Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/876/?fbclid=IwAR1wR7XDX4kAWceRgAR58782208Wrbk5xzMTVQ3WdQXYwcOSvVAKESaHMk0)
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.
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.
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.”
Watertown residents can head to Town Hall beginning Saturday to cast their ballot in the Presidential Election.
Mincrogrants are available for micro-businesses in Watertown.
Companies with five or fewer employees can still take advantage of the microenterprise grants that were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, and the deadline to apply is Oct. 23, 2020.
The giant pumpkin is on display now at Arsenal Yards. It had originally been grown to be in the Topsfield Fair.
The following information was provided by Arsenal Yards:
Through the end of October, Watertown’s Arsenal Yards is making Fall a daily holiday with a new “Fall Falladays” activation. Guests and residents are invited to come out to the River Green at Arsenal Yards for autumnal activities taking place throughout the month.
The following information was provided by Watertown Savings:
Watertown Savings Bank (WSB) is pleased to announce that they have won in multiple categories in Wicked Local’s Annual Readers Choice Awards.
Plenty of open houses to visit in Watertown this weekend.
The state’s COVID-19 Community Level Reporting map showing Watertown in yellow, or moderate risk for the spread of the virus. Previously Watertown had been green, or lower risk.
The rate of infection in Watertown has risen into the moderate risk (yellow) category in the state’s COVID-19 Community Level reporting. On Monday, the School Committee will be discussing whether to open the Watertown Public Schools for hybrid learning.
The Town Council approved the Home Community Agreement with the third and final recreational marijuana dispensary in Watertown on Tuesday night.