Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/834/?fbclid=IwAR1wR7XDX4kAWceRgAR58782208Wrbk5xzMTVQ3WdQXYwcOSvVAKESaHMk0)
Watertown residents will see an increase of 4.5% in both the water and sewer rates for the fiscal year that began on July 1, 2026, which is slightly higher than forecasted a year ago. However, the future increase could be significantly higher than projected due in part to an error made calculating future year revenues.
The Watertown Police Department is considering purchasing a drone like this one made by Paladin Drones (Photo from Paladin)
An automated drone is one of the new technologies being considered by the Watertown Police Department. On July 9, the City Council’s Public Safety Committee held a hearing to ask questions and hear from the public about the possible use of a drone.
Those looking to join other soccer fans in Watertown to catch the World Cup Final have two choices of venues to catch Sunday’s big game.
The first moments on the water for the Wada Hoppah Charles River ferry boat. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
An idea formed three years ago took to the waters of the Charles River on July 11, 2026 when the Wada Hoppah ferry launched at the Newton Yacht Club.
The building at 580 Pleasant St. will be renovated to create lab space for life science companies.
A building on Pleasant Street will be gutted and renovated to create biotech lab space.
The Armenian Museum of America will host a free online concert honoring Armenia.
The following announcement came from the Armenian Museum of America:
The Armenian Museum of America recently announced the third in its bi-monthly Online Concert Series. The performance is being recorded live in New York by three Armenian sopranos, Hasmik Meikhanedjian, Alvard Mayilyan, and Anahit Zakaryan. They will be accompanied by pianist and composer Hayk Arsenyan. The concert, “Kez het Hayastan” (With You, Armenia!), is dedicated to Armenia.
The historic Shick House is on property sold by the Mount Auburn Cemetery to Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, and may be torn down.
[UPDATED Feb. 3, 2021. The year that the Shick family purchased the house was 1914]
The sale of the land on Grove Street from the Mount Auburn Cemetery to Buckingham Browne & Nichols School closed last week. The Cambridge-based private school plans to build two athletic fields and a field house on the property, which is also the location of the historic Shick House.
The Watertown Free Public Library.
The following information was provide by the Watertown Library:
The Watertown Free Public Library has a full February in store! This month, we’re offering free zine making kits for all ages, hosting a Zoom talk with bestselling author Barbara Delinksy, and collecting photos for a social media pet parade. A full list of virtual programs is included below.
The parking ban called for the storm that hit Watertown Monday and Tuesday has been lifted.
CleanChoice Energy has been sending mailings to Watertown residents. The Town of Watertown also offers a clean energy option.
Editor:
Maybe you were tempted by a mailing you got from CleanChoice Energy offering you 100% renewable electricity. If so, you might want to look closer at local options. The CleanChoice Energy solicitation was for 12.40 cents per kilo watt hour but that rate will vary monthly. If you look at their website, they are offering twelve month plans for 14 cents/kwh and 16.8 cents/kwh.
A snowy road in Watertown.
The following announcement came from the Watertown Public Schools:
Due to the current ongoing snowstorm and variation in snowfall totals around the area, all schools will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, February 2, utilizing a traditional snow day.
The Town Council approved the conversion of some Watertown Housing Authority units to Section 8, and got a request to change the zoning of a parcel near Watertown Square. This week’s meetings included an informational session about the plans for the Arsenal on the Charles, an discussions of changes to the Watertown High School project, and the Charter Review Committee will discuss mayor vs. manager forms of government.