Government

Closures in Watertown for the Juneteenth Holiday

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The City of Watertown’s facilities will be closed Friday for the Juneteenth holiday. See more information from the City of Watertown, below. City Hall, the Parker Building, Department of Public Works Offices, the Senior Center and the Watertown Free Public Library are closed on Friday, June 19, 2026, in observance of Juneteenth.Please be aware that due to the Juneteenth holiday on Friday, trash and recycling pickup will be delayed one day after the holiday. The pickup schedule for the week is Monday, June 15-Thursday, June 18, 2026, and Saturday, June 20, 2026. A holiday postpones pickup by one day.

Elections

State Senate Candidate Endorsed by Working Families Party

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

Daniel Lander announced today that his campaign was endorsed by the Working Families Party, demonstrating his commitment to building a status quo that fights for working people in Massachusetts. The endorsement highlights Daniel’s vision for a Massachusetts where everyone can build a good life. “I am so honored to earn the endorsement of the Working Families Party. This endorsement makes it clear that I am the only candidate in this race who will stand up for working people in Massachusetts and fight to challenge the broken status quo on Beacon Hill.

Around Town

Inside the City’s 311 Service Center, Where Staff Fields the Public’s Questions, Requests & More

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311 Service Center staff — Constituant Service Director Laura Murray (left) and Constituent Services Representative Stephanie Owens — outside their office City Hall. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Inside a small office in the back corner of City Hall sits the heart of Watertown’s 311 Service Center. The two-woman operation fields calls, texts, emails, and other messages about potholes, people trying to reach a City employee, and occasionally to report something strange they have just witnessed. The system is called 311 because that is the number people can call from within the City limits. In late 2023, Laura Murray came in as Constituent Services Director to turn the old See-Click-Fix program into a one-stop customer services center for residents, businesses, and others.

Government

Lawmakers Discuss Changes to Health Care System, Including State Rep. John Lawn

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State Representative John Lawn spoke on a panel about primary care reform at the 2026 Health Equity Trends Summit at UMass Boston on June 2. (Photo credit: Piper Brown Photography)

Watertown State Rep. John Lawn joined a panel of lawmakers speaking about trends in health care in a time when federal policies are changing the system. See more information in the announcement from Health Care Compact, below. The Health Equity Compact convened Massachusetts policymakers and leaders at its 2026 Health Equity Trends Summit on June 2, 2026, at UMass Boston, where new approaches to advancing health equity for marginalized communities were discussed at a time when restrictive federal policies are limiting and reshaping access to coverage and care. 

The daylong Summit featured notable speakers and panelists pressing for health systems change and deepening community investments by creating alignment on possible pathways to progress, including supporting enactment of “An Act to Advance Health Equity” and other legislation, protecting health care access for recently uninsured individuals, reforming primary care, and promoting community health workers. The event concluded with a move to action, providing health leaders with tangible next steps for activating the topics in their respective communities across the Commonwealth.

Business

Coolidge Square Businesses Navigating Sidewalk Work During Mt. Auburn Street Project

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Caution tape blocks off an area of sidewalk under construction in Coolidge Square in early June 2026. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Last week, looking out the window of her business, Artemis Yoga owner Liz Padula saw orange cones, yellow caution tape, gravel, and signs saying “no parking” and “sidewalk closed.” The construction zone — in front of the studio and other businesses on the block between Arlington Street and Bigelow Avenue — is part of the Mt. Auburn Street Project. In an effort to keep clients coming in, she decided to make some social media.

Government

Applicants Wanted to Serve on City Boards and Committees

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

City Manager George Proakis announced he seeks residents to serve on the Conservation Commission, the Environment & Energy Efficiency Committee, the Historic District Commission, and the Stormwater Committee. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Make a Difference, Join a Committee, Board or Commission

City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the following Committees, Boards or Commissions. Vacancies as of June 11, 2026

Conservation Commission

Environment & Energy Efficiency Committee

Historic District Commission

Stormwater Committee

Visit the Boards and Commissions page to learn more. 

Access the Universal Application.

Government

New Middle School Moves a Step Closer to Reality; Council Approves Funds for Parks Projects

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A vision of what a new Watertown Middle School could look like created by Ai3 Architects and presented to the School Committee in October 2025. The possibility of building a new Middle School in Watertown moved a step closer to becoming a reality at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The Council also approved funding for projects at City parks, the library, Police Station, and for Watertown’s Treaty Day celebration. On June 9, the Council approved a $3 million transfer of funds from the Middle School Stabilization Fund to pay for the design development of a possible Middle School. City Manager George Proakis stressed that the Council is still deciding whether or not to proceed with the project.

Elections

State Senate, State Rep. Candidates Endorsed by Housing Group

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Abundant Housing Massachusetts announce the endorsement of a pair of candidates running to represent Watertown in the State Legislature. See information in the announcement from AHMA, below. Suffolk and Middlesex Senate District

Abundant Housing Massachusetts (AHMA) has announced its endorsement of Senator William Brownsberger for reelection to the State Senate representing the Suffolk and Middlesex district. Founded in 2020 to advocate for the creation of abundant housing for all, AHMA works to develop and support a network of grassroots, pro-housing groups and activists across Massachusetts. As part of its mission, AHMA surveys candidates in local races statewide and supports those who share its commitment to building more homes in their communities. 

“AHMA is proud to endorse Senator Brownsberger in his reelection campaign for State Senator,” said Jesse Kanson-Benanav, executive director of AHMA.