Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/6/)
Watertown City and State officials appeared before a joint committee at the State House on Jan. 27, 2026. Pictured, from left, Steve Owens, George Proakis, John Lawn, Earl Smith, and Mark Sideris.
City officials from Watertown joined state representatives on Beacon Hill to request an extension to a bill that allowed Watertown to shift more of the property tax burden from residential properties to commercial properties. The shift would allow a 50/50 split, instead of the current requirements of state law to have 61 percent of the tax levy coming from residential properties.
Longtime dining destination, Not Your Average Joe’s, will be closing after more than a quarter century in Watertown Square.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department.
Steve Magoon
Steve Magoon has seen the transformation of large sections of Watertown, and played a major role in the creation of some of the City’s most important planning documents during his time working for the City. Magoon will retire at the end of January after more than 17 years as director of the Department of Community Development and Planning.
As we reflect on the holiday season, we are reminded that while this time of year is often filled with joy and celebration, many families in our community continue to face growing financial pressures that make the holidays especially difficult.
Perkins School for the Blind will host the 43rd annual Early Connection Conference. Registration is now open. See details provided by Perkins, below.
The Watertown Human Rights Commission will team with Human Rights Commissions in the area to host an online workshop on Building Connections: Effective Tools for Community Conversations in March. See details about the workshop and how to register in the announcement from the HRC below.
Massachusetts Poet Laureate Regie Gibson recited several of his poems at the 2026 Unity Breakfast. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Massachusetts’ Poet Laureate inspired the crowd at the 26th annual Unity Breakfast. During the event on Monday, awards were presented to a group monitoring immigration enforcement and supporting immigrants rights in Watertown, and a man who has been a big part of keeping the Unity Breakfast going through the Pandemic.
The following announcement was provided by Artemis Yoga:
Artemis Yoga is inviting the local community to an Open House on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m. at its Watertown studio. The afternoon will feature a series of free in-studio yoga classes, along with raffles, giveaways, local treats, and special in-studio offers.
It was matinee-Saturday at the John A. Ryan Arena as Watertown/Wayland and Melrose faced off with a 12:30 p.m. puck drop. Watertown/Wayland, in the midst of 7 of 8 at home, was obviously eager (desperate?!) to get off to a good start and put together a 45 minute game on the way to breaking into the win column in league play. Watertown/Wayland came into the game 0-7 in Middlesex League play and Melrose 1-5. But, as they did last Saturday versus Stoneham, Watertown/Wayland gave up two early goals to Melrose, and just couldn’t figure out a way to light up the lamp on the way to being shut 3-0.
Watertown captain Jimmy Shrestha and the Raiders defeated Belmont and Lexington last week. seventh. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Watertown’s wrestlers continued their successful season going 2-0 last week, with wins over Belmont and Lexington, and competed in a tournament.
The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
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