Government

Council Update: FY26 Budget, Hometown Hero, Police Dog & More

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On April 8, 2025, City Council heard the City Manager’s FY26 budget presentation, recognized a hometown hero, heard updates on BERDO, the referral of the Demolition Delay Ordinance for review, and met the new Watertown Police dog. See the highlights of the meeting provided by Municipal Policy Analyst Doug Newton

City Council Newsletter 

Please see below for the city council’s newsletter for its meeting on April 8, 2025. You can view the video recording of the meeting here.  

Mary Barry Honored as a Hometown Hero

Mary Barry, a lifelong resident of Watertown who served as a volunteer in the food pantry for over thirty years, a Parent Teacher Association member for twenty years, among many other roles such as Town Meeting Member, Brownie Girl Scout Leader, and Election Worker in Precinct Three, was honored with a proclamation at Tuesday’s council meeting as a Hometown Hero. 

Mary spoke after receiving the proclamation and expressed that she wishes the rest of the world could be more like Watertown. The full proclamation can be read here.  

Manager Presentation of FY26 Budget

The significant majority of Tuesday’s meeting consisted of City Manager George Proakis presenting his FY26 budget to the council. The presentation given by the manager can be viewed here, and his full FY26 budget can be accessed here. 

The submitted budget contains expenditures totaling $223,660,433.

Entertainment

Register to Perform in, Host Musicians in Watertown Porchfest; Deadline Approaching

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown Porchfest:

Watertown Porchfest will return to porches, lawns, and driveways on Saturday, May 17th, 2025, with extended hours from 12-6 p.m.! Last year, Watertown residents and organizations had over 70 locations and hosted over 150 performance groups, bringing music to an estimated audience of 1500 people. Registration for venues (“porches”) and performers will close on April 25th. If you are undecided or for more information, check out the details online at www.watertownporchfest.org. It is free to register and free to attend the event. Porchfest is an afternoon of free music (and other performances) performed outside of people’s homes – on porches, patios, driveways, and lawns. Businesses and organizations are welcome to host too.

Around Town

CatholicTV Broadcasting Holy Week Services

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Watertown-based CatholicTV Network will be broadcasting services on Palm Sunday and during Holy Week. See information from the network, below. Celebrate Palm Sunday — and Holy Week — with us! 

This Sunday is Palm Sunday, and there is much more to this solemnity than waving palm branches at church or making crosses out of them! This day marks the beginning of the most important week of the Church calendar: Holy Week.On Palm Sunday, we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem—a joyful moment laced with the sorrow of his looming Passion. But we also remember how the story ends: with Christ’s ultimate triumph over sin and death through His Crucifixion and Resurrection. Join us for Mass on Palm Sunday and pray with us throughout Holy Week as we look forward to Easter!

Entertainment

Watertown Filmmaker’s Documentary “Recovery City” Showing at West Newton Cinema

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The documentary, Recovery City, directed by Watertown filmmaker Lisa Olivieri will be screening at West Newton Cinema on April 25 at 6:30 PM as part of the Local Spotlight Series. There will be a Q&A with Olivieri and the film’s participants following the film. See more information about the film provided by the Recovery City Team. “This is a film about women in recovery. This is the comeback story.” Watertown-based filmmaker Lisa Olivieri is thrilled to announce that her latest documentary, Recovery City, will be screening at the West Newton Cinema as part of the Local Spotlight Series.

Entertainment

YardArt Watertown Hosts Artworks & Events Through April

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The following announcement was provided by YardArt Watertown:

YardArt, a month-long outdoor citywide art exhibition taking place in Watertown, has returned for a fifth year this April. Nearly one hundred artworks are on display at homes throughout the city and in public exhibitions at Commander’s Mansion and Gore Place. YardArt is a community celebration of the inventiveness and the creativity in us all. Displayed pieces showcase the work of professionals, amateurs, hobbyists, adults, children, and students of all ages. Works include sculptures, mobiles, painted and covered materials, lighting displays, and art of all types and sizes.

Entertainment

Catch the 12th Annual Watertown MusicFest on April 11

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Watertown MusicFest will be held at Watertown Middle School on April 11, with musicians of different ages and a wide variety of styles. See more in the announcement from the Friends of Watertown Music below. Friends of Watertown Music invites you to our 12th Annual MusicFest this Friday, April 11th. Doors open at 5:15 pm and performances start promptly at 5:30 pm! Come celebrate music with us!

Government

City Announcement: Understanding Your Electricity Choice

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By Silas Fyler|City of Watertown’s Assistant Director for Energy Management

In many Massachusetts communities, residents have options when it comes to how they get their electricity supply. All of us receive a bill from Eversource that includes a cost for electricity delivery and electricity supply. We have no choice in who delivers electricity to our homes and businesses. In Watertown, that is always Eversource. But we do have a choice in who we pay for our electricity supply.

Around Town

Watertown Business Coalition Coffee Connect at City Hall

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Business Coalition:

The Watertown Business Coalition and Watertown Events Team Present a Coffee Connect at City Hall on April 16. What a great opportunity to connect with our neighbors, local small business, local employees and friends of the WBC and City Government. Enjoy coffee and light bites while enjoying conversation with old friends and new faces. Attendance is FREE and is open to Watertown Residents, local businesses & employers as well as those who come to work in Watertown for the day. We’d love to see you! WHERE: Watertown City Hall, 149 Main St. – Council Chambers

WHEN: Wednesday, April 16 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Click here to register