oversight is needed for every industry.
The issue with some new residents in Watertown extends beyond bidding up the cost of housing. There is an easily discernible lack of respect toward those who already live here. The comment above is a prime example of the problem. Everyone should be welcome and everyone should be respected. Respect should not be doled out proportionately to income or education.
Hi Joe,
You’ve done it again! You’ve said in 2 paragraphs what it took me three long letters to express! Thanks again for synthesizing my thoughts and backing it up with the history of American industry’s track record.
Yes, oversight is necessary, even in places where the work is being done by very smart people!
Thank you for your thoughtful and diligent work. There is a lot of items noted that we all should be talking about if we want a healthy and beautiful place to live. I don’t think that focusing on housing numbers and industry numbers over quality of living is right approach. Quality of life should be before large business or housing development.
On a related note, I have been noticing repeat problems with large trucks invading the bus stops along Mt. Auburn St. to make deliveries to Starbucks and the pizza place near Common st. I have contacted the police department many times but there seems to be a policy of ignorance on this issue. I have seen them drive right by and do nothing. This will get worse as the roadway gets reduced in the near future.
Hi David,
I think that you’ve put the matter very simply and succinctly: quality of life issues are deal breakers for people and companies who are deciding to come to Watertown.
In George Proakis’ remarks the other day at the Watertown Business Coalition meeting, he posed the question “Why do people and businesses want to come to Watertown?” He said because Watertown is a “nice place.” I’m wondering how long that will be able to be said. I know a lot of residents who’ve been here a while, and with the environmental issues discussed, who would disagree.
He also said that the commute from the suburbs wasn’t bad…interesting, given that’s a selling point for business…you can bring your car and park in our garage, while the City is encouraging building decisions that close residents out of having a place for a vehicle.
As for the blocking of “T” stops…not sure what’s going on there. Is this is a recent phenomena? Have you tried 311? Maybe they can fill you in.
Re deliveries: the new Mt. Auburn Street will be worse than the old. When I described the redesign plan to a local shopkeeper already deprived of foot and car traffic by the unending road work, his first concern was how deliveries would be made. Neither of us had an answer. I wonder if the designer or the city council do. I walk to this shop, but if the owner throws in the towel, it’s into my car I go to Market Basket, Whole Foods, wherever. Except for Target, where rampant shoplifting in the Watertown and Arsenal malls render them unsafe. “15 minute cities” describe the lifespan of the citizens condemned to live in them. “You will own nothing and be happy” is a direct order.
Yes, the current Mount Auburn Street is critically short of Loading Zones. So all sorts of bad habits develop, like loading from the bus stops. I am not sure that this critical need has been accounted for in the current plans.
Right you are about the parking garage. Mr. Proakis’s support for a multistory garage implies his approval of dozens to hundreds of cars using it daily. It certainly would attract many out of town drivers. Yet the entire point of the MBTA-housing linkage was to build housing that would be independent (at least somewhat independent) of private cars. So, cars for commuters, but not for residents. If that was always the plan, why not say so? And I’m still waiting for a comprehensive transportation plan from the MBTA to service the needs of Watertown, which I never tire of pointing out DOES NOT have a T or commuter rail stop. Philip Eng strikes me as very capable. So I’m cautiously optimistic that they’ll come up with something. But then there’s a sucker born every minute, and my birthday’s coming up.
I have called 311 and the police department directly and yet it has continued for at least the past year.
Dear Linda Scott, fascinating article, may I please ask, what is your personal experience and area of expertise? The article would have much more impact if you spoke from your own experiences backed up by your credentials. I appreciate your bravery in speaking from your heart.
Hi Whitney,
I am a retired teacher. I have no experience in the biotech field, nor many of the topics that I cover. For instance, I did a series of articles called “What the Delta Saw” on the history of the delta and Watertown Square, that the City referred to in their introductory Watertown Square meeting, but I am not a historian.
See: https://www.watertownmanews.com/2023/09/10/letter-what-the-delta-saw-a-slightly-irreverent-and-rambling-history-of-watertown-square-parts-1-2/
I’m willing and capable of doing extensive research on the topics that draw my interest. I also value the statements of facts and opinions of experts in the areas that I write about. I love learning, and what I have been trained to do is impart what I’ve learned to others.
What I do have is the ability to attend meetings, ask questions, interview people in the field, and write. I invite people to do their own research, ask their own questions and come to their own conclusions as well.
Sorry that I can’t add to the “gravitas” of my research with some sort of credential, but I’m glad you asked, because I’d hate for people to assume that I’m claiming to be some sort of an expert at everything, with degrees to match.
