Elections

Gov. Healey Endorses State Sen. Will Brownsberger for Re-Election

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Will Brownsberger

The following announcement was provided by the Will Brownsberger Campaign:

Governor Maura Healey announced her support for State Senator Will Brownsberger in his re-election effort. Brownsberger represents the Suffolk and Middlesex district, consisting of Belmont, Watertown, West Cambridge, Allston, Brighton, and Fenway. “Senator Brownsberger’s leadership has been a crucial part of so much of our state’s progress in the last decade, and we need him back on Beacon Hill next year,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I’ve been proud to work with him on everything from making our communities safer to driving economic growth, and he played an instrumental role in helping the Affordable Homes Act across the finish line to build more housing and lower costs. I’m grateful for his partnership, and I’m proud to support his re-election.”

“Governor Healey has been a friend and partner in securing real progress to lower costs and deliver results for people across my district and all across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Brownsberger, “I am grateful for her support in this election, and I’m excited to get to work to re-elect her and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll this November.”

Senator Brownsberger and Governor Healey have worked closely on a number of efforts to improve the district and the state as a whole, including the passage of the Mass Leads Act, which invested $400 million to drive economic development through investments in the AI, climatetech, and life sciences sectors, and their partnership was instrumental in passing the historic $5.16 billion Affordable Homes Act to increase the supply of homes to bring down costs.

Government

City Has $4M Left from Elementary School Projects, Which Will Go to High School & Middle School Projects

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Cunniff Elementary School is one of three elementary schools in Watertown to be rebuilt or renovated. The projects closed out with a combined surplus of $4 million. The new school opened in 2021. (Photo by Watertown Public Schools)

Watertown’s elementary school building projects finished with a surplus of more than $4 million, which will allow the high school construction project to stay on budget, and fund designs for a potential new middle school. On Tuesday night, the City Council approved transfers of the $4,052,660 left over from the construction of the new Cunniff and Hosmer elementary schools, and the renovation and expansion of Lowell Elementary School.

Government

Watertown Hires New Assistant City Manager for Community Development & Planning

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Watertown City Manager George Proakis announces that Kennan Rhyne, AIA, AICP, will be the City’s new Assistant City Manager for Community Development and Planning. Rhyne is an experienced municipal planner and architect who brings to Watertown an impressive background of leading and contributing to complex planning projects across the region. She most recently served as Principal of her own consulting firm since 2023, where she advised the cities of Boston, Lowell, Quincy, and many other cities and towns on projects related to land use planning, zoning, urban design, and public policy. Rhyne previously served as Deputy Director for Comprehensive Planning in Boston’s Planning and Development Agency, including a stint as Interim Director of Planning in 2022. During her time with the City of Boston, she conducted extensive planning studies that addressed housing needs, economic development, climate resiliency, transportation, and open space.

Government

Members of Congress Get a Look Inside Watertown’s School Lunch Program, School Farming Class

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Congresswoman Katherine Clark and Congressman Jim McGovern have lunch with Hosmer School second-graders Maya and Daphne. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A pair of enthusiastic Hosmer Elementary School ambassadors showed two members of Congress around their school Wednesday, ending with a meal cooked up by the school cafeteria staff that featured produce grown in Watertown High School’s hydroponic farm. Congressman Jim McGovern and Congresswoman Katherine Clark visited Watertown as part of McGovern’s End Hunger Now Tour of Massachusetts, in support of the bill he filed on Capitol Hill to increase the amount of federal funding for school breakfasts and lunches. Hosmer second-graders Maya and Daphne guided the two members of Congress through the hallways, into classrooms, through the media center, up and down stairs, and finally through the lunch line in the cafeteria. Watertown City Council President Mark Sideris, left, speaks with Congresswoman Katherine Clark and Congressman Jim McGovern during their tour of Hosmer Elementary School, led by Maya and Daphne.

Elections

LETTER: As State Sen., Daniel Lander Will Fight for More Permanently Affordable Housing

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For the first time since 2011, we have two candidates for State Senate whose records and priorities we can actually compare. 

On State Legislature transparency, the rights and opportunities of the most marginalized, consistent support for State House staff to unionize, and his “fighting head on” approach to our dire housing affordability crisis — I am sure of where Daniel Lander will be leading us as State Senator. 

He will be at the forefront of the fight for more permanent affordable housing and, because he understands its urgency, it will remain one of his top priorities. And he understands that while more market rate housing is vital, alone it will not help affordability. Daniel’s track record shows his commitment and ability to get down to brass tacks and work on many fronts so that people can afford to live where they choose. For example, Daniel will actively advocate for social housing in Massachusetts — publicly owned, mixed-income developments built in partnership with housing authorities and nonprofit developers. Models like Willow Park right here in Watertown show how this works, giving cities the tools to create permanently affordable housing for low- and middle-income households.

Government

Sen. Brownsberger Seeks Summer Interns, Hosting MassHealth Changes Webinar

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Will Brownsberger

State Sen. Will Brownsberger announced that his office seeks applications for summer internships, and his office will be hosting an information session about changes to MassHealth. See more info in the announcement from the Senator’s office, below. Summer internships

The Office of Senator Will Brownsberger is accepting applications for part-time, unpaid internships for the summer of 2026. Applications are due Monday, April 6. Read our website post for details about the internships and how to apply.  Contact me at anne.mazzola@masenate.gov with any questions.

Government

See the Date for the Next Newton Corner Long-Term Planning Study Meeting

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Please be advised the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will host the fourth Working Group meeting of the Newton Corner Long-Term Planning Study virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

The Newton Corner I-90 Exit 127 (formerly Exit 17) Interchange is a major local and regional connecting point in Greater Boston’s transportation network. The interchange is known for frequent, severe congestion, and is designated a high crash location. MassDOT’s Office of Transportation Planning is carrying out this long-term planning study to develop and evaluate future travel conditions and alternatives for the interchange and its environs. 

At this meeting, the study team will review feedback from the second Public Information Meeting, present draft alternatives, and discuss the evaluation criteria for alternatives analysis. This will include a discussion with members of the Working Group. The meeting materials will be available after the meeting on the study website. 

While this is a Working Group meeting and will be conducted as such, per open meeting law this meeting is also open to the public. 

For more information, please visit the study’s website: https://www.mass.gov/newton-corner-long-term-planning-study . These meetings are accessible to people with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. Accessibility accommodations and language services will be provided free of charge, upon request, as available.

Government

City to Give Update on Watertown Square Project at Public Meeting

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown invites you on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 6 p.m. to the Watertown Free Public Library (123 Main St.) for a community meeting about the latest updates with the implementation of the Watertown Square Area Plan. Join and hear a presentation from City Manager George Proakis on the latest developments, plans, and questions from the City, including:

A review of the current steps implementing the Watertown Square Area Plan’s vision. Strategies for the future of the public parking lot behind CVS. An introduction into the Demonstration Project and Urban Revitalization Plan. An overview of private-public partnerships, what they are, and why they matter in this project.