Watertown News | Page 229 | Your Source for Local News

Voting Locations Changing for Many Watertown Residents in 2025

By Charlie Breitrose | 6 hours ago

Several polling places in Watertown will be moving to a new location for the 2025 Watertown Election. City Councilors had concerns about how voters will know where to go to vote.

Council Gives City Manager High Marks in Review, Also Some Suggestions

Watertown City Manager George Proakis.

City Manager George Proakis received a high rating from the City Council in his annual review for Fiscal Year 2025, though members of the Council had some constructive criticism, too.

Trash Strike Has Ended, City Closing Temporary Drop Off Site

A Watertown trash bin. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The strike by union employees working at Republic Services has ended as the two sides announced an agreement on Friday.

School Building Committee Members Raise New Strategies to Keep Hopes of Middle School Renovation Alive

Watertown Middle School (Courtesy of Watertown Public Schools)

While the possibility of totally renovating or rebuilding Watertown Middle School appeared to be over, some members of the School Building Committee brought up strategies that they said could still allow the project to happen.

More Headlines

Police Log: 2 Arrests at Best Buy, Wheelchair Vandalized & More

Watertown Author Wins Mass. Book Award for Her YA Novel

Back to School: One School Welcomed a Large Kindergarten, Middle School Renovations Shift, Draft Cellphone Policy

Around Town

Watertown Square Housing & Intersections Proposals Revealed

By Charlie Breitrose | April 5, 2024

A large crowd listened to the presentation at the Watertown Square Area Plan Meeting on April 4 at 66 Galen St. (Photo by Rachel Kay)

The proposed design of Watertown Square will look similar to the current intersection, with one leg removed and larger open space. Designers also revealed a new plan to meet the MBTA Communities Law on Thursday, showing a plan with areas for by-right housing around Watertown Square, and south of the Charles River.

Around Town

Free T-Shirt Days at the Watertown Library

By Guest Writer | April 5, 2024

The Watertown Library will be giving away T-shirts in April. (Courtesy of the Watertown Library)

The Watertown Free Public Library will be giving away T-shirts. Find out more information in the announcement provided by the Library, below.

Around Town

Several Open Houses Around Watertown Over the Weekend

By Charlie Breitrose | April 5, 2024

A variety of types of homes are on the market in Watertown this week.

Schools

Two Years of Foreign Language Added to WHS Graduation Requirements

By Charlie Breitrose | April 4, 2024

The School Committee approved the addition of taking a world language to the graduation requirements for Watertown High School students.

Around Town

2024 Watertown Pride Events Include Parade & Tipsy Tea Party

By Guest Writer | April 4, 2024

The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

Plans are underway for Pride Month in Watertown! Please visit the city’s official Pride website at WatertownPride.com for upcoming event details and sponsorship opportunities. More community events will be added as they are announced.

Around Town

Neighbors Running Fund Raiser to Help Family Pay for Vet Bills for Cat Injured in a House Fire

By Charlie Breitrose | April 4, 2024

Two cats were in a fire at a Watertown home, and one — Basil — has required medical care.

An online fundraising effort has started to help a Watertown family who are trying to pay for their cat’s veterinary bills after their home was damaged in a fire.

Government

Council Increases Tax Exemption for Businesses, Waiting on Real Estate Transfer Tax

By Charlie Breitrose | April 3, 2024

Watertown City Hall

Watertown businesses will get some tax relief after the City Council approved increasing the exemption on business personal property taxes by $5,000. Councilors will not be deciding on whether to have a real estate transfer tax until a later date.

Around Town

Rep. Steve Owens Hosting Earth Day Cleanup & April Office Hours

By Guest Writer | April 3, 2024

State Rep. Steve Owens.

The following announcement was provided by the Office of State Rep. Steve Owens:

State Rep. Steve Owens, a Democrat in the 29th Middlesex District made up of parts of West Cambridge, North Cambridge, and Watertown, has an upcoming Earth Day cleanup event and office hours in Cambridge and Watertown.