Around Town
Check Out the Winner in the Historical Society Essay Contest
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A panel of Historical Society members judges the best history essays each year, and here is the winning essay.
TREATY DAY 250: Pact Signed in Watertown in 1776 Remains Alive 250 Years Later
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Members of the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet tribes traveled to take part in the celebration fo the 250th anniversary of the Treaty of Watertown (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Hundreds packed a theater in Watertown on Saturday to celebrate an event that took place 250 years before. The town was the site of the signing of the United States’ first treaty with a foreign nation — the Treaty of Watertown. Descendants of the signers of the document from the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet tribes emphasized that the agreement that was forged as a wartime alliance also created friendships and provided rights and protections for the signers that are still important in 2026.
UPDATE: Vehicle Strikes Pole on Main Street, Knocks Out Power in Area – Repairs to Take Until After 9 p.m.
A pole struck by a vehicle lies on top of power lines on Main Street. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
A vehicle struck a utility pole on Main Street, snapping it in half and cutting off power for several hundred customers on Monday around noon.
Watertown Tax Relief Legislation Approved by House, Moves to Senate
Watertown City and State officials appeared before a joint committee at the State House on Jan. 27, 2026, to discuss the City’s Home Rule Petition. Pictured, from left, Steve Owens, George Proakis, John Lawn, Earl Smith, and Mark Sideris.
The City of Watertown’s effort to prevent a tax hike for residential property owners, which could be as high as 18%, cleared a major hurdle when it was approved the the House of Representatives on Beacon Hill.
Water & Sewer Rates Increasing More Than Expected Due to Error in Calculations
Watertown residents will see an increase of 4.5% in both the water and sewer rates for the fiscal year that began on July 1, 2026, which is slightly higher than forecasted a year ago. However, the future increase could be significantly higher than projected due in part to an error made calculating future year revenues.
More Headlines
Possible Purchase of Police Drone and Guidelines for Use Discussed by Council Committee
A Pair of World Cup Final Watch Parties in Watertown
Wada Hoppah Charles River Ferry Boat Has Hit the Water — See a Video and Photos
Government
Study of 70 Bus Sought in Effort to Improve Transportation on Arsenal St.
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A study of what can be done to speed up buses on the 70 and 70A bus routes has been requested by a group interested in improving public transportation on the Arsenal Street Corridor and beyond.
Around Town
Read the Second Place Essay in the Historical Society’s Contest
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Today, the Watertown News features the second place essay in the Historical Society of Watertown’s essay contest.
Police/Fire
Man Cuts Packaging, Himself Before Being Arrested at Target
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A Cambridge man tried to remove merchandise from its packaging at Target, but managed to hurt himself, too.
Around Town
See One of the Top Entries in the Historical Society’s Essay Contest
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Each year, the Historical Society of Watertown sponsors an award for the best history essay submitted by a high school student, and Watertown News will feature the winning essays.
Around Town
Watertown Resident Joins Mount Auburn Hospital Medical Staff
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Mount Auburn Hospital recently welcomed Watertown’s Muhammad Janisar, MD, to its Department of Medicine and Hospitalist Service.
Around Town
Experts Warn Heroin Addiction Can Impact Anyone
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There is no “typical heroin user,” said Stephanie Sunderland-Ramsey, a program coordinator with Wayside Youth and Family Support Network in Watertown.
Police/Fire
Police Log: Man Arrested After Refusing to Pay Cab Fare and More
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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department.