Letters

LETTER: Do You Know Where Your Neighborhood is Going? (Part 2)

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Looking at Trends

Looking back on the past few years, I see a trend:

1 – The Watertown Square Planning process was a plan to rezone our city core. The MBTA state Law that mandated zoning for 1701 new housing units was a major part of this process, and yet a plan for 1,701 didn’t even reach our councilors’ desks, not to mention the community. After community input for 1,701 units, the City came back with a plan for 6,320 units and effectively defined Watertown Square as an area that extended west on Main to Lexington Street and up Galen, almost to the Mass Pike. The City ultimately “settled” for a number just over 3,000 (3,133) units. The response from our City government when this bait and switch was pointed out?

Letters

LETTER: Do You Know Where Your Neighborhood is Going?

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Part One: Preserving Our Neighborhoods

“Preserving neighborhood character involves balancing tradition with growth through strategieslike historic designation, context-sensitive zoning (scale and setbacks), protecting green spaces, community engagement, and rehabilitation of existing buildings, all while fostering a sense of place, often focusing on a neighborhood’s unique look, feel, and activities, rather than just enforcing uniformity, to maintain stability and appeal.”

The above AI definition of preserving neighborhood character is a far cry from the standard, knee-jerk response to the phrase “preserving a neighborhood’s character” as a racist construct. (See also this AI definition: The phrase “preserving neighborhood character” has a complex history rooted in racially exclusionary policies [often referred to as redlining] that were used to maintain segregation in housing in the United States. While seemingly neutral today, the language was historically used as a coded way to prevent people of color from moving into predominantly white areas”). Can it be used for these purposes? Sure.

Schools

Watertown Students Make Dean’s List, Presents Research Project

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Watertown students attending college at Saint Anselm, James Madison, the University of Wisconsin, Northern Essex Community College, Hofstra, Assumption, SNHU, and Lasell made the dean’s list during the fall of 2025, and a student at Emmanuel College presented his research project. See details in the announcements provided by the colleges and universities. Saint Anselm

Saint Anselm College has released the Dean’s List of high academic achievers for the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year. To be eligible for this honor, a student must have achieved a grade point average of 3.4 or better in the semester with at least 12 credits of study which award a letter grade. This semester there were a total of 702 students from 25 states, the District of Colombia, and 3 countries.

Letters

LETTER: Hardware Chain Sharing License Plates from Flock Cameras with Law Enforcement

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To the Editor:

Dozens of Home Depot Stores in Texas are sharing parking lot surveillance camera license-plate scans — through the Flock network — with the Johnson County, Texas, Sheriff’s office. This is according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation and 404 Media. 

Visitors to those stores are unaware that they are being tracked. 

I think, until I hear otherwise, that I will limit my hardware shopping to our local friends at Coolidge Hardware. 

William BeckettWatertown Resident

Business

Chamber’s Real Estate Forum Focuses on What’s Next in the Fight for Housing

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The Charles River Regional Chamber will host the Annual Real Estate Forum: What’s next in the fight for housing on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 9-11:30 a.m. at UMass Amherst Charles River Campus, Newton (formerly Mount Ida). See the announcement from the Chamber below. When the MBTA Communities Act became law in 2021, it marked the most significant zoning reform in Massachusetts in decades — opening the door to new housing production across eastern Massachusetts. But no one believed it would solve the housing crisis on its own.Four years later, the pressure hasn’t eased.

Business

Learn How to Boost Your Brand, Get a Headshot at the WBC’s January Event

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Watertown Business Coalition’s first event of 2026 focuses on rebranding your business or organization. The event at Atelier Sociale includes and opportunity to get your headshot taken by a professional photographer. See more details in the announcement from the WBC and the City’s Events Team, below. Start the new year strong with the WBC! Ready to refresh your online presence?

Entertainment

Paul Jost and Jim Ridl Bring Soulful Jazz Storytelling to the Mosesian Center for the Arts

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The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:

The Mosesian Center for the Arts brings its relaunched jazz series, Chords and Cocktails, into the new year with an evening of soulful storytelling and virtuosic musicianship. On Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026 at 7:30 p.m., acclaimed vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Paul Jost is joined by pianist and composer Jim Ridl for an intimate and compelling performance in the Charles Mosesian Theater. Hailed as “one of the most soulful jazz vocalists of his generation,” Jost is known for his passionate delivery, inventive phrasing, and deeply expressive approach to song. A multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and composer, he has performed at leading venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center, the 55 Bar, SMOKE Jazz Club, and major international festivals worldwide.

Around Town

City of Watertown Thanks All for Successful Community Food Drive

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Food collected from multiple locations across the City during the Community Food Drive in November and December. The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the entire Watertown community – residents, businesses, volunteers, and more – for supporting the community food drive hosted through November and December 2025. Thanks to everyone’s efforts together, thousands of food items were collected to support our pantries, community fridge, and directly to families in need. This community food drive was organized by the City of Watertown, with support from the Watertown Community Foundation, in early November when federal SNAP benefits were delayed and over 1,600 Watertown households were unsure if the assistance they rely on each month would come through. Jenna Bancroft, Watertown’s Director of Human Services, was amazed by the way the community stepped up and supported their neighbors.