Around Town

Mt. Auburn St. Project: Sidewalk Reconstruction and Drainage Installation This Week

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The Mt. Auburn Street Project during the week of July 27-31 includes sidewalk work from Boylston to School streets, Hillside Avenue to Upland Road, and School Street to Amherst Road. Drainage work will take place from Bates Road to Russell Avenue. The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

Sidewalk Grading & Forming

Sidewalk fine grading will take place on Mount Auburn Street between Boylston Street to School Street and Hillside Avenue to Upland Road. Concrete Placement

Concrete placement will take place on the westbound sidewalk along Mount Auburn Street between Boylston Street to School Street.

Entertainment

Watertown Wheels: Third Annual Classic Car Show at Commander’s Mansion

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The third annual Watertown Wheels Classic Car Show is coming to the Commander’s Mansion on Sunday, Aug. 2 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. See how to attend, or even enter the event in the information provided by the City of Watertown’s Events Team, below. ​What better way to spend a summer weekend than at a classic car show? Join us for the 3rd Annual Watertown Wheels Classic Car Show — a fun, family‑friendly day featuring an exciting lineup of antique and vintage cars, great food, music, and raffles. This event is free to attend and open to the public.

Entertainment

See What Small Saves is Up to 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.”

Check out Small Saves’ website at smallsaves.com 

See What’s Happening at the Rink in This Week’s Small Saves Cartoon

Letters

LETTER: MWRA, Keep Your Promise of a Clean Charles River

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I don’t know about you, but I love being able to access the Charles River here in Watertown. We have invested a lot in cleaning up our waterways, especially the Charles River and it shows. Many of us remember when you had to get a tetanus shot if you were exposed to the water. But we have waited a long time (since 1972!) for the MWRA to live up to its promise of a truly swimmable, fishable Charles River. 

However, a recent proposal from the MWRA will betray this promise and replace it with certain pollution for many years to come. The main object in the way are the continued Combined Sewerage Overflows (CSOs) that are released into the river whenever we have serious rainstorms. Rainstorms are becoming more severe, dropping large amounts of water at a time and triggering these CSOs.

Government

Rescheduled Tree Hearing to be Held for Proposed Removal of 4 Trees

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The tree hearing about four trees on public property on Channing Road, Elmwood Avenue, Fairview Avenue, was originally scheduled for July 23, but was rescheduled for Aug. 4. See the announcement provided by the Watertown Tree Warden, below. Public Shade Trees are protected by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 87. The removal of a healthy public tree requires an advertised public hearing.

Elections

Watertown Police Unions Endorse Candidate for Middlesex District Attorney

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David Solet

The following announcement was provided by the David Solet for Middlesex District Attorney Campaign:

Two Watertown Police Unions announced July 22 that they have endorsed David Solet, a veteran trial attorney and 2025 Middlesex County Prosecutor of the Year, to replace current District Attorney Marian Ryan, citing fundamental differences in their approach to pursuing justice and protecting the residents of Middlesex County. The Watertown Superiors Police Association and the Watertown Police Patrol Association noted that Solet would crack down on illegal gun trafficking, prioritize the prosecution of repeat violent offenders, and fight for changes to close loopholes in state laws that jeopardize public safety. The two unions join 25 other public safety unions and organizations across Middlesex County — including the Cambridge, Somerville, Lowell, and Framingham Police Associations — endorsing Solet in his bid to unseat the 13-year incumbent in the Sept. 1 Democratic primary. Lt. Wayne Hoiseth, President of the Watertown Superiors Association, said: “In our line of work, trust is everything.

Development

City Council to Hold First Discussion of Watertown Square Project, Including a Parking Garage

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The proposed Demonstration Project in Watertown Square — which includes a parking garage, a residential building, retail space, and green open space — will be discussed by the City Council on Aug. 10 at the Watertown Library. See more information provided by the City of Watertown, below. The City Council, sitting as the Redevelopment Authority, is hosting a hybrid meeting to have an initial discussion regarding the Demonstration Project plan. We encourage you to join and participate in the meeting.

Government

Bodywork Businesses Shutdown by City, One Had “Items of Sexual Nature”

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Watertown Public Health Department, in collaboration with the Watertown Police Department, Zoning & Code Enforcement Team, Inspectional Services Division, and with assistance from the FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation — Human Trafficking Task Force, conducted inspections of bodywork establishments in Watertown on July 22, 2026, resulting in closure of multiple businesses due to violations of the City’s rules and regulations. These inspections were carried out in accordance with the City of Watertown’s rules and regulations governing bodywork with the goal of ensuring compliance to safeguard residents and businesses in Watertown, as well as protect against human trafficking. This joint operation was conducted at four establishments, resulting in all locations being shut down. One of the locations, Thai Body Spa (12 Belmont St.), was shut down due to items of sexual nature present, no Certificate of Occupancy, and no bodywork permit. The other three locations were closed down for failing to acquire appropriate certifications, including a Certificate of Occupancy and/or bodywork permit.