Around Town

City to Install Electric Vehicle Chargers in Four Lots, Will Eventually Charge for Power

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Watertown residents will have more places to charge electric vehicles (EVs) in public parking lots. For now, the charging will be available for free, but in the next several months the City will begin charging for the electricity. A loan order approved by the City Council on Tuesday will allow the City to purchase eight charging stations to go in four locations: Nichols Avenue Lot, the Phillips Building (the lot for the School Administration’s office and the Senior Center behind 30 Common St.), at the John A. Ryan Skating Rink (1 Paramount Place), and at the Police Station (552 Main St.). The two chargers at the skating rink will be fast chargers, and the other locations will get two dual-port charging stations, said City Manager George Proakis. He added that the loan is for $180,000 and the projected cost of the eight stations is about $136,000, so the City will look at a couple other locations to install EV chargers.

Government

Council to Consider Ordinance Proposed to Make Large Buildings be Net Zero by 2050

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

Watertown will explore creating an ordinance requiring buildings to reduce their carbon emissions and will base it on similar ordinances adopted by other communities in Massachusetts. Work has already begun on drafting a Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance, or BERDO, with a proposed ordinance having been submitted by the Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee (WE3C). City Manager George Proakis told the City Council on Tuesday that creating a BERDO would “implement a key part of the City’s Climate Plan.” The Resilient Watertown Climate & Energy Plan was passed in 2022. “I have often said (the plan) has many ambitious but achievable goals to address our climate crisis and establish a process in our climate resiliency and climate adaptation, and we’ve worked very hard to do that in a number of different ways,” Proakis said. “What that plan did is also provide strategies to reduce carbon emissions for buildings and called out the necessity for building performance standard ordinance.”

Around Town

Little Local Conversations Speaks With Life Science Worker & Semi-Pro Hockey Player

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Watertown podcaster Matt Hanna has been busy recently. His recent guests include an employee of a non-profit life science firm in town, and a member of Watertown’s own semi-pro hockey team, the Gold Kings. Plus, he started Little Local Weekly, where guests on the podcast can provide updates. Alyssa Cecchitelli, Addgene

Meet Alyssa Cecchetelli! She’s the Associate Director of Plasmid Services at Addgene, a nonprofit life science organization here in Watertown.

Sports

Watertown Field Hockey Player Named Globe Athlete of the Year, Another Makes All-Scholastic Team

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The Watertown field hockey team player Rachel Egan was named Athlete of the Year by the Boston Globe. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

On top of completing an undefeated career as Watertown field hockey players, two Raiders were honored by making the Boston Globe’s All-Scholastic team, including one being named Athlete of the Year. Also, see the Watertown athletes who made the Middlesex League All-Stars for all fall sports. The Globe selected Senior Rachel Egan as the Div. 3 Athlete of the Year.

Business

See Who Will be Honored at the Charles River Chamber’s First Watertown Business Awards

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The Charles River Regional Chamber will honor local businesses, non-profits, and community members during the First Annual Watertown Night, Featuring the Watertown Business Awards. The event takes place Thursday, Jan. 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Donohue’s Bar & Grill, 87 Bigelow Ave., Watertown

The 2025 Award Honorees

Watertown Community Foundation

O’Some Cafe

Archy LaSalle, Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee, activist, educator, and photographer

Max Ritcey, owner, Ritcey East

Also, connect with local business owners, professionals, civic leaders, and community members at our first-annual Watertown Night at Donohue’s Bar & Grill (note new location). The Enjoy delicious food, network with fellow attendees, and celebrate our Watertown Business Awards honorees for their outstanding contributions to the community. Tickets: $20, Open to members & non-members.