Around Town

Watertown’s First Eco Fest to be Held May 10 at the Commander’s Mansion

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The City of Watertown will be hosting the first Eco Fest on Saturday. See more information in the City’s announcement below. Come to Eco Fest on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from11am-2pm at the Commander’s Mansion, 44 Talcott Ave, to learn more about how you can reduce your energy use and support clean energy by talking to vendors and sitting in on our speaker sessions! For a complete list of vendors and activities, visit watertownecofest.com

Resilient Watertown Eco Fest Will Have Info on Making Life Greener, Fun for the Whole Family

Around Town

Nominations Open for Watertown Community Spirit Awards

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Contributed PhotoRecipients of the 2018 Community Spirit Awards, presented by the Watertown Youth Coalition. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Youth Coalition:

It’s that time of year again! Below is the link to nominate someone for a community spirit award. The Community Spirit Awards ceremony is an annual event honoring people committed to the health and well-being of Watertown’s youth and families. The event will be held at Filippello Park (191 Grove Street, Watertown, MA, 04272) on Wednesday, June 4th at 6 p.m. 

A little bit on the event for those who don’t know: 

People can be nominated for having done any of the following:

 * Served as a positive influence or mentor to a Watertown Youth Coalition member or to others in the community * Had the courage to address challenging issues that affect youth and the community * Has actively taken steps to improve the Watertown community (in big and small ways)

Please complete your nominations by the end of the day Thursday, May 22nd 

CSA Nomination Form

Around Town

Fitness Studio Hosting Annual Mother’s Day Bootcamp & Shampoo Drive

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Watertown’s Get Lively Health & Fitness has a special event planned for Mother’s Day. See information in the announcement from Get Lively below. Join us for our annual Mother’s Day Bootcamp and Shampoo drive! 

Date: May 10, 2025

Time: 9:00am–10:00am

Location: 25 Clarendon Street, Watertown

In lieu of class fee, please bring a new shampoo and conditioner, which we will assemble into gift bags to support women in need in our Community. Gifts will be distributed at the Watertown Food Pantry.  

Please feel free to bring someone with you. Whether you’re a mother to humans, animals, plants, or you’re simply the mother in your own life, we’d love to have you join us for this all levels class while supporting our local community.

Around Town

Mt. Auburn St. Project: Electrical Conduit Installation Continues Closer to Watertown Square

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During the week of May 5 to May 9, 2025 the work being done by Newport Construction on Mt. Auburn Street includes electrical conduit installation for three areas: at Common Street, Irving Street/Palfrey Street, and between Bates Road and Garfield Street. See the information provided by the City of Watertown below. Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts

During this work, you can expect temporary lane shifts and possibly lane closures, but one travel lane in each direction will remain on Mount Auburn Street. Work will take place on the sidewalks, but they will remain open and accessible.

Around Town

The Evolution of Watertown Pride 2022 to Today, Celebration Planned for June 1

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The following piece was provided by the Watertown Pride Committee:

In June 2025, Watertown Pride will kick-off its fourth consecutive year of celebrations, fostering unity and diversity in Watertown and beyond. With a parade, festival, and much more planned throughout June, Watertown’s celebration this year would not be possible without the hard work and insights of all those involved in the years prior. In 2022, the staff of the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) wanted to respond to the longing people were feeling for connection, especially as we all were slowly coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and ready to see our neighbors face to face. The city’s LGBT+ community were not immune to these feelings, not only coping with feelings of social isolation, but also facing the unfortunate reality that Boston Pride had been cancelled that year. WFPL is a major catalyst in the community, and part of its mission is to create connection and community through its services, materials, programs and more.

Around Town

Community Foundation Kicks Off Annual Watertown Helps Out on May 1

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

Would you like to join your neighbors and give back to Watertown? With the support of local company sponsors, their employees, the City of Watertown, and people who live all over Watertown, the Watertown Community Foundation is organizing Watertown Helps Out for the 11th year. During a month of community service all through May, the Watertown Community Foundation will connect hundreds of volunteers to projects our local non-profits need help getting done. “Watertown Helps Out, affectionately called WHO, began in 2014 to bring the Watertown community together after the trauma of the Marathon bombing and the aftermath here in Watertown. What started as a single day of community service has become a month-long event involving hundreds of community and corporate volunteers who work together to help Watertown,” said Tia Tilson, Executive Director of the Watertown Community Foundation.

Around Town

Drivers Will Have to Start Paying to Charge Electric Vehicles at City’s Charging Stations

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The City of Watertown announced changes to the policy of charging EVs at City-owned charging stations. Starting on May 1 drivers will have to pay to charge at the stations located in City and school lots. See the details below:

Parking at an EV Charging Station

Beginning on May 1, 2025, users of the City of Watertown’s EV charging stations will be charged a rate of $0.25 per kWh to charge their vehicle. The City of Watertown owns 29 EV charging stations across the city for public use, located at:

Watertown Free Public Library parking lot – 4 plugs

Howard Street Parking Lot – 6 plugs

Lowell Elementary School – 1 plug but restricted to school staff during the day

Cunniff Elementary School – 3 plugs but restricted to school staff during the day

Hosmer Elementary School – 6 plugs but restricted to school staff during the day

Department of Public Works – 8 plugs (open to public 5pm – 6am)

The income gathered will go toward the City’s sustainability goals in the future. The EV charging stations at the three elementary schools (Lowell, Cunniff, and Hosmer) will be open to the public outside of school hours, from 6pm – 6am.

Around Town

Historical Society Joining Browne House for 2 Upcoming Events

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The Browne House, built in 1698, is the oldest standing house in Watertown. The following announcement was provided by the Historical Society of Watertown:

The Historical Society of Watertown is joining with the Browne House for 2 upcoming events:

Community on the Lawn at Browne House, Watertown

562 Main Street, Watertown

Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Join Historic New England and local cultural organizations for an afternoon of history, culture, and connection. Explore the Browne House, enjoy family-friendly activities and lawn games, browse books at the mobile library, and meet your neighbors as we celebrate Watertown’s rich heritage. Participating organizations include:

Watertown LibraryHistorical Society of WatertownWatertown Public Arts & CultureThe Pigsgusset InitiativeCharles River Museum of Industry and InnovationGore Place

Tour the 2 Oldest Houses in Watertown on the Same Day

Sunday, June 15, 2025

The Browne House (c. 1698) at 562 Main Street, Watertown

Tours at 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00 noon

(Free for Watertown Residents)

The Edmund Fowle House (1772) at 28 Marshall St, Watertown

Tours at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m.

(Free that day for Watertown Residents)