Around Town
A Virtual Raffle, Singing & Exercise Classes from the Senior Center This Week
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Watertown Senior Center
The Watertown Senior Center provided this week’s programs, which are available remotely.
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
Special Delivery in This Week’s Small Saves Cartoon
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Cartoon by James DeMarco
James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal–then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”
Elections
Watertown Ballot Drop Box to be Closed on Halloween
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The ballot drop off box outside Watertown’s Town Hall.
Watertown’s ballot drop box will be closed on Saturday, Oct. 31, Town Clerk John Flynn said.
Climate and Energy Master Plan
Town Using Part of Budget Surplus to Fund Climate & Energy Master Plan
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Watertown’s Town Hall.
On Tuesday, the Town Council approved using some of the funds left over from the Fiscal Year 2021 budget to fund the creation of a Climate and Energy Master Plan.
Real Estate
Halloween Weekend Filled with Open Houses in Watertown
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See this week’s Watertown open houses.
Around Town
COVID-19 Cases Rising in Watertown, Town Remains in Yellow
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A screenshot of the state’s Community Level COVID-19 Reporting map released on Oct. 29, 2020.
Watertown remained “yellow” in the State’s COVID-19 tracking program this week, but the number of positive cases of COVID-19 rose close to the threshold for the Town to become “red,” or high risk.
Elections
Big Voter Turnout Already in Watertown From Mail-In Ballots, Early Voting
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The ballot drop off box outside Watertown’s Town Hall.
Many Watertown voters have already cast their ballot in the 2020 Presidential Election, with the number of votes already received by the Town Clerk’s office nearly as high as the total cast in the September Preliminary Election.
Around Town
Watertown Residents Can Help Neighbors Celebrate Thanksgiving in 2020
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Mutual Aid, which is sponsored by the Watertown Community Foundation and Wayside Youth and Family Support Network, sent out details about how to provide or request support: