Government

Council Approves Tax Rate for FY2026, See How Much of an Increase to Expect

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Charlie BreitroseA lot of money was raised and spent on the 2015 Watertown Election. Watertown homeowners will see their property taxes rise nearly 7 percent after the City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Tax Classification on Wednesday night. The average residential tax bill is $11,328, which is up $734 or 6.9 percent, according to the presentation by Earl Smith, the chair of the Watertown Board of Assessors. The Council also adopted the residential exemption at 35 percent, which provides a savings of $3,965. The average tax bill with the residential exemption is $7,363, which is up $476 or 6.9 percent.

Police/Fire

Six Watertown Body Works Businesses Busted in Inspections by Health Department & Police

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Six body works businesses in Watertown have been closed indefinitely after being found to be in violation of the City’s new body works regulations. The inspections aimed at not only ensuring that the businesses were in compliance with the updated regulations, but also “to safeguard residents, legitimate businesses, and potential victims of human trafficking,” according to an announcement on the Watertown Police Department’s social media. “All six were found to be in violation of regulations set by the Watertown Board of Health, the Building Department, and the Zoning Department, as well as the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure. These establishments will not be permitted to reopen until they meet the required standards established by these agencies,” the Watertown Police announcement said. The inspections were conducted by the Watertown Health Department, in coordination with Watertown Police, Watertown Zoning and Building Departments, and the Occupational Licensing Division of Massachusetts.

Around Town

John Airasian’s Family Remember His Love for His Family, His Business & His Community

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John Airasian

This week, Watertown said goodbye to a man who devoted his life to three things: family, business, and the community. Thousands lined up in the cold weather for his wake on Tuesday, and on Wednesday hundreds sat in the pews at St. Patrick’s Church for the funeral of John S. Airasian. While he served on many community organizations through the years — the Watertown-Belmont Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Watertown, the Arsenal Reuse Committee, and the Traffic Commission — many they will remember Airasian for his friendly demeanor, desire to help others, and his love of his hometown. His three sons — Pete, Bob, and John — remembered their father during Wednesday’s funeral service.

Sports

JIM’S VIEW: Watertown Field Hockey Runs Into A Dominant Opponent in the State Div. 3 Semifinal

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Watertown field hockey players Kaylee Master, Ava Lamacchia, and Lola Venezia defend against Uxbridge in the MIAA Div. 3 Tournament Semifinal. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

WEST BRIDGEWATER — Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure … than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.  ~  Theodore Roosevelt

The Watertown field hockey team lines up before the 2025 State Semifinal against Uxbridge. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Unless the players and coaches of Watertown Field Hockey had lived under a rock the past three months, except for when practicing and playing field hockey, they certainly knew the challenge they faced Wednesday night.

Around Town

Senior Center Teams with New Veterans Services Officer to Honor Watertown Veterans

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Watertown Veterans Services Officer Jay Terminiello introduced veteran and Council on Aging member Russ Arico, the featured speaker at the Senior Center’s Veterans Luncheon. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The Senior Center hosted dozens of veterans and other guests on Monday to pay tribute to Watertown’s current and former military servicemen and women the day before Veterans Day. The featured speaker at the event was a member of the Army Corps of Engineers in the Vietnam War, Russ Arico, who is currently serves on the Watertown Council on Aging. “Watertown residents have served this country from its inception, creating this country and right up until today,” said Arico. He highlighted one Watertown family, the Ovoians, who had members who landed at Normandy in World War II, two brothers who served in Vietnam, and a member of the next generation who took part in the first Gulf War.

Sports

JIM’S VIEW: Watertown Boys Soccer Season Comes to a Harsh End In the Round of 16

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Senior Gavin Foley scored one of Watertown’s goals in the Round of 16 game against Greater New Bedford. Here he receives the ball against St. Mary’s. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

There’s always another game is a common-used cliche in sports, but come tournament-time that couldn’t be further from the truth. On this night, either the Bears of Greater New Bedford (GNB), the No. 4 seed at 17-4, or the Raiders of Watertown, the No.

Around Town

Businesses Air Concerns with Mt. Auburn Street Construction; City Pledges Improved Communication

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Mt. Auburn Street has been under construction this year, and it will continue for a few more. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The past several months have been tough for businesses in Coolidge Square with the road construction and utility work on Mt. Auburn Street. While the project is expected to last another three years, heavy construction is largely done until spring and City and construction officials have committed to improving communication with business owners.

Around Town

Detours This Week for Mt. Auburn Street Construction

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During the week of Nov. 10 some areas of Mt. Auburn Street will be closed and traffic will be detoured as road reconstruction continues in East Watertown. See details provided by the City of Watertown, below. Milling

Milling (removal of the top layer of pavement) on Mount Auburn Street between Lloyd Road and Boylston Street is scheduled to continue Monday, November 10, 2025.