Around Town

Water Customers Can Access City’s Water Meter Customer Portal

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Residents can now check on their water usage on the City’s Water Meter Customer Portal. See more details provided by the City of Watertown below. Watertown’s Water Meter Customer Portal is LIVE! Residents can now track their water usage every day on the customer portal, where you can set usage thresholds and receive alerts.All you need to sign-up is your email address, water meter account number (which can be found on your most recent water bill), and a cell phone number if you wish to receive alerts (optional)! Visit the Water Meters page to learn more and sign-up. This portal is accessible for those with the new smart water meters that were installed as part of the City’s water meter replacement project, which began in 2023.Sign up today with your water account info to easily stay on top of your water usage.For questions about the new portal, your water meter account number, or how to sign-up, please call 311 in Watertown, or 617-715-8660.

Around Town

DCR Opening Dealtry Pool Soon, Offering Learn to Swim Program

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The DCR’s Dealtry Pool in Watertown. The Dealtry Pool on Pleasant Street in Watertown will be opening for the season on June 21. More information about pool hours, the learn to swim program and lifeguard openings can be seen below. Pool Opening

The City of Watertown sent out social media posts saying that, according to the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) website, the Dealtry Memorial Swimming Pool in Watertown will be open from Saturday, June 21, 2025 – Sunday, August 17, 2025, between 11:15 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.

If you have questions about the pool, please contact the DCR Community Relations team at mass.parks@mass.gov or 617-626-4973. Learn to Swim, Life Guard Openings

The DCR sent out the following information:

As part of the agency’s ongoing work to promote water safety at state beaches and pools, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation (DCR) is once again offering free swim lessons to children at DCR pools across the state through its Learn to Swim program.

Around Town

Film “Tragic Awakening” Being Screened by Jewish Watertown Action Network

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The following announcement was provided by the Jewish Watertown Action Network:

The Jewish Watertown Action Network invites you to attend a showing of the film Tragic Awakening on Tuesday June 24 at 7 p.m. in the Watertown Savings Bank Room at the Watertown Free Public Library. Given the recent murder of a Jewish/Israeli couple in Washington DC and the attempted murder of several Jewish community members in Boulder, reflecting on anti-Semitism in our own community becomes more urgent. Tragic Awakening examines anti-Semitism since October 7, 2023 as well as its historical roots and how it morphs over time. 

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged here or via the QR code on the flyer. Questions or interested in joining our list? Email JWAN02472@gmail.com.

Environment

Group Calls for Legislature to “Cut the Crap,” Support Bill to End Sewage Flows into the Charles River

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The Charles River Watershed Association announced that the bill asking to end sewage overflows that drain into the Charles River. There are 10 places where sewage can mix with stormwater and flow into the river, according to the CRWA. None are in Watertown, but one is near Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge and another is in Brighton near the Harvard athletic fields. The bill will be heard by the State Legislature on June 17.

Around Town

More Drainage Work on Mt. Auburn Street This Week

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Construction crews will continue installation on drainage on Mt. Auburn Street during the week of June 16. See more information in the announcement from the City of Watertown below. Beginning Monday, June 16, 2025, Newport Construction will resume drainage installation on Mount Auburn Street between Kimball Road and Lloyd Road. Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts

During this work, you can expect temporary lane shifts and possibly lane closures, but one travel lane in each direction will remain on Mount Auburn Street.

Entertainment

See Who’s Playing at the 2025 Summer Concert Series; Join the WaterTunes Project

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The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

The City of Watertown is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated return of its annual Summer Concert Series at Saltonstall Park (149 Main St.), kicking off on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. This beloved community event promises ten weeks of free, diverse musical performances, taking place every Wednesday throughout July and August from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, immediately following the popular Watertown Farmers Market. This year’s lineup features an exciting array of local and nationally recognized talent, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy:

July 2: Classic Groove – Led by Steve Tashjian, Classic Groove will kick off the series with their versatile repertoire spanning R&B, Top 40, Smooth Jazz, Latin, Country, Swing, Middle Eastern, Show Tunes, Blues, and Motown. Special guest vocalist Concetta will join them. July 9: Lightning Rising – A Watertown-based classic rock band, Lightning Rising will bring the best of 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s music with expert musicianship and layered harmonies.

Entertainment

Small Saves Shakes Off a Tough Game in This Week’s Comic

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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.”

Letters

OP-ED: Using Our Noggins — AI and Meme Coin

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Dear Editor,

Several weeks ago, a Microsoft update included an Artificial Intelligence (AI) software called CoPilot. In teletype fashion, Copilot depicted itself as being my personal AI Assistant. My first thought was a virus had taken over my laptop. I am familiar with help from Geek Squad where, depending on the service required, you must approve access to your computer. I may have overlooked a message; however, I did not recall seeing a prior message regarding implementation of Copilot. The Chat between Copilot (AI) is very similar to the exchange in purchasing an item online. My first communication or formal interaction was typing a question asking what is Copilot.