Letters

LETTER: City-Owned Land an Opportunity for Mixed-Income Housing

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Watertown is a Mixed-Income City, City Land Should Prioritize Mixed-Income Housing

This coming Wednesday, May 20 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., the City will host an open house at 9 Galen Street where residents will have an opportunity to better understand the proposed Watertown Square Demonstration Project, ask questions, and weigh in on our visions and priorities. At last month’s rollout of the demonstration project, the City shared a lot of information about its plans for Watertown Square. We heard about a new parking garage, 200-300 units of market-rate housing and new open space in parcels behind the existing CVS, much of which is city-owned. Like many residents, we have questions about the project. We are particularly interested to hear more from the City on the following questions:

• What would need to be in place for housing over the garage to be possible?

Charity

Watertown Community Foundation Awards Inaugural Education & Youth Development Grants

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation has awarded $39,475 in the inaugural Education and Youth Development grant cycle. This new grant program creates access to opportunities for Watertown youth that foster skill-building, creativity, leadership, confidence and resilience, while creating pathways for all young people to thrive. The Watertown Public Schools (WPS) was the largest grant recipient, receiving $22,575 to support six programs and provide student internship support. One of the grants, totaling $5,000, was awarded to the WPS Student Opportunity Fund, which covers the cost of student activities, field trips, and clubs for families who need support. This grant increases the district’s Student Opportunity Fund by approximately 25% for the 2026–2027 school year — a year that will see the reinstatement of athletics and activity fees at the middle and high school levels.

Around Town

Watertown Pride 2026: Parade, Performances, Food & Other Festivities

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Pride Committee:

Watertown Pride returns for its fifth year on Saturday, June 6, featuring a parade that kicks off at Moxley Park at 11 a.m. and culminates in a festival at Saltonstall Park from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees can enjoy live music, drag, a circus performance, food trucks, family-friendly activities, public health resources, and opportunities to connect with LGBTQIA+ neighbors and allies. As always, Watertown Pride is free and open to all. The Watertown Free Public Library Bookmobile at Watertown Pride 2025

Saltonstall Park is wheelchair accessible, and the City of Watertown Communications Department is funding American Sign Language interpreters on the main stage. Braille maps will be provided by Perkins School for the Blind. Keynote Speaker Chastity Bowick at Watertown Pride 2025

Attendees are encouraged to gather at Moxley Playground at 10 a.m. on the morning of June 6 to make signs or decorate their outfits, bicycles, and strollers with colorful Pride regalia.

Entertainment

Unplug and Recharge With Outdoor Yoga at Mount Auburn Cemetery

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Story Chapel at Mount Auburn Cemetery. (Photo from Mount Auburn Cemetery)

Mount Auburn Cemetery’s yoga series continues this week with a session led by a Watertown studio. See more information in the announcement from the Cemetery, below. As late spring comes into full bloom, Mount Auburn Cemetery is inviting the community to slow down, unplug, and reconnect with themselves through a mindful outdoor yoga series set in one of Greater Boston’s most peaceful landscapes. Yoga for Awakening with Artemis Yoga returns on May 21, offering a guided experience rooted in presence, breath, and intentional movement.

Entertainment

Check Out This Week’s Small Saves Cartoon

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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.”

Around Town

Watertown Recreation Offering Summer Parks Program, Field Trips

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The Recreation Department will expand the Summer Parks Program, and offers multiple field trips over the summer. See more in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Join us for the Summer Parks Program with our brand-new expansion to Casey Park! The Summer Parks program will now be available at 2 parks (Arsenal and Casey) throughout the summer! Summer Parks Field Trips

The Summer Parks Program will be going on 4 field trips coming down the pike this summer and they Include:

Water Wizz

Canobie Lake Park

WooSox Game

Nova Adventure Park

We will also be doing some events such as Archery and Waterslides!

Schools

Watertown Special Ed. Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) to Host General Info Meeting

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown SEPAC:

Watertown SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) will host an in-person meeting on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St. The meeting will take place in the Lucia Mastrangelo Room on the second floor from 6-7:30 p.m.

Hosted by SEPAC Officers

Connect with Watertown parents & caregivers of students with disabilities

Discuss plans and priorities for the 2026-2027 school year

Fill out our Spring 2026 Family Survey while you’re there – it closes the following day! Drop-in participation for any length of time is welcome

Please see the recent SEPAC newsletter link below for additional details. The Smore platform can automatically translate newsletters into more than 130 languages. 

May 2026 Newsletter: https://app.smore.com/n/ub1sa

Visit the Watertown SEPAC website to sign up for our mailing list: https://sites.google.com/watertown.k12.ma.us/watertown-sepac/home