Around Town
Registration Open for the Recreation Department’s Winter Programs
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Registration is open for the Recreation Department’s Winter Session 1, which runs from Dec. 7, 2020 to Feb. 7, 2021.
Watertown Tax Relief Legislation Approved by House, Moves to Senate
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Watertown City and State officials appeared before a joint committee at the State House on Jan. 27, 2026, to discuss the City’s Home Rule Petition. Pictured, from left, Steve Owens, George Proakis, John Lawn, Earl Smith, and Mark Sideris.
The City of Watertown’s effort to prevent a tax hike for residential property owners, which could be as high as 18%, cleared a major hurdle when it was approved the the House of Representatives on Beacon Hill.
Water & Sewer Rates Increasing More Than Expected Due to Error in Calculations
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.
Possible Purchase of Police Drone and Guidelines for Use Discussed by Council Committee
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.
A Pair of World Cup Final Watch Parties in Watertown
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.
More Headlines
Wada Hoppah Charles River Ferry Boat Has Hit the Water — See a Video and Photos
City Council Moving Out of City Hall for July 14 Meeting
Mutual Aid Group Delivers Air Conditioners in Watertown During Heat Wave
Entertainment
Meet Santa Claus in Virtual Event Hosted by Gore Place
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Santa Claus will be streaming live from Gore Place this year.
Gore Place sent out the following information:
We’re bringing our popular annual Santa Tea experience online this year. Santa will be broadcasting live from the Carriage House right to your home! During this live online event, families will play games, sing songs and hear a story or two from Santa. Sign-up early and get some great recipes for sugar cookies and spiced cocoa.
Schools
Watertown Schools to Conduct Outside Review of Bullying & Discipline Policies After Racially-Motivated Incident
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The Watertown Public Schools hired outside experts to review the district’s bullying and disciplinary policies following a student’s report of racially-motivated bullying.
Entertainment
Watertown Library Co-Hosting James Patterson, Jeff Benedict at Virtual Author Talks
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Bestselling author James Patterson will speak with Hank Phillippi Ryan about his two upcoming books on Dec. 15 and on Dec. 17 Jeff Benedict will discuss his book about the New England Patriots’ Dynasty.
The Watertown Library sent out the following announcement:
The holiday season always brings an abundance of new and highly anticipated books by prominent authors. This year, the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) is partnering with local booksellers and neighbor libraries to bring a few of those bestselling authors to Watertown – virtually, of course!
Around Town
Watertown Hosting Live Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony
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Members of Watertown’s veterans organizations talk before the Pearl Harbor Commemoration in 2017 at the Watertown Dock in Watertown Square.
The Town of Watertown will remember those lost at Pearl Harbor with an in-person event on Monday, Dec. 7.
Schools
Design of New High School Changed to Reduce Impact on Neighbors, Drop-off Areas & Parking Discussed
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A conceptual design of the preferred option for the New Watertown High School, looking down Common Street toward Mt. Auburn Street.
Architects working on the new Watertown High School tweaked the designs to make them less obtrusive to neighbors, and showed potential pickup and drop off areas around the two buildings on either side of Common Street.
Around Town
LETTER: Are More Artificial Turf Fields a Win for Watertown and the Planet?
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The following letter is in response to the Town Council’s recent approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Watertown and Buckingham Browne & Nichols School to share share fields — the new artificial turf fields planned by the school on Grove Street and the fields at Filippello Park.
Charity
Watertown Mall Teams with Police for Annual Gift Drive
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The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:
This year the Watertown Mall has teamed up with the Watertown Police Department to collect gift donations for the Whooley Foundation’s Annual Gift Drive. The Whooley Foundation’s mission is: To ensure that no child or family in our community goes without some joy during the holiday season.