Around Town
Watertown Library’s Hatch Makerspace Celebrating 10 Years With Open House
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The Watertown Library invites the public to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Hatch Makerspace. See the details in the announcement below.
City Starting Detailed Designs for Watertown Square Intersection, Revitalization of Commercial Area
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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.
In 2nd Year, Civics Academy Will Teach Residents Even More About How Watertown’s Government Works
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.
Watertown Remains a Bright Spot for Life Science, Chamber to Host Forum on the Industry
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.
City Manager Clarifies Watertown’s Role in Immigration Enforcement
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.
More Headlines
Watertown Wrestler Repeats as Section Champ, Several Prepping for State Meet
Police Log: Man Arrested for Using Counterfeit Notes, 2 Stolen Cars Reported
City Issued Parking Tickets & Shoveling Warnings After January Snowstorm; Winter Parking Ban May be Extended
Schools
Student Leads Effort to Install Fridge at Watertown School to Save Unopened Items for Community Fridge
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Third-grader Naomi Ward stands next to the fridge where food is saved after lunches at Lowell School and donated to the Watertown Community Fridge. She helped raise money to purchased the fridge. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Thanks to the effort of an elementary school student, bags full of food from lunches at one Watertown school will be saved and made available to those who visit the Watertown Community Fridge.
Government
City Council to Discuss Winter Parking Ban at Special Meeting
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Watertown City Hall
The City Council will discuss whether to continue the Winter Parking Ban after receiving a petition signed by more than 800 residents. The public an provide input at the special meeting scheduled later this month.
Schools
School Committee Member Rachel Kay Hosting Office Hour
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Watertown School Committee member Rachel Kay will host an office hour on Jan. 12.
Around Town
LETTER: Library’s Survey Missing a Key Language in Watertown
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Letter to the Editor:
The Watertown Free Public Library’s efforts to gather community input for its 2026–28 Strategic Plan are commendable and reflect a genuine desire to serve the needs of residents. However, as a former resident of Watertown, I was surprised and disappointed to see that Armenian is not among the survey’s available languages (“Watertown Library’s Survey Will Help Plan for the Future,” Jan. 6, Watertown News).
Around Town
Major Watertown Street Closed Tuesday Due to a Water Emergency
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One of Watertown’s major roadways will be closed to do emergency repair work, according to an announcement from the City of Watertown sent out at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Around Town
Watertown Fitness Studio Running Free Mini Classes During Open House
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Watertown’s Fly Together Fitness will host free mini classes during an open studio Jan. 12 from 1-4 p.m.
Business
One Watertown Restaurant Closes, a New One Opens
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Some of the South of the Border dishes being served at Plazita Mexico Tacos.
As 2025 begins, Watertown has seen one restaurant close, while an addition has been made to the eating scene.