Around Town
10 Open Houses Across Watertown This Weekend
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Check out the open houses in town this weekend.
Council to Weigh Changes to Rules for City Boards and Committees, City Departments
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Photo by Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall
The City Council will be weighing in on a 39-page document that sets the rules for how Watertown’s appointed committees and municipal departments operate. Some changes proposed include changing the length of terms for some committees, who appoints members of certain committees, and how to remove members of committees.
Hear from the Candidates in Watertown’s Election at Upcoming Forums
As the Nov. 4 Watertown Municipal Election approaches, Watertown News and Watertown Cable Access TV will host a series of candidate forums for the local races, including the City Council and School Committee.
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.
More Headlines
Police Log: Threatening Flyer Left at Home, Suspected Organized Crime Scam Used at Nike, Shoplifters Busted
Watertown Hires New Veterans Services Officer, Who Will Also Serve as the ADA Coordinator
Voting Locations Changing for Many Watertown Residents in 2025
Government
Residents, Developers Raise Concerns Over New Demolition Ordinance, OK’d by Split Council Vote
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Photo by Steve OwensThe Shick House on Grove Street was an example of a home on which the Historical Commission placed a demolition delay in efforts to save it. It was torn down after BB&N could not find someone to move it to another site. The property is now an athletic complex.
Under Watertown’s new demolition delay ordinance, a large number of homes will no longer have to go through the Historical Commission process to do additions or even to tear them down, but those that do go before the Commission could be subject to a much longer demolition delay.
Sports
Donohue’s Kaos Club Dominates Game 1 of Summer Basketball Finals, Game 2 Thursday
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Donohue’s Kaos Club and New Day played game one of the 2023 Papas Elite Watertown Men’s Basketball League Championship Finals Wednesday night. They face off again Thursday night. (Photo by Lindsay Graham)
By Lindsay Graham
The top-seeded Donohue’s Kaos Club proved why they were the number one seed, opening the 2023 Watertown Papas Elite Men’s Basketball League Championship Finals with a 67-49 win over New Day. Donohue’s carries the 1-0 series advantage into game two of the best of three Championship Finals.
Around Town
ACEC Hosting an Evening of Armenian Wine and Jazz
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The following announcement was provided by the Armenian Cultural & Educational Center:
Join the Armenian Cultural & Educational Center (ACEC) in Watertown for an elegant evening of “Jazz and Armenian Wine” on Friday, Aug. 25.
Around Town
Watertown Fitness Studio Hosting Free Dirty Dancing Workout & Social
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Watertown’s Get Lively Health and Fitness Studio will be hosting a free inspired summer social event inspired by the movie “Dirty Dancing.”
Police/Fire
Watertown’s Fire Chief Thanks Family, Fellow Firefighters During Swearing-in Ceremony
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Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson was sworn in by City Clerk Janet Murphy. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Watertown’s new Fire Chief had plenty of people to thank during his swearing-in ceremony, but Ryan Nicholson made sure not to be the sole focus of the event at the Commander’s Mansion on Tuesday afternoon.
Around Town
Free Virtual Workshop on Demystifying Personal Finances
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Ariel Nathanson
Watertown’s Ariel Nathanson will run a free online workshop about personal finances on Aug. 23.
Around Town
Watertown Cable Channels Going Off Air During Move
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The following announcement was provided by Watertown Cable Access TV:
WCA-TV channels will be off air from August 22 through August 25, 2023. What this means is that their channels will be down on cable as well as online through their Video on Demand (VOD) service.