Government

City Council Will Hear from Department Heads at Three Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Hearings

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Watertown City Hall

The City Council will hold three hearings on the Fiscal Year 2025 Watertown City Budget beginning on Tuesday, May 20. See more information provided by the City below. In accordance with the Watertown City Charter and Council Rules, the Honorable City Council of the City of Watertown will meet, as the Committee of the Whole, for the purpose of holding public hearings on the City Manager’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026. Department Heads will be available for questions at the above scheduled hearings. Under this schedule, it’s anticipated that the City Council will take formal action on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget at its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

Entertainment

Contemporary Printmakers’ Work on Display at Mosesian Center for the Arts

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Lisa Barthelson’s “Random Remix I: Family Debris” is part of the latest exhibit at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:

At Mosesian Arts printmakers are combining traditional printmaking techniques with contemporary approaches. Contemporary Printmaking: From Tradition to InnovationDates: May 9–June 27, 2025Opening Reception: Thursday, May 29, 5:30–7:30 PM

The Mosesian Center for the Arts is excited to showcase work that uses at least one or more printmaking processes. Contemporary printmaking is both shaped by tradition and innovation. This exhibition explores the variety of ways that contemporary artists approach printmaking from employing traditional techniques to more alternative methods and materials.

Around Town

Russell Cooperative Preschool’s Spring Ramble Includes Marionettes, Games & Music

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The following announcement was provided by Russell Cooperative Preschool:

Mark your calendars and bring the whole family to one of Watertown’s most delightful springtime events! On Saturday, May 17, Russell Cooperative Preschool will host its annual Spring Ramble — a day packed with enchanting entertainment, live music, tasty food, and fun-filled games, all held on the grounds of the historic First Parish of Watertown at 35 Church Street. The Ramble will kick off at 11 a.m. inside First Parish with a free performance of “The Fairy Circus” by Tanglewood Marionettes — one of the region’s most beloved touring puppet theater companies. 

“The Fairy Circus” brings to life a delightful cast of fairy folk and forest creatures who perform circus tricks to the sounds of classical music. Expect beautifully hand-crafted marionettes, a dazzling display of miniature props, and an engaging storyline that will captivate children and adults alike. The 40-minute show is a perfect way to introduce young audiences to the magic of live performance in a whimsical and accessible way. After the puppet show, the Ramble continues from noon to 2 p.m. on the lawn of First Parish.

Around Town

See Where to Donate to Watertown Helps Out’s City-wide Food Drive

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The City-wide Food Drive to benefit Watertown’s two food pantries will be held from May 12 – 21, 2025. The following information was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation. Drop off non-perishables at local collection sites to stock Watertown’s Food Pantries. FOOD DRIVE COLLECTION SITES

Watertown Parker School Annex (124 Watertown Street)

Watertown Police Department

Watertown Free Public Library

Watertown Fire Station (564 Mt. Auburn Street)

Watertown Public School Students: Look for the collection box at your school

Spread the word.

Around Town

Creative Chats Features Artist Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

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The following announcement was provided by Matt Hanna, host of Creative Chats:

Matt Hanna of Little Local Conversations will lead the featured conversation with painter, printmaker, and collage artist Julie Fei-Fan Balzer. They’ll chat around a question that Julie has been spending time pondering on within the topic of creativity and the creative life. Creative Chats is a way to gather creative people face-to-face to mingle, hear a featured conversation on the topic of creativity and the creative life, and then engage in the conversation themselves in small groups. Little Local Conversations Presents Creative Chats!: With Guest Julie Fei-Fan Balze

Friday, May 16th, 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.

Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St. More info here (https://www.littlelocalconversations.com/events/creative-chats-with-guest-julie-fei-fan-balzer)

Come to get inspired, to reflect, and connect.

Letters

LETTER: Preserve the Shade Trees on Mt. Auburn Street

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Dear Mr. Micieli:

Removing urban street trees to facilitate so-called road improvements for the movement of pollution-belching behemoths challenges science and common sense in our time of crisis climate change. Scientists have documented the public health harm from tailpipe emissions, which is reduced significantly by the proximity of trees. Consider that urban street trees provide a canopy, root structure, and setting for important insect and bacterial life, an environment for songbirds, and a food source for urban wildlife. The importance of combatting increased temperature from climate change cannot be dismissed. Street trees lower temperature in urban areas where concrete, brick, and asphalt heat islands capture sunlight absorbing it into the pavement.

Obituaries

OBIT: Andrew Russo, 98, Grew Up in Watertown, Navy Seabee in World War II

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Andrew Russo

Russo, Andrew C. “Andy” of Arlington, died on May 4th at the age of 98. Beloved husband of the late Josephine A. (DiCecca) Russo. Loving father of Rosanne Rogers of Cape Elizabeth, ME, Andrew Russo of Littleton and Karen Moorehead and her husband, Michael of Warwick, RI. Dear grandfather of Justin Rogers, Jesse Moorehead, Brendan Rogers, Shane Moorehead and Kasey Moorehead. Brother of Thomas Russo, Eleanor Kallberg, David Russo and the late Francis Russo.

Schools

Watertown High School Teacher Named Massachusetts STEM Teacher of the Year

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Watertown High School chemistry teacher Liz Mundy was named Massachusetts STEM Teacher of the Year. (Contributed Photo)

A Watertown High School science teacher was recently honored as one of the two Massachusetts STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) teacher of the year by the New England Patriots. See the announcement from the Watertown Public Schools, below. The New England Patriots have named Watertown High School chemistry teacher Liz Mundy as one of their two Massachusetts STEM Teachers of the Year. Mundy was selected for her unwavering commitment to her students, her dedication to teaching, and her innovative work with CoLAB, a Watertown nonprofit where local life science professionals and high school educators collaborate to inspire students to pursue STEM careers.