Government

Council to Discuss Watertown’s FY27 Budget at 3 Public Hearings

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Watertown City Hall

The City Council will hold three public hearings on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget on May 6, 11 and 12 at 6 p.m each day. The meetings will take place in City Hall, will be televised by Watertown Cable Access, and will be available by Zoom (click here for links). See more details provided by the City of Watertown, below. In accordance with the Watertown City Charter and the Council Rules, the Honorable City Council will meet, as the Committee of the Whole, for the purpose of holding public hearings on the City Manager’s Proposed Budget for the Fiscal Year 2027. The public hearings on the City Manager’s Proposed Budget for the Fiscal Year 2027 will be held as follows:

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 – 6 PM

Constituent Services

Information Technology

City Clerk / Elections

Community Development & Planning

Health and Human Services Departments

Public Safety Departments

Non-Department Appropriations (Debt, Capital Projects, Etc.)

Monday, May 11, 2026 – 6 PM

Human Resources

Public Buildings

Library

Recreation Departments

School Department

Department of Public Works

Water & Sewer Enterprise Budgets

Tuesday, May 12, 2026 – 6 PM

City Council

City Manager

Auditing

Procurement

Assessing

Treasurer / Collector

Parking Lots & Meters

City Attorney

Department Heads will be available for questions at the above scheduled hearings.

Letters

LETTER: How Did That Garage Get There??

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“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” George Bernard Shaw

To quote one of our Watertown residents in Watertown News regarding the survey for the (failed) city logo, “There is a FlashVote asking for input on which of 4 versions of this logo people prefer. Not sure why this project has continued without community input until – ‘which version of this logo do you prefer?’ The comments in this thread were clear, sensible and seemingly went completely unheard…”

This feels very familiar. How did we get to a place where we’re considering the fine points of a four or five story parking garage in the CVS parking lot before Watertown residents were even asked what, if anything, should be put in this space? Have the Square businesses even been polled by our City Council (the people who represent them) about what they’d like to see? Now that the idea of this garage has been so strongly introduced, would they even feel comfortable speaking up?

Entertainment

Exhibit “The Jane Gang: Drawing Meets Painting” Opens at Watertown Art Gallery

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The following information was provided by Storefront Art Projects:

Storefront Art Projects presents: “The Jane Gang: Drawing Meets Painting” featuring Jane Goldman and Friends. The exhibit runs May 2-30, 2026. A reception will be held on Saturday, May 2, 1-4 p.m.

With art by: Jane Goldman, Sharon Adams, Diana Bailey, Barbara Berke, Mike Claflin, Henrietta Davis, Sarah Hickler, Fran Hiller, Barbara Hoppin,Sally Lebwohl, Melinda Mesmer, Joan Savitsky, Sandy Shaw, Betsy Tuttle, Betsy Zeldin

Since the pandemic, well known artist Jane Goldman has been teaching Zoom classes in drawing and watercolor. The participants have become supportive friends who inspire Jane and each other. 

Jane’s students say: “Jane Goldman combines professional rigor with playful creativity, offering mentorship in watercolor that is personal, challenging, and inspiring.” 

“I learned to love watercolor painting in Jane’s class. Each time I pick up a paint brush I’m challenged to capture the magic of light on paper!” 

“Drawing with Jane on Mondays has been a highlight of my week for the past couple of years.

Entertainment

Community Day at Historic House in Watertown: Tours, Music, Games, Family Activities

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The following announcement was provided by Historic New England and the Historical Society of Watertown:

Join Historic New England and local cultural organizations for an afternoon of history, culture, and connection. Explore the Browne House, enjoy family-friendly activities and lawn games, browse books at the mobile library, and meet your neighbors as we celebrate Watertown’s rich heritage. Participating organizations include:

Watertown Free Public LibraryHistorical Society of WatertownWatertown Public Arts & CultureThe Pigsgusset InitiativeCharles River Museum of Industry and InnovationGore PlaceFriends of Mount Auburn

WHEN: Saturday, May 2, 10:00 a.m.– 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Browne House, 562 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

● Parking in the Police Station lot next door or on Main Street is encouraged. There is no parking on site for this event.● There are steps to enter the house, and the site is not equipped with ramps, elevators, or lifts. And there is no public restroom.

Letters

LETTER: Mt. Auburn Street — Good Intentions Are Not Enough

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To the Editor:

I am a lifelong Watertown resident and proud to call this community home. It is precisely because of that pride and that history here that I feel compelled to write — on behalf of myself and many of my neighbors along East Boylston Street and Mount Auburn Street — about the ongoing construction that has disrupted our daily lives for so long that many of us can no longer remember a time when it wasn’t happening. While we understand that improving and modernizing our city’s infrastructure is no small task, and that the intentions behind this work are good, good intentions alone do not excuse poor execution. Noise and dust have become a constant, exhausting reality for those of us on East Boylston and Mount Auburn. And for some residents, the impact goes far beyond mere inconvenience.

Around Town

Watertown Elected Leaders and Community Activists Endorse Daniel Lander for State Senate

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Daniel Lander. The following announcement came from the Landers for Senate Campaign:

Daniel Lander announced that his state senate campaign had been endorsed by a slate of elected and community leaders in Watertown. These leaders include elected school committee members, labor activists, and democratic party leaders. They are supporting Daniel’s vision for a more progressive Massachusetts that will take on the status quo and fight the affordability crisis while standing up to the Trump administration. “I am so grateful to have earned the trust and support of so many amazing leaders in Watertown,” said Daniel Lander, Candidate for State Senate, “These leaders and so many others in Watertown have organizing to take on our some of our state’s most pressing issues: building affordable housing, protecting our immigrant neighbors, and making sure every child gets an incredible education.

Around Town

Youth TV Production Workshop Offered by Watertown Cable

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown Cable Access Television:

WCA-TV’s Youth Workshop is back this summer for children between the ages of 9 to 14. Our students will learn the basics of video production, from scriptwriting to editing. By the end of the Workshop, students will have produced a film. This Workshop will run Monday-Wednesday from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. during the weeks of July 20th and 27th. This Workshop is free of charge to all students thanks to a generous grant from the Watertown Cultural Council.

Elections

LETTER: Retired Judge Endorses Sen. Will Brownsberger

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To The Editor,

I am writing to enthusiastically support Senator Will Brownsberger’s re-election campaign and will be voting for him on Sept. 1. During my legal career, encompassing 20 years as a public defender and 24 years as a juvenile court judge, I have learned a lot about the legislative process and the importance of having an effective and forceful advocate who understands the issues and the needs of our community. Will has been in the forefront of youth and criminal legal reform efforts, and his voice is now needed more than ever. I work with a wide network of advocacy groups who realize the imperative of having someone who has the institutional history and credibility to get things done.