Letters

LETTER: Short-Term Planning for Watertown Senior Center

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Dear City Councilors and School Committee Members,

At the most recent Council on Aging monthly meeting, City Manager, George Proakis discussed some of the capital projects he is recommending for funding approval by the City Council. The complete report was shared on January 27, 2026, and this letter will focus only on the short-term recommendations as outlined in the document labelled “Fiscal Year 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program” (CIP) which directly impact the Watertown Senior Center. The Council on Aging recognizes that there are many competing capital projects in Watertown. Among the projects funded by the capital budget are the upkeep, replacement and renovations of all city owned buildings and other property. Residents are well-aware that Watertown recently either replaced or significantly renovated the three elementary schools and is nearing completion of the new high school.

Schools

LEGAL NOTICE: Watertown Public Schools to Hold Public Hearing on Fiscal Year 2027 Budget

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Public Schools:

Legal Notice

WATERTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, 30 COMMON STREET, WATERTOWN, MA 02472 – In accordance with provisions of Chapter 71, Section 38N, the Watertown School Committee will hold a Public Hearing on its proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget, on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Learning Commons, Lowell Elementary School, 123 Lowell Avenue, Watertown, MA 02472, or via Zoom at https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/86275618951

A copy of the FY27 Proposed Budget will be available to the public in the Office of the Superintendent of Schools and on the Watertown Public Schools Website, www.watertown.k12.ma.us, forty-eight hours before the date of the public meeting.

Entertainment

Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s 2026-27 Season Features 2 Shows in Watertown

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Actors’ Shakespeare Project will produce four shows in the 2026-27 season. Two shows — one of the Bard’s classics plus a vampire comedy at Halloween time — will go on stage at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown. See what the company has in store next season in the announcement from ASP, below. Flipping the script on the classics. In a recent team brainstorm on how to best describe what Actors’ Shakespeare Project does best, this phrase distilled it perfectly.

Around Town

Drainage Installation and Work on Traffic Signals Planned This Week on Mt. Auburn Street

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During the week of March 16-20, the Mt. Auburn Street Project includes drainage installation and work on new traffic signal risers. See details provided by the City of Watertown, below. The Mount Auburn Street Complete Street Project is a MassDOT funded and managed initiative to fully reconstruct State Route 16, creating a safer, more accessible street for all users, whether traveling by car, bicycle, transit, or on foot. Below, you’ll find this week’s project update, including upcoming construction activities, anticipated traffic impacts, a look at the project’s final design in the area of work, and access to view more info on the projects history and details.

Around Town

Fallen Watertown Firefighter to be Honored on Anniversary of His Death

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Watertown Fire DepartmentFirefighter Joseph Toscano

The public is invited to honor a fallen Watertown Firefighter on the ninth anniversary of his line-of-duty death. See details provided by the Watertown Fire Department, below. On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 10:16 AM, the Watertown Fire Department will hold a remembrance ceremony honoring Firefighter Joseph A. Toscano on the ninth anniversary of his line-of-duty death. Firefighter Toscano was killed on March 17, 2017, while operating at a house fire at 29 Merrifield Avenue. The ceremony will take place at the Firefighter Joseph Toscano Memorial located at the corner of Bigelow Avenue and Merrifield Avenue.

Around Town

Watertown Recreation Offering April Vacation Programs, Sign Up Open

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Watertown Recreation will host a April Vacation Program from April 21 to 24. See details in the information from the Rec Department, below. Our April Vacation Program will offer participants the opportunity to be with friends in a fun and positive environment. Participants will be divided into groups by grade at the beginning of the program and will participate in various activities throughout the day such as sports, group games, movies, arts & crafts, special events/trips, with lunch break and snack break. Tuesday: A fun day filled with activities led by our staff!

Around Town

Hear High Schoolers’ Perspectives & Experiences at Community Forum

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment:

Come engage with students from Watertown High School in a community forum focusing on student perspectives and experiences. Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment will be featuring student voices at our next quarterly meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 8th from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Watertown Savings Bank room at the Watertown Free Public Library.  

The forum’s focus is to promote dialogue between high school students and community members. Students will highlight what is working for them in Watertown as well as what can be improved. The key question is “How can adults in Watertown support our youth?” Other questions that will be addressed include: What challenges/issues/concerns are young people facing in Watertown? How does Watertown provide support for young people? What do you want community members to know about youth today?  

Participants will be able to engage with students in small discussion groups. Community members are encouraged to register in advance and to include any questions for the students with your registration. Registration is encouraged, not required. The evening is free and open to all interested community members. Refreshments will be served. Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment (WCPJE) is a non-profit, community-based organization that works to protect the environment, promote sound environmental practices, oppose war and aggression, cultivate peace and security, and advocate for social and economic justice. For more information about WCPJE visit our website: https://watertowncitizens.org/.

Elections

State Senate Candidate Receives State House Staff Union Endorsement

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Daniel Lander. The following announcement was provided by The Lander Committee:

Daniel Lander announced his state senate campaign was endorsed by IBEW 2222 this week, marking his support for organized labor and for State House unionization efforts. In addition to representing thousands of workers across Greater Boston, IBEW 2222 represents State House employees organizing a staff union. 

“IBEW 2222 is proud to endorse Daniel Lander for MA State Senate, a candidate committed to supporting organized labor, and the only candidate in this race supporting the right of Legislative Staffers to organize,” said Kevin Holland, president of IBEW 2222. “We believe Daniel Lander will be a strong advocate for working people in the State Senate.”

Since they began organizing the union in 2019, State House staff have been working to improve low pay, lack of training, and a history of discrimination and harassment on Beacon Hill. Despite a majority of support from Senate staff, current Senator Will Brownsberger has consistently blocked efforts to voluntarily recognize the state house union. 

“I am proud to stand with legislative staff and with IBEW 2222 in their efforts to unionize the State House,” said Daniel Lander, Candidate for State Senate. “As a long time public servant and former union member, I recognize the vital role that staff play.