Police/Fire
Blaze in Watertown Square Knocked Down by Watertown Firefighters
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The Watertown Fire Department responded to a fire just a block from the Central Fire Station early Saturday morning, and put out the blaze before it spread.
Developer Looking at Turning Old Mill Building into Residential Building with Retail Space
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A view of the proposed mixed-use project at 9 Galen St. on the site of the former mill building. (From RMR Group Plans)
The large brick building facing the Delta in Watertown Square could be turned into a mixed-use building with six stories and 285 residential units and space for 6,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail.
City Council to Hold First Discussion of Watertown Square Project, Including a Parking Garage
The proposed Demonstration Project in Watertown Square — which includes a parking garage, a residential building, retail space, and green open space — will be discussed by the City Council on Aug. 10 at the Watertown Library. See more information provided by the City of Watertown, below.
Bodywork Businesses Shutdown by City, One Had “Items of Sexual Nature”
The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
The Watertown Public Health Department, in collaboration with the Watertown Police Department, Zoning & Code Enforcement Team, Inspectional Services Division, and with assistance from the FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation — Human Trafficking Task Force, conducted inspections of bodywork establishments in Watertown on July 22, 2026, resulting in closure of multiple businesses due to violations of the City’s rules and regulations.
TREATY DAY 250: Pact Signed in Watertown in 1776 Remains Alive 250 Years Later
Members of the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet tribes traveled to take part in the celebration fo the 250th anniversary of the Treaty of Watertown (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Hundreds packed a theater in Watertown on Saturday to celebrate an event that took place 250 years before. The town was the site of the signing of the United States’ first treaty with a foreign nation — the Treaty of Watertown. Descendants of the signers of the document from the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet tribes emphasized that the agreement that was forged as a wartime alliance also created friendships and provided rights and protections for the signers that are still important in 2026.
More Headlines
UPDATE: Vehicle Strikes Pole on Main Street, Knocks Out Power in Area – Repairs to Take Until After 9 p.m.
Watertown Tax Relief Legislation Approved by House, Moves to Senate
Water & Sewer Rates Increasing More Than Expected Due to Error in Calculations
Real Estate
Three Properties Sold Recently in Watertown
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These three Watertown homes were sold over the past 10 days.
Around Town
Library May be Closed, But There are Plenty of Resources for Kids & Teens, Even if You Don’t Have a Card
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The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:
Watertown Free Public Library
As directed by Town Manager Michael Driscoll, the Watertown Free PublicLibrary will remain closed to the public until Monday, May 4th to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. This extends the Library’s previous closure period by four weeks.
Cartoon
See What Stops the Game of Indoor Hockey 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.”
Around Town
Gov. Signs Bill Allow Towns to Delay Property Tax Deadlines, Take Out/Delivery Alcohol from Restaurants; Cases Jump 1,400 in Mass.
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Gov. Charlie Baker signed legislation Friday that gives cities and towns the ability to relax property tax deadlines and also allows restaurants to sell beer and wine for take out or delivery.
Around Town
Friday is First Day Businesses Can Apply for Paycheck Protection Loans, Part of COVID-19 Stimulus
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One of the key form of aid to businesses dealing with the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak begins Friday — the Payroll Protection Program.
Business
Info on Town Services, Closures & Supporting Local Businesses in the Town Manager’s COVID-19 Update
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Watertown Town Hall
The following announcement was provided by Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll’s office:
Essential Services Order
Governor Charlie Baker’s emergency order requiring that all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public will be extended until May 4th. Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at the brick-and-mortar premises closed by the order. This order also prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people until May 4th. On March 31st, The Commonwealth updated the “COVID-19 Essential Services” list, which is based on federal guidance that was updated earlier this week. While these businesses are designated as essential, they are urged to follow social distancing protocols for workers in accordance with guidance from the Department of Public Health (DPH).
Around Town
Perkins Library Remains Closed, Find Out About Online Services
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The following information was provided by the Perkins School for the Blind Library:
Dear Perkins Library Patrons,
As Coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns continue to evolve, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has extended his March 23rd “Stay at Home” Executive Order requiring all non-essential businesses to close. At this time, the Executive Order will now extend until May 4, 2020.