Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/72/)
Tuesday night, a citizens group presented the City Council with a petition to support a resolution encouraging the federal government to seek nuclear disarmament in the United States and the other eight nations that have nuclear weapons. The proposal split the Council, which rejected it down by one vote.
Increasing costs of special education tuition has contributed to the sharp increase in the school budget over the past few years, Superintendent Dede Galdston told the School Committee on Monday night, and for budget for the 2026-27 school year the district will have to find ways to close a multi-million dollar deficit.
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll takes a look around the Watertown Public Schools’ Freight Farm. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
The white box container sitting in the parking lot of the Watertown Public Schools’ administration building has smooth metal walls on the outside, but inside the walls have a lush floor-to-ceiling covering of green plants. The freight container is not just a teaching tool but also provides fresh produce for students around the district.
The Wayside Multi-Service Center is located on North Beacon Street in Watertown. (Courtesy of Wayside)
The Wayside Multi-Service Center momentarily saw one-third of its budget disappear, with the removal of a federal grant. While the grant was restored within days, Sophia Suarez-Friedman, Program Director for Wayside Multi-Service Center, said it was both a stark reminder and a heartening response.
Charlie BreitroseThe Commander’s Mansion in Watertown.
Greetings Councilors:
“They don’t know what they don’t know.”
How did the revival of the Commander’s Mansion come to be? What was the process that restored this beautiful edifice to its full glory? The story, behind the story, can be found in the attached September 23, 2005 Final Report of the Watertown Arsenal Development Corporation.
Federal Class Action Filed to Confront the Erasure of Black Americans and Their Constitutional Standing
The following information was provided by the Charles River Regional Chamber:
The chamber’s Environmental Committee is hosting a webinar on the Main Streets energy efficiency program, which is now available to businesses, commercial property owners, non-profits, and houses of worship in Watertown and Newton Centre.
Drawings for the improvements at Bemis Park.
Two parks on the westside of Watertown will be renovated in the near future, and City Councilors had questions about the features of the park, as well as the pedestrian crossings for one of the parks.
The Watertown Transportation Management Association (TMA) received a grant of $159,469 from the Mass Department of Transportation to analyze data on travel patterns and use findings to inform development of new mobility alternatives, all in an attempt to reduce single occupancy vehicle commuting. See details about the program provided by MassDOT, below.
The following announcement was provided by Emerson College:
Emerson College student Nel Blinman of Watertown earned a Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts & Interdisciplinary Studies Award in spring 2025 at the end of the academic year, recognizing students for their achievements during a ceremony.
The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:
You may have already seen the stunning new photo triptych on loan in the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) stairwell. On Thursday evening, Sept. 18, the Library invites all community members to hear from the artist that created “Agricultural Panel B” — celebrated photographer and Watertown resident Archy LaSalle.
Debra Smith will be speaking about her first book at an event in Harvard Square on Sept. 28.
Watertown’s Debra Smith will be participating in a pair of events in memory of John R. Hope as part of Suicide Prevention month.