Around Town

National Grid to Host Customer Assistance Events in Waltham, Other Locations

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National Grid will host an informational meeting about how customers can get help managing their energy bills on April 14 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at McDevitt Middle School, 75 Church St. in Waltham. The meeting is one of dozens around Greater Boston. See details in the announcement from National Grid, below. National Grid will host a series of statewide Customer Assistance events during April 2026, with advocates visiting every region within the utility’s Massachusetts footprint.

Around Town

Watertown Business Coalition’s Quarterly Coffee Connect Coming to Commander’s Mansion

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The Watertown Business Coalition and the City of Watertown’s Events Team will co-host a Quarterly Coffee Connect at the Commander’s Mansion on April 15. See details in the announcement from the WBC, below. Join the Watertown Business Coalition and the City Events Team on Wednesday, April 15th from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. at the Commander’s Mansion for a morning of networking, coffee, a light breakfast generously provided by Panera Bread Catering, and samples from BesTEA. Hear from the City Events Team as they provide a sneak peek at the City’s Events for 2026 including EcoFest, Octoberfest at The Faire and more! We also look forward to hearing from Tia Tilson, Executive Director of the Watertown Community Foundation, who is our non-profit partner for this event. 

We can’t wait to see you there!

Around Town

LOCAL MEDIA DAY — Chamber: We’re Lucky — Let’s Not Take it for Granted

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April 9 is the inaugural Local Media Day, and the Charles River Regional Chamber reminded members of the role that news sites covering community news provide. Charles River Chamber President and CEO summed it up well in his message in the Chamber’s newsletter on Thursday morning. Watertown has not only the online news source, Watertown News, but also local cable news produced by Watertown Cable Access Television Corp., with newscasts Thursday evenings, along with coverage of City meetings, sports, and other events around town. If you don’t have cable, you can still watch live and on-demand online at wcatv.org. Watertown News depends on the support from advertisers, as well as donations from readers (including Patreon members).

Around Town

April Vacation Filmmaking Classes for Kids in Watertown

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FC Academy will run filmmaking classes for kids in Watertown during April Vacation. The Filmmakers Collaborative is offering FC Academy, filmmaking classes for children ages 10-14 in Watertown over April vacation. See more details in the announcement from the Filmmakers Collaborative. Presented by the creators of the Boston International Kids Film Festival, classes run from Tuesday-Friday, April 21-April 24, 9 a.m. to noon at Cunniff Elementary School, 246 Warren St., Watertown. The course costs $240.

Around Town

Watertown’s First Human Services Director Shaping New Department, New Home for Food Pantry

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Jenna Bancroft

Watertown’s first Human Services Director came to town after working for more than four years in Newton, but it was a homecoming of sorts. In her first several months on the job she has been in charge of not only establishing a brand new City department, but also creating a new home for the Watertown Food Pantry. In Newton, Bancroft served as the assistant director of Social Services, and became the director of that program. Those were her first jobs on the municipal side. Immediately prior to that she worked at the Wayside Multi-Services Center in Watertown, where she worked as a Social Services Resource Specialist (SSRS) for four years.

Around Town

Watertown Group Hosting Pair of Palestinian-Focused Films

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment:

The Palestine Committee of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment is this year offering a series of documentary and feature films that explores the history and culture of the Palestinian people and provides a picture of their life under Israeli occupation. Showings are scheduled through December on the second Sunday of each month, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 9 Russell Avenue, Watertown. A discussion will follow the presentation. Admission is free, and the church has a wheel-chair accessible entrance and restrooms. Contact watertowncitizens@gmail.com for more information. Please note that earlier film showings took place at 6 p.m. These films and future films will begin at 6:30 p.m. The April and May offerings are as follows:

SUNDAY, APRIL 12 at 6:30 PM: “THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB”

Written and directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” a docudrama, was first presented in September 2025 at the Venice International Film Festival.

Around Town

Part of School Street to Close This Week for Construction

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The roadway and sidewalks along a section of School Street off Mt. Auburn Street will be closed this week during installation of drainage and other work as part of the Mt. Auburn Street Project. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown. Drainage Installation & Test Pits

Crews will continue drainage installation and excavate test pits on School Street between Mount Auburn Street and Adams Avenue.

Around Town

Watertown Yard Waste Collection Resumes in April

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Watertown residents can leave their yard waste on the curb again beginning the week of April 6. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Yard waste collection is starting on Monday, April 6, 2026! Yard waste will be collected weekly on your scheduled trash day during the first three full weeks in April (April 6-25), and periodically throughout the months of May, June, July, and August. Weekly pickup will resume in September.