Around Town

City Manager Talks About Life Science Sector, Federal Funding, Future of Watertown Square & More in His City Update

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Watertown City Manager George Proakis covered a variety of topics in his City Update on Tuesday. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown’s economic prospects remain promising, despite a downturn in life sciences and uncertainty in future funds from Washington, City Manager George Proakis said during his City Update at an event hosted by the Watertown Business Coalition on Tuesday. During the event at the Hampton Inn & Suites, he also spoke about the possible reuse of the former Police Station property, how the new Cultural District could help the local economy, and the redevelopment of Watertown Square. Life Science Sector

While the lab boom of the early 2020s has waned, Proakis said that the industry still remains solid. “We have 4 million square feet of lab space now, and while vacancies are currently high, indicators are the industry is still growing, with job growth outpacing layoffs, and I think that last thing that is the key is the industry built very aggressively in the lab field of the last couple of years,” Proakis said.

Around Town

Watertown Receives State Cooling Corridors Grant to Plant Trees

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Launch of the Cooling Corridors Program in Chicopee, MA, in 2024 (Contributed Photo)

Watertown was one of the communities to receive a grant to plant trees as part of the state’s Cooling Corridors program. See more information in the announcement from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, below. The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced over $1.3 million in grants from the Cooling Corridors program, which focuses on planting trees along popular walking routes and in environmental justice neighborhoods across Massachusetts. The funding, through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Division of Conservation Services, will go to 13 municipalities and one nonprofit organization to combat the rising heat residents are experiencing due to climate change. The program prioritizes planting trees in environmental justice (EJ) neighborhoods – communities that often face more environmental challenges – and along paths that connect people to important places like schools, healthcare providers, and senior centers. 

“Investing in green spaces is vital for the health and well-being of our residents,” said Governor Maura Healey.

Sports

Watertown Wrestlers Make History at New Englands, One Finishes Second

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Watertown Senior Tessa Master made history by finishing second at the New England Wrestling Championships. Here she won the MIAA Div. 3 State Tournament. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Senior Tessa Master made more history for the Watertown High School wrestling program by becoming the school’s highest finisher at the New England Wrestling Championships — improving on her junior-year performance. She was joined in Providence, Rhode Island, by fellow senior Brady Gleason, the first Raider boys wrestler to make the regional meet.

Obituaries

OBIT: Daniel Gerado Baldi, 87, Grew Up in Town, Taught for Many Years

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Daniel G. Baldi

Daniel Gerado Baldi, 87, passed peacefully after a period of declining health on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. A devoted husband, Dan was predeceased by his beloved wife of 59 years, Marcia, in November 2020. He is survived by his three children and five grandchildren: Mark and Liz Baldi of West Boylston, MA, Linda Baldi of Brockton, MA, and Jill and Mark Freeman of Bridgewater, MA; his grandchildren, Rachael (Baldi) Rodrigues and her husband Stephen, Benjamin Baldi, Amanda Baldi, Ethan Freeman, and Kate Freeman. He is also survived by his sister Bonnie Covell of Florida, brother in-law Tom Sinclair of New Hampshire, and several nieces and nephews. Born on January 11, 1938, in Somerville, Massachusetts, to Giacomo and Elvira (Panteri) Baldi, formerly of Villa a Roggio and Pescia, Italy, the fifth of six children Carlo (Charlie), Anna, Baldo, Mario, and Bonnie, Daniel was the proud son of Italian American immigrants, welcoming friends and family to join at mealtimes with a hearty “Tutti Mangia.” Dan grew up in Newton and Watertown, MA, where he developed an early love of science and nature which led to a career as a junior and high school teacher for 32 years in Holbrook, MA.