Around Town

Report on Southside of Town Has List of Buildings, Areas Places That Could Historically Preserved

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A study of the historic buildings in the area south of the Charles River was recently conducted by the City of Watertown. The report is intended to guide future historic preservation efforts in that area of town. The full report can now be viewed. The final report includes a list of buildings, as well as blocks of homes and buildings that have the potential for National Register eligibility. Individually eligible properties were: Casey Playground, 0 Watertown Street; Dalby Mill, 101-103 Morse Street; Adams-Keith Block, 129-147 Morse Street; Parker School, 124 Watertown Street; and Hibernian Hall, 153 Watertown Street.

Around Town

Community Preservation Funds Approved for 2 Affordable Housing Projects & Work at the Commander’s Mansion

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A rendering of the affordable Willow Park affordable housing complex. Funding for a home for adults with special needs, to help build a 138 unit affordable housing complex, and to replace the elevator at a historic home owned by the City of Watertown were approved by the City Council Tuesday night. The three projects came recommended from the Community Preservation Committee. The funds come from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) surcharge on Watertown properties, which are to be spent in three areas: affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space/outdoor recreation. For each area, 10 percent of the funds collected go into a reserve.

Around Town

Watertown Updating FEMA Mitigation Plan, Public Can Take Survey

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The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

The City of Watertown is updating its FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plan to assess its vulnerability to natural hazards and identify strategies to increase the resilience of our community, infrastructure, and natural resources. Please join the upcoming presentation to the Committee on Public Works at their meeting on Dec. 15, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Watertown City Hall (149 Main Street), or by watching online. See the agenda for the meeting details. Also, please take the community survey associated with this project to help inform and support the project team through this process! More information about the info can be found here https://watertownma.portal.civicclerk.com/event/8203/files/agenda/12425

Around Town

Lane Shifts & Parking Restrictions on Parts of Mt. Auburn St. This Week

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The Mt. Auburn Street Project includes line striping and tree removal from Dec. 9-12 and there will be lane shifts for motorists and parking restrictions in the areas of the work. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Temporary Traffic Line Striping

Crews will be working overnight on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, beginning at 7:00 PM to adjust and complete the temporary traffic line striping on Mount Auburn Street between the Cambridge line and Arlington Street.

Around Town

Local Podcast Features Jon Hecht, Head of the Mosesian Center, a Documentary Filmmaker, Restaurant Owner & an Author

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The Little Local Conversations podcast focuses on people, places, stories of Watertown, and recently host Matt Hanna sat down with former State Rep. and political activist Jon Hecht, the Mosesian Center for the Arts’ new executive director, and a filmmaker who calls Watertown home. In addition, he spoke with the owner and chef of Ritcey East; and a first time author and long time a community volunteer. He also got the latest local government update. Episode 68: Jon Hecht (Political Activist / Former Town Councilor and State Representative)

Jon Hecht

Meet Jon Hecht! He’s a longtime contributor to the Watertown community from being a town councilor, a state representative for the area, the first president of the Watertown Community Foundation and many other involvements.

Business

Watertown Restaurant to Close After 50+ Years, 2 New Eateries Opening in Town

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China Rainbow

A fixture on the Watertown eating scene, China Rainbow, will be closing after more than half a century. A post on Boston Restaurant Talk quoted a note posted by the owner of China Rainbow. Thank you for your patronage. I am deeply grateful for the memories, laughter and loyal support over the years and will cherish the time we’ve spent together. I love you all.Tammy

Fans still have time to enjoy a meal at China Rainbow, which will be closing on Dec.

Obituaries

OBIT: John Strayhorn, 65, Former Raytheon Employee, WHS Hall of Fame Member

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John Strayhorn

A funeral service for John E. Strayhorn of Watertown will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 4:30 PM at the MacDonald Rockwell & MacDonald Funeral Home, 270 Main Street, Watertown. John passed away unexpectedly on December 2, 2025, at the age of 65. He was the beloved son of the late Milton E. and Lorna M. (Smith) Strayhorn. A lifelong resident of Watertown, John graduated from Watertown High School, where he excelled both academically and athletically. He was especially proud of his achievements on the football field and was honored as a member of the Watertown Football Hall of Fame.