Weather Forecast: Friday Showers Precedes Pleasant Labor Day Weekend

A frontal system brings one last chance of showers and storms Friday, followed by a stretch of dry, beautiful weather through the holiday weekend and into next week. Temperatures run slightly below average at first, with crisp mornings and comfortably warm afternoons, then gradually trend back toward the low 80s by midweek. Humidity stays moderate to low, making for a very pleasant start to September. Friday, August 29 – Showers and storms, then clearing

A cold front moves through the region. The morning begins partly sunny, but showers develop mid- to late morning, with embedded thunderstorms possible by midday into early afternoon.

Watertown Business Coalition Hosting the First Annual Pizza Fest

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Business Coalition:

Calling all pizza lovers! The Watertown Business Coalition (WBC) is thrilled to announce THE FIRST ANNUAL PIZZA FEST! From September 5 to 12, residents are encouraged to head to their favorite pizza spot and experience the great pizza served here in the City! 

Participating restaurants thus far include Bar ‘Cino, Gigi’s Pizza Co., Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Johnnie’s Pizza & Wings, Red Lentil Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant, Stella’s Pizza, Sevan Bakery, Little Family Pizza, West on Main, and Gerry’s Italian Kitchen. 

Participants can visit their favorite spots, and try some new ones, and then vote online. The winner will receive the Golden Slice trophy at the Faire on the Square, on Sept. 13 at Saltonstall Park.

MBTA Will Start Fare Checks, Warnings & Fines in September

Charlie BreitroseAn MBTA Bus on Mt. Auburn Street. The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announced that fare checks as the part of its Fare Engagement Program will soon begin within the subway system. Beginning September 8, Fare Engagement Representatives will begin issuing formal warnings and citations to riders who have not tapped at a fare gate or farebox. More information is available at mbta.com/FareCheck.  

“Our riders deserve a safe and reliable mass transportation system that is available for them when they need it.

Tour the Businesses of the West End & Victory Field During Walk N Talk

The Watertown Business Coalition and Live Well Watertown invite you to join the August Walk N Talk around the West End and also find out about the renovations going on at Victory Field. See more information from the WBC below. Take a look around the businesses of the West End of Watertown, Thursday, Aug. 28, 10 a.m.

We will meet at Quebrada Baking, 281 Orchard St. Please park on the street if you are driving.

Sidewalk Construction Continues on One Side of Mt. Auburn Street

Work this week on the Mt. Auburn Street Project includes construction of sidewalks and drainage work in the East End of town. See more information from the City of Watertown below. Curb Installation & Sidewalk Concrete Pouring

Curb installation and sidewalk concrete pouring will take place on the westbound side of Mount Auburn Street, between Belmont Street and Keenan Street, on Monday, August 25, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Details on travel and parking impacts are provided below. Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts

The westbound sidewalk will be closed for curb installation and sidewalk concrete pouring starting Monday, August 25, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. A bypass sidewalk on the westbound side will be opened up while this work is being completed.Traffic on Mount Auburn Street will be narrowed and you can expect lane shifts, however traffic will be maintained in both directions. Entrances to driveways and parking lots will be maintained.

Construction Beginning Soon at Victory Field Oval, Courts Area

The track, tennis courts and basketball courts at Victory Field will soon close until next year while Victory Field Phase II improvements are made. The City of Watertown sent out the following information. Construction at Victory Field is starting next week improve the track, grass field, tennis courts, basketball courts, and more. These areas will be closed to the public while work in on-going. Victory Field’s multi-purpose turf field will remain open, as will the playground along Orchard Street.

Health Department Received More Than 100 Rodent Complaints, Body Work Regulations Begin

Watertown’s Health Department has received more than 100 complaints about rodents since the beginning of the trash strike. At their meeting the Board of Health also heard about the start of the City’s body work regulations, and approved a life science company’s permit. A short Board of Health Meeting on Aug. 20 concluded without any conversation about newly proposed tobacco regulations, but did see a permit approval and some general Health Department updates. Talks about the regulations did not progress as Board of Health member Kim Netter was recovering from a medical issue so was unable to vote, and member Dominic Amirtharaj was not able to attend the meeting.

Weather Forecast: Warmer Days This Weekend, Rain Possible

Cooler than normal, low-humidity conditions continue through midweek before temperatures rebound into the weekend. A midweek storm system brings widespread rain, then Hurricane Erin passes well southeast of New England on Friday, producing no direct impacts inland but stirring up rough surf, rip currents, and gusty winds across Cape Cod and the Islands. For most of Eastern Massachusetts, the pattern turns warmer and drier over the weekend. Another front brings a chance of showers late Sunday into Monday, followed by a return to seasonable and pleasant late summer weather midweek. Friday, August 22 – Mostly sunny inland, windy for the Cape and Islands

Hurricane Erin passes far offshore, too distant for direct rain or wind inland.