Around Town

Panel Discussing Indigenous Views on the Origins of the American Revolution at Library

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The following announcement was provided by the Pigsgusset Intiative:

The Watertown Free Public Library, together with the Upstander Project and the community-based Pigsgusset Initiative, will host a conversation about Indigenous Views on the Origins of the American Revolution on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Watertown Savings Bank Room at the library. The event will include drumming, a short documentary film screening, and a panel discussion. This event is free and open to the public, and attendees are strongly encouraged to register online at watertownlib.org/events. Join Watertown resident and co-founder of the Pigsgusset Initiative and Upstander Project, Mishy Lesser, Chris Newell (Passamaquoddy author, educator, musician, and knowledge-keeper), Graham Marshall (Mi’kmaq educator, musician, and culture-sharer), and Kristine Malpica (public historian and researcher at Upstander Project) will share their perspectives after a screening of Upstander Project’s short documentary, “Bounty.” Learn about the colonial-era scalp laws that terrorized Native peoples and how they influenced the decision by many to side with the American Patriots against the British. 

The event will start promptly at 7 p.m. with drumming and singing.

Government

Mt. Auburn St. Project: Sidewalk Reconstruction, Drainage and Tree Trench Installation

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During the week of June 13-17, sidewalk work will continue in the areas of Elton Street, Winsor Avenue and Langdon Avenue. Drainage work will take place between Bates Road and Spruce Street, while tree trench installation will take place from Stearns Road and Spruce Street. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown below. Concrete Placement

Concrete placement will take place on the following westbound sidewalk locations starting along Mount Auburn Street:

617 Mount Auburn Street to Elton Street. On Mount Auburn Street from Winsor Avenue to Langdon Avenue.

Government

City Council Moving Out of City Hall for July 14 Meeting

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The Parker Annex Building (Courtesy of City of Watertown)

The City Council will not be meeting it the usual place on July 14. The meeting will be held in the Parker Building at 7 p.m. The meeting includes a votes to set next year’s water and sewer rates, on proposed changes to the Noise Ordinance, and a presentation about the City’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. See more information provided by the City, below. Due to scheduled maintenance in the Watertown City Hall Council Chambers, the Watertown City Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, will not be held at City Hall. The meeting will instead take place at Parker Building in the Community Meeting Room, 2E.

Entertainment

Small Saves’ Room Needs Some Work in This Week’s 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 Groups Organizing “Good Trouble Lives On” Events

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Three Watertown groups will co-sponsor a stand out on July 17 in Watertown Square as part of “Good Trouble Lives On.” (Photo by Joshua Touster)

Three Watertown groups will be taking part in local events as part of “Good Trouble Lives On.” See information provided by Indivisible Progressive Watertown, below. As part of the Good Trouble Lives On weekend of July 17-19, Indivisible Progressive Watertown, the Watertown Rapid Response Network, and World in Watertown are co-sponsoring a Stand Out in Watertown Square on Friday, July 17, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

And, as part of the De-ICE Citizens Bank Campaign, Indivisible Progressive Watertown is sponsoring a Stand Out in front of Citizens Bank at 631 Mt. Auburn Street in East Watertown on Saturday, July 18 from 10-11 am.

Schools

7 Watertown Students Earn Honors at Boston College High

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Boston College High announced last honor roll, which included several students from Watertown. See the announcement from the school, below. The following local students made the Q4 Honor Roll at BC High for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Please join us in celebrating their accomplishments! RobertAirasianQuarter 4 Honors2027WatertownRobertDiStefanoQuarter 4 Honors2027WatertownRobertMacKerronQuarter 4 Honors2028WatertownChetBrackettQuarter 4 Honors2029WatertownThomasMoloneyQuarter 4 High Honors2027WatertownSamuelCarpenterQuarter 4 High Honors2028WatertownWilliamCuddyQuarter 4 High Honors2028Watertown

Elections

State Senate Candidate Endorsed by Statewide Environmental Group

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Will Brownsberger

The following announcement was provided by the Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund:

The Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund has endorsed Will Brownsberger for re-election as Suffolk and Middlesex District State Senator, a credit to his commitment to the environment and climate action. Issues of environmental justice, public health, transportation, and energy policy are inextricably linked. Because of this, we need leaders at every level of government who will call for ambitious action. 

“Will Brownsberger has consistently advanced policies that strengthen climate resilience and support a cleaner energy future,” said Casey Bowers, Executive Director of the Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund. “His leadership on building decarbonization, grid modernization, and clean energy technologies will help Massachusetts continue making progress toward its climate goals.”

Will Brownsberger is running for the Suffolk and Middlesex District seat, a position he has held since 2012. Prior to being elected to the Senate, Brownsberger was the 24th Middlesex State Representative from 2007 until 2012. Since taking office, Brownsberger has championed affordable housing, climate resilience, criminal justice reform, and investments in mental and public health services.

Entertainment

Armenian Architect and Artist Giving Illustrated Talk at Watertown Library

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The following announcement was provided by the Armenian Museum of America:

Join authors Rouben and Liz Simonian for an immersion into Art and Architecture, Geography and Genealogy through Rouben Simonian’s memoir of an Armenian architect’s legacy, “Uncharted Canvas: A Journey through Beirut, Brussels, and Beyond.” The event will take place on Thursday, July 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library in collaboration with the Armenian Museum of America and the Hamazkayin Boston Chapter. The evening will include a slideshow of Rouben’s paintings. Signed books will be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting the Armenian Museum of America. In his memoir, Rouben shares the inspiring story of his Armenian heritage and his transformative journey from childhood in Beirut to a successful architecture career in America.