Around Town
Five Watertown Homes Were Sold This Week
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This week’s Watertown home sales include three two-family homes, a single family, and a townhouse.
Police Log: Threatening Flyer Left at Home, Suspected Organized Crime Scam Used at Nike, Shoplifters Busted
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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department.
Watertown Author’s Book Honored in Mass. Book Awards
Watertown author Robin Bernstein’s book was honored in the 25th Annual Massachusetts Book Awards. (Contributed Photo)
Watertown author and cultural historian Robin Bernstein’s book “Freeman’s Challenge: The Murder That Shook America’s Original Prison for Profit,” was honored during the Massachusetts Book Awards.
City Manager’s Reflection One-Week After the End of the Trash Strike
Full trash bins during the recently-ended trash strike. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Watertown City Manager George Proakis sent out the following piece on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025.
As we end the first week of fall and reflect upon the summer that saw our regular trash and recycling services disrupted by the labor strike between Republic Services and their unionized workforce, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the community for their continued understanding and the members of City staff for their hard work.
Watertown Hires New Veterans Services Officer, Who Will Also Serve as the ADA Coordinator
Watertown hired a new Veterans Services Officer, who is a Navy and Army National Guard veteran with experience in frontline medical care, and most recently worked in the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services. See the announcement from the City of Watertown, below.
More Headlines
Voting Locations Changing for Many Watertown Residents in 2025
Council Gives City Manager High Marks in Review, Also Some Suggestions
Trash Strike Has Ended, City Closing Temporary Drop Off Site
Around Town
Watertown Community Foundation to Celebrate 20 Years of Community Giving
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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:
Since 2003 The Watertown Community Foundation has put funds to work in Watertown to address local needs to make positive change. Started with funds from the sale of the Arsenal property and grown by local giving and grants, a small group of Founders envisioned a community fund dedicated to sustaining a vibrant community. Twenty years later, the Foundation has given more than $3,000,000 in grants to improve the lives of the people who live and work in Watertown.
Around Town
Our History: Stephen P. Mugar, Created Modern Grocery Shopping at Star Market
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Star Market on Mt. Auburn Street circa 1920 (Courtesy of the Watertown Free Public Library)
The following story is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. The article first appeared in the Historical Society’s July 2014 newsletter “The Town Crier.” The following information was presented by the late Pam Pinsky, former Vice President of the Historical Society of Watertown
In October of 2005 the Friends of Mount Auburn Cemetery and the Historical Society of Watertown joined together to give a guided tour of the gravesites of several notable people who once resided in Watertown. The lives of our Watertown notables were recalled by members of the Historical Society Council and Historical Society volunteers.
When you go to the supermarket, you buy meat that is pre-packaged in shrink wrap; your onions come in mesh string bags; items are unit-priced (e.g., a 13 ounce can of coffee is unit-priced per pound so that you can compare the value against other coffees packed in 12 ounce cans); when you check out, you can have your purchases packed in paper bags; and often times, your bags are put in boxes and sent out on conveyor belt. All of these innovations that we take for granted were developed by Stephen P. Mugar at 28 Mt. Auburn St., home of the original Star Market.
Entertainment
See What Small Saves Gets for His Birthday in This Week’s Cartoon
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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.
Around Town
Watertown’s New Library Director to Start Work in September
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Kim Hewitt has officially been named Watertown’s new Library Director. (Courtesy of the Watertown Library)
The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:
The Watertown Free Public Library Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Kim Hewitt has been named as its new library director. In her role, Ms. Hewitt will lead the way in helping the library accomplish its mission of connecting people to ideas, information, education, creative opportunities, and to each other. She starts her new role on Sept. 11, 2023.
Schools
Public Invited to Ribbon Cutting & Tour of Temporary High School at Moxley Field
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A view of the temporary Watertown High School at Moxley Field from a presentation to the School Building Committee. (Courtesy of the Watertown Schools)
The public can get an inside look at the place where Watertown High School students will call home for the next three years.
Around Town
Seven Open Houses Around Watertown This Week
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Several condos and a single family are having open houses this week.
Government
Property Takings Pave Way for Start of Mt. Auburn Street Project, Expected to Last 4 Years
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The City Council approved some property takings on Tuesday to make way for a $30 million federally-funded reconstruction of one of Watertown’s biggest streets.