New Middle School Moves a Step Closer to Reality; Council Approves Funds for Parks Projects

A vision of what a new Watertown Middle School could look like created by Ai3 Architects and presented to the School Committee in October 2025. The possibility of building a new Middle School in Watertown moved a step closer to becoming a reality at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The Council also approved funding for projects at City parks, the library, Police Station, and for Watertown’s Treaty Day celebration. On June 9, the Council approved a $3 million transfer of funds from the Middle School Stabilization Fund to pay for the design development of a possible Middle School. City Manager George Proakis stressed that the Council is still deciding whether or not to proceed with the project.

Two Dozen Open Houses Around Watertown This Weekend

Homebuyers have several new listings to check out Watertown’s open houses this week. 67 Prospect St., $1,075,000, 4 bedroom 2 bathroom 2,770 sq. ft. Single Family, Open houses Sunday, June 14 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Friday, June 12 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Saturday, June 13 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

$370,000 145 Warren St APT 7, 2 bedroom 1 bathroom 650 sq. ft.

City Council to Consider Changes to Noise Ordinance, Including New Allowed Hours for Lawn Work

Watertown’s City Hall. Proposed changes to Watertown’s Noise Ordinance will soon be discussed by the City Council, including changes of hours for lawn and garden maintenance. In the latest in a series of efforts to update the City’s Noise Ordinance, the Council’s Committee on Rules and Ordinances held meetings in May and June to discuss changes. The Committee’s report was presented at the June 9 City Council Meeting by Councilor Nicole Gardner, chair of the Rules & Ordinances Committee. The Committee agreed to a statement of purpose for the Noise Ordinance, which said:

“Noise pollution is a serious hazard to public health, welfare, safety, and quality of life.

WEEKEND FUN: Cinderella, Comedy Watch Party, Run Club, Children’s Author, Bourbon Day

If you need a break from the World Cup (or do not follow soccer), Watertown has plenty of events to choose from this weekend. All weekend, Watertown Children’s Theatre will present Cinderella. Fans of comedy can join the watch party for the finale of Taskmaster UK. This weekend looks hot, but the Watertown Running Club has a pair of runs before the mercury rises. On Sunday, the Watertown Library hosts children’s author Melissa Stewart.

Effort to Start Food Co-op Half Way There, Board Starting to Seek Sites

The effort to bring a food co-op to the Watertown area reached a major milestone recently, and has gained momentum in its effort to open a retail store. The Charles River Food Co-op surpassed the 1,000 member mark, which is a “big deal,” said Sam Garwin, president of the Co-op’s Board of Directors. “Two-thousand represents the number of people where, if we had that many people who were on a regular basis shoppers at our store, that would bode very well for the long-term success of the store,” she said. “So 1,000 means we’re halfway there, which is amazing.” A co-op is a business that is 100% owned by its co-op shareholders.

WORLD CUP: Local Watch Parties & Festivities But Less Economic Impact Than Predicted

Fans from around the globe will be coming to the United States for the FIFA World Cup, which kicks off June 11, including for several games in the Boston area. There are plenty of ways to take in some of the atmosphere and the spirit of the world’s largest sporting event in and around Watertown. The 2022 World Cup was viewed by 5 billions people globally, according to FIFA (compared to about 115 million for the Super Bowl in the United States), and thousands of fans at the stadiums but it may not be as big an event for the local economy as once thought. The United States is a co-host, with Canada and Mexico, of the tournament featuring 48 teams and 104 games. The Americans will not play in Boston in the group phase, when the U.S. faces Paraguay (June 12), Australia (June 19) and Turkiye (June 25).

Watertown Pride 2026 — See Photos of the Festivities

The Parade started the festivities for Watertown Pride 2026 on June 6. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown Pride returned to Watertown Square for the fifth year on Saturday, June 6, 2026. A volunteer handed out Pride flags. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A parade from Moxley Field to Saltonstall Park started the celebration. The Good Trouble Brass Band performed at the pavilion in Saltonstall Park.

See the Latest Small Saves Cartoon

James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”