Obituaries
OBIT: Paul Connolly, 77, Longtime Hibernian, Musician, Worked at Shipley Co.
|
Paul Connolly
Paul G. Connolly, age 77, of Watertown, died on June 4, 2025 at New Horizons in Marlborough after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
City Council to Get Raises in 2026, Councilors Approve Most of Blue Ribbon Committee’s Recommendations
|
Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s City Hall.
The City Council will receive a raise of nearly 70 percent next year after members approved three of four recommendations from a committee of residents that studied Council compensation.
Council Approves FY2026 Budget, Removes Finance Position & Moves Funds to Fire Department
The City’s Assistant City Manager for Finance position has been removed from the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, and the money has been transferred to the Fire Department to help pay to staff a second City-run ambulance.
Police Log: Bank Teller Helps Prevent Scam, Shoplifter Arrested, Passport Found
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department.
Watertown High School Class of 2025 Persisted Through Challenging Conditions to Reach Graduation
Watertown High School Class of 2025 Valedictorian Nairi Davidian speaks at graduation at Victory Field. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Members of the Class of 2025 endured a lot in their time at Watertown High School, including shifting buildings, the Pandemic, and of course academic challenges. They showed resilience, toughness, and a strong spirit on the way to collecting their degrees on Friday evening at Victory Field.
More Headlines
Congratulations to the Watertown High School Class of 2025 – See Photos & the Grad List
Council President to Call for Eliminating Position, Use Money for Ambulance Staffing
Watertown’s First Police Officer of the Month Driving the WPD’s First Electric Police Car
Government
Watertown Hires Director of City’s New Human Services Department
|
The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
The City of Watertown is excited to introduce Jenna Bancroft, LICSW, as the City’s first Human Services Director!
Schools
Watertown Students Will Learn About Nutrition, Agriculture in Former Freight Containers
|
Watertown Public Schools educators look inside the Freight Farm indoor growing system that was built inside a former freight container.
The following piece was provided by the Watertown Public Schools:
Watertown Public Schools is expanding its educational opportunities for students with the addition of a new Freight Farm, a converted shipping container outfitted to grow food year-round.
Letters
LETTER: Watertown Library Trustee Will Not Seek Re-election
|
Barbara Biacnone (Sara’s mother), Library Trustee Sara Keary, and Tim Whelan (Sara’s step-father); This photo was taken in early September 2022 days after Sara’s mother and step-father moved from Pennsylvania to Watertown. Sara had accompanied them to get their library cards from WFPL. (Photo by Carey Conkey-Finn)
To the Watertown Free Public Library Board of Trustees, Library Staff, and Community Members,
After much reflection, I’ve decided not to seek re-election to the Watertown Free Public Library Board of Trustees.
Government
City Council Will Consider Special Committee’s Recommendations to Raise Council Salaries Nearly 70%
|
Watertown City Hall
The committee appointed to study City Council compensation is recommending that Councilors get a raise of more than $6,000. The compensation proposal will be considered by the Council Tuesday night at the Council Meeting.
Letters
LETTER: Chamber Supports Increasing City Council Compensation
|
Dear President Sideris,
The Charles River Regional Chamber supports the Blue Ribbon Commission’s proposal to increase City Councilor and Council President compensation.
Around Town
CRWA Hosting Building Resilience in the Charles River Watershed Webinar
|
The following information came from the Charles River Watershed Association:
Join us on Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 6:30-8 p.m. for the Building Resilience in the Charles River Watershed webinar on Zoom to learn about innovative green and grey flood mitigation solutions, how we could use ponds for added storage and their potential to reduce extreme flooding, and actionable recommendations to safeguard our watershed’s future. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation!
Around Town
Drainage Installation Work Planned This Week at 2 Intersections on Mt. Auburn St.
|
During the week of June 9-13 the Mt. Auburn Street roadwork will include installation of drainage on a couple of intersections. See details in the announcement provided by the City of Watertown.