Letters

OP-ED: It’s All a Balancing Act, Part One: Housing and Environmental Issues

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

A quick overview:

In Part One of this series, we’ll explore housing disruption and environmental issues plaguing Watertown. In Part Two, we’ll look at the costs to the City of Watertown to maintain safe control over the Life Science industry and its effects on our community. In Part Three, we’ll look at how our community got into a position where in Watertown, a city well known for its fiscal responsibility, residential property taxes could soar to 18 percent higher by 2027. As I read the Watertown News article on a meeting to be held by the Charles River Regional Chamber, See: Meeting announcement and read Sam Ghilardi’s very upbeat report there on all of the wonders and advantages that life science and bio labs bring to Watertown, it occurred to me that something was missing … balance. In fairness, people writing reports with Sam’s stated goal: “to promote Watertown as a community of choice for the life science industry …” usually stay away from what might be considered the whole picture.

Around Town

First Parish Church Hosting Concert Benefiting Helen Robinson Wright Charitable Fund

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Charlie BreitroseFirst Parish Church of Watertown. First Parish Watertown will hold a benefit concert for the Helen Robinson Wright Charitable Fund. See details in the announcement provided by the church, below. The Helen Robinson Wright Charitable Committee joyfully announces the annual benefit concert on Saturday, March 21st at 7 p.m. David Rivera Bozon, tenor, will be singing A Night of Song, singing Classical, Broadway and Popular hits accompanied by Hector Vargas, piano. The Suggested donation is $30 for adults, $20 for students and families to be negotiated at the door.

Around Town

Belmont-Watertown UMC Hosting Musical Fundraiser for New England Justice for Our Neighbors

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The following announcement was provided by the Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church:

Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church presents its annual fundraising concert, “Hearts to Help,” in support of New England Justice For Our Neighbors (NEJFON), an agency which provides free legal services to low- and no-income immigrants. 

Enjoy a beautiful “Pops” program of contemporary music performed with choir and classical instruments covering the music of artists such as the Beatles and Michael Jackson. A special Piano-Four-Hand rendition of Queens “Bohemian Rhapsody” is featured. The concert is directed by Yilin You and will be held in BWUMC’s beautiful sanctuary. Refreshments will follow. There is a suggested donation of $25 with all proceeds going to NEJFON. 

Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church is located at 421 Common St., Belmont, MA See more at www.bwumc.org

Find out more about NEJFON at https://newenglandjfon.org/

Around Town

Watertown Porchfest Will be Back in May, Registration Open

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Porchfest returns to Watertown in May, and registration has opened. See more information in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Watertown Porchfest will return to porches, lawns, and driveways on Saturday, May 16, 2026, with performances running from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Following the massive success of previous years, which saw over 70 locations and nearly 150 performance groups, the 2026 event promises another day of community, creativity, and music

Key Information for 2026:

Event Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026

Event Hours: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Registration: Opens March 2, 2026

Cost: Free to register and free to attend

What to Expect

Porchfest is a grassroots community event featuring free music and performances hosted outside private homes, businesses, and organizations. Performers: All genres and styles are welcome, including solo acts, full bands, dance, and spoken word.

Entertainment

Aznavoorian Sisters to Playing Boston Debut Concert at the Armenian Museum of America

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The Armenian Museum is hosting the Boston area debut of the acclaimedAznavoorian Sisters (cellist Ani Aznavoorian and pianist Marta Aznavoorian) on March 28. The Armenian Museum of America recently announced the first Music in Color concert of the season featuring acclaimed cellist Ani Aznavoorian and pianist Marta Aznavoorian, making their Boston debut as a duo, on Saturday, March 28, at 7:00 p.m.

The concert will feature Armenian composers alongside classical repertoire. A highlight will be the Boston premiere of Peter Boyer’s “Mount Ararat,” written for the Aznavoorian Sisters. Additionally, the program will include compositions by Komitas, Brahms (Sonata for Cello and Piano in F Major, Opus 99), Avet Terterian (Sonata for Cello and Piano), and Paganini. The Music in Color program fosters meaningful engagement with the Museum’s exhibitions, inviting audiences to experience the rich tapestry of Armenian music and art.

Around Town

Recreation Department Looking at Starting Youth Field Hockey Program, Sent Out Survey

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The Watertown Recreation Department provided the following announcement:

Please fill out our Interest Survey

Watertown Recreation is exploring the possibility of launching a Youth Travel Field Hockey Team to join the Baystate Youth Field Hockey League in the Fall of 2026. Before moving forward, we’d like to gauge interest from families in the community. Your feedback will help us determine whether this program is viable. Proposed Program Structure

Grades 1–4

1 Practice Per Week

Sunday Morning Games (8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.) 

Grades 5–8

2 Practices Per Week

Sunday Morning Game (8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.) 

Estimated Cost: $150–$190 per playerhttps://forms.gle/7XhhAJhqNqqyqSxq7

Obituaries

OBIT: Donald Joseph “Don” Quinn, Watertown High Grad, Worked for 30 Years at Shipley Corp., Voice of Hudson Sports

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Donald J. Quinn

Donald Joseph “Don” Quinn July 17, 1941 – February 27, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Donald Joseph “Don” Quinn announces his passing after a short battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Born on July 17, 1941, in Watertown, Massachusetts, to the late Richard and Mary Quinn, Don lived a life defined by love, family, dedication, and community spirit. Don was a proud graduate of Watertown High School, Class of 1959, where he served as Student Council President. He was a standout three sport athlete, playing point guard on the basketball team, center field on the baseball team, and running back on the football team. Don went on to attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Obituaries

OBIT: Jane O’Connor, 79, Former Watertown Teacher & Principal, Helped Establish School for Girls in Rwanda

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Jane O’Connor

Jane Elizabeth (McCarthy) O’Connor, 79, of Watertown, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Patrick, 212 Main Street, Watertown. Visiting hours will be held in St. Patrick’s Church on Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.