Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/author/guest-writer/page/3/)
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.”
Watertown’s Got Talent has become an annual event at Arsenal Yards. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
The following information came form Arsenal Yards:
Think you got what it takes to be the 2025 Watertown’s Got Talent Superstar? Apply Now! Email us your talent description and video at hello@arsenalyards.com TODAY for a chance to compete! All applications are due by Monday, September 29th.
Joe Ganno
Providing a Voice for Families. Helping to Create a Shared Vision for the Future
Hi neighbors! I’m Joe Ganno, a lifelong Watertown resident, graduate of Watertown Public Schools, a father of two current Watertown students, and someone who deeply values fairness and community. I’m running for School Committee because I want to help develop the leaders of tomorrow today, by supporting every student, advocating for every family, and building on the progress the School Committee has made over the last few years. Our community and our children deserve leaders who listen, lead with integrity, and never stop trying to improve the services offered by the Watertown Public Schools.
Theo Offei
I feel lucky to live in Watertown. Five years ago, my wife and I moved our family here, to her childhood home, looking for connection, community, and a place to put down roots. We found all of that in abundance. From the start, I felt welcomed into this diverse, close-knit, and deeply engaged city. I’m running for Councilor At-Large to build on Watertown’s positive trajectory and add a fresh, underrepresented perspective to its leadership.
The City of Watertown’s Draft 2026-2030 housing plan puts grim numbers on what we all see everyday. Over the last 5 years, the number of Watertown households that qualify for income-restricted Affordable housing has increased by 23 percent. Roughly 2 out every 5 Watertown households have an income low enough to qualify for Affordable Housing in Watertown, yet there isn’t nearly enough affordable housing for those who need it.
To be sure, many factors influence the cost of construction and the potential for affordable housing. Interest rates and federal trade policy play major roles, here and across the country. But we also have tools at our disposal here in Watertown. It’s time to take a hard look at the policies we do control — particularly our current zoning.
The reality is that in most places across the city, our zoning — the rules that dictate what can be built, where, and by what process — makes it impossibly difficult and expensive for new affordable housing projects to be built. In the few places where our zoning is more permissive, like in Watertown Square, along Arsenal Street, and along Pleasant Street, our policies force non-profit affordable housing developers to compete with well-funded national developers for scarce land.
The following information was provided by the Wayside Multi-Service Center:
Staff Spotlight: Youth Engagement Specialist Christina Lupica. Since first joining the Wayside Multi, Christina has been a vital part of the Watertown community. She is dedicated to empowering youth through peer leadership, wellness groups, and programs focused on positive coping strategies as an alternative to substance use. Christina oversees the WYC and Peer Leadership Program, and she is also a member of W2B2 Youth Wellness Coalition and Watertown Anti-Bias Coalition. Additionally, she runs life-skills groups for 12-22 year olds in Watertown and Waltham through Community Innovations program.
Illustrations of the proposed residential project at 72 Mt. Auburn St. (By Neh-Koo-Dah)
The developers of a project at 72 Mt. Auburn St. will host a public meeting on Sept.
Watertown’s biggest celebration, the 2025 Faire on the Square, will be at Saltonstall Park on Saturday, Sept. 13 from noon to 5 p.m. See the highlights below. Over 120 local non-profit and business booths plus “Meet Your City” (see full list of participants at https://www.faireonthesquare.com/)
Free guest experiences:
live DJ
face painting with Watertown’s Public Arts and Culture Committee
photo booth
airbrush tattoo applications
WHS Robotics Team demonstrations
balloon artist
popcorn sponsored by Watertown Savings Bank
Animal Adventures show at 1pm
Enjoy lunch and dessert at the Food Court and check out this year’s new Cooking Competitions! Battle of the Bowls: Restaurant Chili Cook-Off presented by Roche Bros. at Arsenal Yards – free chili samples provided by Roche Bros while supplies last!