Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/182/)
The future of Watertown Square will be designed in 2026 with plans for major changes to the intersection as well as the commercial district in and around the Square. (Photo by City of Watertown)
More than a year after the zoning for Watertown Square was approved, City officials are preparing to begin the creation of two detailed plans to revitalize the Watertown Square commercial area, and to redesign the intersection. The project includes changes gto the roadway and intersection, as well as building on the parking lots in the Square.
Watertown’s first Civics Academy drew such good reviews that in its second year it will be even longer so that participants can learn even more about how local government works and city departments function.
Life science clusters in Watertown in 2025. The image appears in Watertown Bio’s 2025 Life Science Industry Report.
The biotech industry, while slowed, still has some life in Watertown, according to a recently published study. The City boasts the third most life science firms of any community in Massachusetts, the fourth most venture capital investmentd, and 20 new firms came to town in 2025.
Questions about immigration enforcement in Watertown are something that City Manager George Proakis has heard a lot recently, and he provided some information about the role of the Watertown Police and what they can and cannot do when federal agents are operating in town.
Charlie BreitroseA closeup of the section of the Kingian Nonviolence Mural featuring Martin Luther King.
Monday is Martin Luther King Day, and multiple City of Watertown buildings will be closed for the holiday, and trash pickup will be impacted. See the announcement from the City below.
This week’s Watertown home sales include two townhouses and a two-family home.
Sunday will bring 5 to 9 inches of snow, followed by a stretch of cold, winter-like weather, with mostly sunny to partly cloudy days and chilly nights. Strong northwest winds will make it feel colder than the actual temperatures, especially during the day. With clear to partly cloudy skies at night, temperatures will drop into the low to mid-20s, making for brisk evenings. The persistent cold and gusty winds will keep outdoor activities cool and require warm layers. Be prepared for a crisp and quiet winter week ahead.
The City of Watertown has declared a snow emergency for the snow storm forecast to drop five inches or more on the area. See details in the announcement sent out by City officials.
Watertown Field Hockey Coach Eileen Donahue has been named national coach of the year. Here she speaks to the Raiders during a 2024 State Tournament game. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
The Watertown Public Schools provided the following piece:
Watertown High School field hockey coach Eileen Donahue has been named the field hockey Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations, adding another award to her Hall of Fame career.
James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net.
Matt Hanna
Fred Grandinetti has been hosting his cable show “Drawing with Fred” for more than three decades, and he will kick off his latest season with a special musical guest who hails from Watertown.
See more information in the announcement provided by Grandinetti:
The following announcement was provided by Vertex, the City’s project management firm for the Watertown High School project:
Please be aware starting Tuesday 1/21/25 through Friday 1/24/25 (weather-depending), one lane of Columbia Street will be closed between Common and Robbins to allow repair work to previously installed electrical conduits at the pole on the opposite side of the street from the new school.