Watertown News | Page 366 | Your Source for Local News

State of the City: Manager’s New Goals, Charter Review & a Downtown Post Office

By Charlie Breitrose | 7 hours ago

The City of Watertown will have a new set of goals used to create the annual budget and make decisions about how municipal departments operate, City Manager City Manager George Proakis said during Tuesday’s State of the City presentation. During the address, he and City Council President Mark Sideris also discussed the Charter Review set to happen in 2026, and the possibility of having a Post Office in the center of town.

State of the City Remains Strong Even as Dark Economic Clouds May be on the Horizon

City Manager George Proakis, left, and City Council President Mark Sideris presented the State of the City on Sept. 30, 2025. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Despite an uncertain economic future, Watertown remains on solid ground, City Manager George Proakis said during Monday’s State of the City Address. He and City Council President Mark Sideris went into depth about the economic factors impacting the City during the annual address.

Council to Weigh Changes to Rules for City Boards and Committees, City Departments

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.

More Headlines

Watertown Author’s Book Honored in Mass. Book Awards

City Manager’s Reflection One-Week After the End of the Trash Strike

Police Log: Threatening Flyer Left at Home, Suspected Organized Crime Scam Used at Nike, Shoplifters Busted

Around Town

Public Invited to 55th Lt. Paul Sullivan Scholarship Dinner

By Guest Writer | June 1, 2023

Lt. Paul Sullivan was killed in Vietnam in 1968, and a scholarship in his name has been given out for 55 years.

The following information was provided by the Lt. Paul Sullivan Scholarship Committee:

The Lieutenant Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the 55th annual Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship Dinner. The Scholarship Award of $5,500 will be awarded to a deserving high school senior to perpetuate Paul’s memory. There will also be awards for the other finalists.

Entertainment

Armenian Museum’s New Exhibition Explores Issues of Dislocation & Cultural Identity

By Guest Writer | June 1, 2023

“Beirut Memory Project #56” (Digital Collage, 2018- 2021), Ara Oshagan features an individual looking out from among the bookshelves of a library that opens entirely onto a war-ravaged boulevard in Beirut.

The following announcement was provided by the Armenian Museum of America

Using a variety of mediums from photography to film to collage, Ara Oshagan weaves geographies and spaces that consider the impact of borders on our personal collective history and the disruption of dislocation. Ara is a photographer and installation artist based in Los Angeles who has exhibited worldwide. Curated by Ryann Casey.

Around Town

Four Artists Speak About the Pieces Featured in the First Exhibition on the Watertown Community Sculpture Walk

By Anaïs Markwood, Contributor | May 31, 2023

Anaïs MarkwoodArtist James Payne speaks about his sculpture “Opposition” during the grand opening of the Community Sculpture Walk.

As of May 18th, Watertown is home to four new sculptures! The new Community Sculpture Walk in Watertown Square had its grand opening, unveiling a series of four sculptures located along the Community Path that runs behind Saltonstall Park.

Schools

Say Goodbye to Watertown High During Farewell Tour

By Charlie Breitrose | May 31, 2023

The public is invited to take one last look around Watertown high School before it is torn down.

Around Town

Watertown-Based Family First Receives Grant from Cummings Foundation

By Guest Writer | May 31, 2023

The following announcement was provided by Families First:

Families First is one of 150 local nonprofits that will share in $30 million through Cummings Foundation’s major annual grants program. The organization was selected from a total of 630 applicants during a competitive review process. It will receive $150,000 over three years.

Entertainment

Festa Italiana Taking Place June 10 in Waltham

By Guest Writer | May 31, 2023

The following announcement was provided by Festa Italiana:

Come One, Come All

Cheers everyone! The much-acclaimed Festa Italiana, an Italian style festival, is returning to the (Waltham Common):

Schools

Reopening of Lowell School Pushed Back Due to Delays in Materials & Equipment

By Guest Writer | May 30, 2023

Watertown Public SchoolsA look inside Lowell Elementary School, which is under construction, and reopening will be pushed back by about a month.

Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston sent out the following announcement on Tuesday, May 30:

To our Lowell Elementary School community:

We are writing to you this afternoon to share an update on the ongoing renovations at the Lowell school.

Around Town

Watertown Honors the Sacrifices of Veterans During Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony

By Charlie Breitrose | May 30, 2023

Members of Watertown’s veterans groups march during the 2023 Memorial Day Parade.

A Watertown veteran who has seen combat first hand shared what Memorial Day means to him at Watertown’s commemoration ceremony after the annual parade.