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.

Environment

Lt. Gov. Recognizes Watertown as Part of Inaugural Group of Climate Leader Communities

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City Council President Mark Sideris speaks with Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll at the Climate Leader Communities event held in Watertown on May 2. (Courtesy of the DOER)

Watertown’s efforts to promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases were recognized by the State on Friday. The Healey-Driscoll Administration held the celebration of the state’s first 19 certified Climate Leader Communities outside the “crown jewel” of Watertown’s green efforts: the net-zero energy high school now being constructed on Columbia Avenue. The Climate Leader Communities program encourages municipalities to lower municipal emissions, maximize the efficiency of buildings and transportation, and slash energy costs. CLC certified communities can apply for grants of up to $1.15 million for projects that reduce municipal emissions.

Weather

Weather Forecast: May Starts With Summer-Like Weather Before Cool Down

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Eastern Massachusetts opens May with a summery start before slipping into a cooler, more unsettled stretch. Friday and Saturday feature warm temperatures, increasing humidity, and the potential for a few isolated strong thunderstorms. A more widespread shower threat returns Sunday as a stalled front lingers over the region. Next week trends cooler, with periods of cloudiness and scattered rain as a slow-moving upper-level low dominates the pattern. Despite the drearier outlook, there will still be breaks of sun — especially by midweek — as temperatures hover in the 60s with a few warmer inland spikes. Friday, May 2 — Fog Lifts, Warmth Builds:

Low morning clouds and patchy fog give way to partial sunshine by midday.

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)

Around Town

Watertown Group Will Participate in Mother’s Day Walk for Peace

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Watertown Walks for PeaceWatertown Walks for Peace joined the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace in Dorchester. The following announcement was provided by Watertown Walks for Peace:

Watertown Walks for Peace  Sunday May 11

We hope you will join us again with donations and walking for the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace.  For those who walk we will have a bus so we can gather  and return together. Or meet us there! What better way to honor your mother than to partake in the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace and support the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute and its services to families and communities affected by gun violence. This is our 11th consecutive year participating in the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace in Dorchester. 

Visit our webpage to sign up to walk and/or donate and help achieve our fundraising goal. Last year we raised over $7,000. Can we top that? As always, there will be inspiring speakers, an energizing walk, and a welcoming community of supporters.