Government

Revitalization of Watertown Square on City Council’s Agenda

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The future of Watertown Square will be discussed at the City Council’s meeting on Sept. 2. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The City Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, where the revitalization of Watertown Square will be discussed. The meeting description on the agenda says:

Informational presentation by our Watertown Square Revitalization Plan Consultants, Innes Land Strategies, to outline the role of a redevelopment authority and to lay the groundwork for the work they will undertake over the next year.

Environment

High Schoolers Can Apply to be Part of State Youth Climate Council

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Massachusetts State House

The Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience seeks applicants from from high school students for the Youth Climate Council. Rising sophomores through seniors are eligible to apply. The Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience announcement reads:

We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2025-2026 Youth Climate Council! This is an incredible opportunity for passionate and driven young individuals from across the state to engage with each other and the Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience on Massachusetts climate policy. YCC will meet monthly over Zoom from September 2025 through May 2026 with opportunities for in person events throughout the year.

Government

Watertown to Request Residential Tax Relief from State Legislature

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The City of Watertown will request permanent tax relief for residential property owners by sending a Home Rule Petition to the State Legislature for approval. The City currently has a three year tax relief which allows for the City to shift more of the burden of property taxes on to commercial, industrial and personal properties. For years, the City had been able to do a shift of 175 percent but due to a detail in the state law for tax shifts, it limited the amount that could be charged to residential properties. This combined with increasing values of commercial, industrial and personal properties means that Watertown has not been able to do the full 175 percent shift. City Manager George Proakis said that the City is limited by the state law that requires that the proportions of tax levy not exceed 38.76 percent for commercial, industrial and personal properties, which is the percentage when Watertown set the split tax rate.

Government

Watertown City Councilor Taking Job with City of Waltham

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Watertown City Councilor Emily Izzo has been appointed as an attorney with the City of Waltham. (Courtesy of Emily Izzo)

A Watertown City Councilor will get a look from the other side of municipal government when she takes a position as an attorney for the City of Waltham. District D Councilor Emily Izzo recently accepted a position as an Assistant City Solicitor in Waltham, reported the Waltham Times. She will begin on Sept. 2, 2025.

Government

UPDATED: Removal of Shade Trees on Mt. Auburn, Keith Street Approved by City Manager

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(CORRECTION: The story has been updated to include two areas where trees will be removed. The previous story only referenced Keith Street). A total of 17 shade trees off in East Watertown will be removed as part of the construction projects after City Manager George Proakis gave his approval. The trees to be removed include nine along Mt. Auburn Street as part of the reconstruction of the street and eight on Keith Street located on a property where a home is planned to be built.

The trees on Mt.

Around Town

State Rep. Lawn Plans to Run for Re-Election After Changing Plea in OUI Case

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State Rep. John Lawn

Watertown State Rep. John Lawn said he is planning to seek re-election the same week that he changed his plea in the driving under the influence of alcohol case, admitting in a Boston courtroom to sufficient facts on the charges. On July 19, during the St. Mary of Carmen Society’s 90th Italian-American Festival in Nonantum, Lawn said “I’m going to run again,” according to a report in the Fig City News. He represents the 10th Middlesex District, which includes parts of Watertown, Newton, and Waltham. Lawn presented a citation from the State Legislature during the festival in Newton, and said he was uplifted by the support he received from the attendees at the event, the report said.

Government

Council President to Republic: Trash Strike “Needs to Come to an End”

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Overflowing trash and recycling bins on Main Street during the trash strike. (Photo by Dean Martino)

City Council President Mark Sideris read a letter to the City Council Thursday night in which he calls on Republic Services to end of the trash strike, which began on July 1. The City Council voted to approve sending the letter. Sideris’ letter follows two letter sent by City Manager George Proakis and other municipal leaders to Republic. The last one was sent on July 10.

Around Town

City Will Begin Designing Watertown Square Soon, Construction Many Months Away

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Erika Jerram, the City of Watertown’s Director of Community Design, speaks to a group at a Watertown Business Coalition event. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

After a flurry of activity during the planning stages for Watertown Square, there has been a lull in the process. City officials said the action will begin again in the near future but the shovels won’t be hitting the ground for up to two years. Watertown’s Director of Community Design Erika Jerram provided an update on the status of the Watertown Square project during the Watertown Business Coalition’s coffee connect at Watertown Savings on July 16. The City Council and Planning Board approved the Watertown Square Area Plan in July 2024.