Around Town
Watertown City Manager Signs Pledge to Help Monarch Butterflies
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The City of Watertown provided the following information:
City Manager, George Proakis, signed the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge on March 30, 2023!
Memory of Fallen Watertown Firefighter Not Forgotten Nine Years After His Death
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Watertown Firefighters salute during the ceremony honoring Joe Toscano, the firefighter who died nine years ago while working a fire. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Nine years after losing one of its own, the Watertown Fire Department paid honored to Firefighter Joe Toscano just down the street from where he lost his life. The annual event held at the time of his passing brings together members of the WFD, Toscano’s family, and others who remember the tragic day.
Charles River Chamber Panel Looked at How Watertown Became a Life Science Hub
A panel of speakers discussed the life science industry in Watertown at an event hosted by the Charles River Regional Chamber. From left, City Manager George Proakis, Boylston Properties President Mark Deschenes, CEO of Labshares Phillip Borden, and C4 Chief People Officer Kelly Schick. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Eleven years ago, 25 life science companies had facilities in Watertown. Today, more than four times that many companies are located in the City, making it one of Massachusetts’ life science hubs.
WHS Medical Assistant Students Practiced What They Learned in Class in the Real World
A Watertown High School student conducts medical tests during a community health clinic run by the school’s Medical Assisting Program. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
City employees had the opportunity to get free checkups from some aspiring medical professionals during a clinic run by the Watertown High School Medical Assisting Program.
Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s 2026-27 Season Features 2 Shows in Watertown
Actors’ Shakespeare Project will produce four shows in the 2026-27 season. Two shows — one of the Bard’s classics plus a vampire comedy at Halloween time — will go on stage at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown. See what the company has in store next season in the announcement from ASP, below.
More Headlines
Police Log: 2 Arrests for Trying to Cash Fraudulent Checks, Man Busted for Exposing Himself
Watertown Unveils Visitors Guide Ahead of Busy Summer of 2026
Council Approves FY27 Capital Items With Funds for Street Repair, Park Projects and the New Middle School
Around Town
Watertown Consulting Firm Named Small Business Administration Microenterprise of the Year
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Sarah Scala’s consulting business was named the Small Business Administration’s Microenterprise of the Year. She lives in Watertown.
The following announcement was provided by the Small Business Assocaition:
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has named Sarah A. Scala of Watertown Consulting the 2023 Microenterprise Business of the Year for Massachusetts
Government
Linkage Fee Approved by City Council, Developers Have Longer to Make Payment
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Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall
The City Council approved a linkage fee on large developments that would be used to create affordable housing in Watertown. The ordinance also spreads the fees into two payments and the City can consider offers of housing units or land in lieu of the fee.
Around Town
Local Daisy Troop Hosting School Supply Drive With Watertown Savings Bank
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Watertown Girl Scout Daisy Troop 77117, is hosting a School Supply Drive from April 17-27 to earn their Make the World a Better Place badge.
Around Town
Third Annual Life Science Panel Hosted by Watertown Business Coalition
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The Watertown Business Coalition will host the third annual Life Science Panel on April 25 featuring representatives from four local life science companies.
Around Town
Watertown City Clerk Available to Perform Weddings
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The City of Watertown sent out the following information:
Schools
Schools Using COVID Grant to Help Make Up $1.3M Deficit
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The Watertown Public Schools face a shortfall of $1.38 million for the next school year, but the gap will be narrowed by using some grant funds Watertown received for COVID relief.
Around Town
LETTER: Residents Ask Council to Increase Linkage Fee to $15/Sq. Ft.
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Note to reader: There has been a lot of talk recently in Watertown about the need for more affordable housing. One thing everyone in Watertown can do to help build more affordable housing is to attend the City Council Meeting on 4/11 at 7:00 PM and voice their support for proposed linkage fee ordinance that would raise money for affordable housing by applying a modest fee to new large non-residential developments in the city. While there is some debate about the exact fee amount (below is a copy of our letter to the City Council outlining the case for a $15/sqft fee), the most important issue to make sure the linkage fee is implemented as soon as possible, so we do not lose out on any more funds for affordable housing.
Dear City Council President Sideris and City Councilors Gardner, Feltner, Piccirilli, Izzo, Airasian, Bays, Gannon, and Palomba:
We applaud the City Council’s efforts to promote affordable housing, first by establishing the Watertown Affordable Housing Trust and now by working with our state delegation to establish a linkage fee to directly fund affordable housing development. As the council considers enactment of the linkage fee, we urge the council to adopt a linkage fee of $15 per square foot, which our technical analysis below shows is in line with recent increases in residential construction costs not measured by the original Nexus study published last year. The Nexus study published last April recommended the council consider a linkage fee in the range of $9.44 to $11.12, which balances raising revenue for affordable housing while maintaining Watertown’s competitive position in the commercial (mainly focusing on life sciences) development space.