Around Town

Local Podcast Features 250th Treaty Day, Creative Chats Conference

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The Little Local Conversations Podcast released a pair of special episodes recently. One is on the upcoming 250th anniversary of Treaty Day, and the other comes from the recent Creative Chats Conference. Hosted by Matt Hanna, Little Local Conversations focuses on the people, places, stories, and ideas of Watertown. Hanna speaks with various businesses owners, community leaders, creatives, and other interesting folks in Watertown to learn about what they do and get to know a bit about the people behind the work. Event Highlight: Treaty Day 250

“Did you know that the United States’ first international treaty was signed right here in Watertown?

Elections

Mass. Teachers Association Backs State Senate Candidate

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Daniel Lander. The following announcement was provided by Dan Lander for State Senate:

Daniel Lander is proud to announce that his campaign for State Senate was endorsed by the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the union representing 117,00 educators throughout the state, including hundreds in Watertown, Cambridge, and Belmont. The endorsement highlights that the status quo is failing working people in Massachusetts, and that educators are ready for a state senate that fights for better public schools, better pay for teachers, and better conditions for students. “I am very proud to receive an endorsement from the MTA,” said Daniel Lander. “Massachussetts has some of the best public schools in the country because we have the best public school educators in the nation.

Government

Watertown’s Community Preservation Act Turns 10, Learn More at Celebratory Hearing

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Please make sure the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Turning 10 celebratory public hearing is on your calendar. Join the Community Preservation Committee to: 

Learn more about the CPA projects in Watertown

Share your ideas and priorities as we update the CPA 5-year plan 

Engage with your neighbors in breakout groups sorted by open space/outdoor recreation, community housing, and historic preservation

Enjoy anniversary cake. When: Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 7PM

Where: Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Savings Bank Room

Contact Lanae Handy at lhandy@watertown-ma.gov for more information or if you have questions.

Elections

LETTER: Watertown Resident Supports State Senate Candidate

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To my Watertown friends and neighbors:

Senator Will Brownsberger is running for re-election and I enthusiastically support his continued service as our State Senator. Over many years of public service, Senator Brownsberger has earned the trust of our communities through thoughtful leadership, accessibility, and an unwavering dedication to serving his constituents. 

I have been especially impressed with Senator Brownsberger’s commitment to improving education in Massachusetts, and in Watertown. The Senator is aware of particular funding challenges that arise in our community. Through his investigation into the highly-complicated funding formula for schools (Chapter 70), he discovered that Watertown was not receiving the money to which we are entitled. Over his 12 years in the State Senate, this has led to nearly $22 million dollars of additional funding coming from the state to Watertown.

Elections

Charles River Chamber Hosting House, Senate Candidate Debates

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The Charles River Regional Chamber will host a pair of debates with candidates running to represent Watertown in the State House. The 10th Middlesex House debate with John Lawn and Alison Leary takes place on July 21, and the Suffolk and Middlesex State Senate debate will be on Aug. 10. See more information from the Chamber, below. Join us for two virtual debates between candidates for the State House competing on Sept 1.

Around Town

Watertown Arts Market Seeking Volunteers, See How to Get Involved

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The Arts Market returns to Watertown on Aug. 8, and it will be bigger than ever! Volunteers are needed to help the market run, including set up before, break down after, and during the market. See more information in the announcement from the Arts Market, below. The 6th Annual Watertown Arts Market will be Saturday, August 8 at Arsenal Park, and the volunteer registration form is officially open: https://www.watertownartsmarket.com/get-involved

We hope you’ll join us again this year, as the 2026 Arts Market is going to be bigger and better than ever!

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.