No, I’m a longtime resident of Watertown who cares about her community and is willing to put in the work and stick her head out of the sand once in a while to generate a community conversation on something that’s important.
I occasionally get maligned by those with their own agendas. By the way, while we’re on that topic, when I was writing about the Watertown Square plans, I was “honored” to have two determined bots responding with long, derisive comments, to my efforts. They were taken down when it was realized that the names used could not be connected with “real people.”
I invite you, if you have the time, to explore this topic more on your own. In fact, I hope that more residents will look into these matters. So many Watertown residents feel powerless to respond to things that they don’t agree with and/or concern them. Add to that the lack of transparency on many issues. This leads to resentment of decisions that are made and a feeling of anger and helplessness.
Linda,
I am the lab operations manager at a small biotech company in Watertown and I also handle a lot of the safety and regulatory work. If you have any interest in having a discussion about what my job entails or what business is like at a biotech company, please let me know.
Thank you, Mr. Notkin.
Linda, you have once again outdone yourself. Your tireless search for critical information and willingness to enlighten those of us who live in Watertown is to be commended. These are important issues that need to be followed in an objective manner and most of us don’t take or have the time to pursue.
There are so many issues to comment on, but I’ll just pull out a few of them. Regarding transportation you ask the question about shuttle use and ridership by bio lab company employees. I haven’t seen any response by Zeke Mermell. Knowing these numbers would help us plan as other businesses draw people into our city to work. Are they driving here and parking and/or potentially parking in the city desired parking garage proposed for the square? Notice I said ‘city desired’, not resident desired for the most part.
According to your information from Sam Ghilardi’s report, we currently have 3.6 million square feet of lab space. If we include the potential addition of 1.2 million square feet, that’s a total of 4.8 million. That’s a lot of eggs in one basket when this industry has slowed down to a crawl.
With the downturn in new lab spaces and the 1.2 million square feet of bio lab space permitted but not built yet, what will happen to that space? As I have stated before, we need more diverse businesses that include a variety of jobs for all levels of employment. Manufacturing is coming back to the U.S. Are we encouraging any in Watertown? Are we suggestion alternative uses to the owners of those buildings?
With the cutbacks in life science and bio lab jobs in many companies, are we sure that all the compliance rules are being followed? Many times when some employees are let go, the remaining ones take on a bigger load. Sometimes quality of work can suffer and in this particular segment, following all rules to keep us safe is a very important aspect of these jobs. As smaller companies can fail or change, it can be difficult to keep track of who is where and what they are doing. Can our city employees tasked with following up keep up on a regular basis to do the necessary inspections. Do we know if these inspections are actually in effect?
As the undeveloped sites sit idle, we are not capitalizing on the taxes we hoped to receive. I would think they aren’t paying full boat on the taxes as they have no equipment in them or a physical building to tax. Are we talking to the owners to see what else they might consider developing?
Encouraging the next new thing may work, but let’s not make the same mistakes. Robotics and climate tech may be great, but again let’s diversify. Manufacturing is coming back to the US. Let’s take advantage of any opportunities in those areas. Let’s not get locked into positions that can’t be changed. Let’s keep open minds for all ideas.
Thanks, Joan.
I’ll contact Zeke to see if he would write an informational article for Watertown News on the shuttle service. At least one of those shuttles is available for Watertown residents to use for a very reasonable price.
I was under the impression that there was a study being conducted on them. Perhaps he could fill us in or point to something previously submitted that will inform Watertown residents of the who, what, when, where, and why’s of it all.
As far as cutbacks and money are concerned, a couple of years ago I had a lengthy conversation with someone in the field that explained that very small startups are often strapped for cash. That may have changed as many small companies are being absorbed by larger ones, and with the current financial climate perhaps the most vulnerable might have had to close their doors.
A current list of the life science businesses in Watertown, perhaps updated once a year, with pertinent general information would be a helpful document to have.
Hi again, Joan.
Zeke promptly got back to me with a link to this Watertown News article on the shuttles. Thanks, Zeke! In this article, it says that the Pleasant Street shuttle averages 692 rides per month.
https://www.watertownmanews.com/2025/10/22/watertown-shuttle-to-open-new-route-to-public-watertown-tma-looking-for-transportation-improvements/
It looks like the Pleasant Street shuttle runs all days except 9 holidays. If that’s the case, the individual riders per day is about 23, and if most of these riders use the shuttle to go roundtrip, that would mean about 12 riders per day. This is just a very rough estimate. At any rate, it would seem that this is a missed opportunity for quite a few people.