Government

Watertown Cancelling Contract for Flock License Plate Reading Cameras

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Watertown will cancel the contract with Flock Safety to install license plate reading cameras in the City, and City Manager George Proakis told the City Council he wants to continue to have discussions about when it is appropriate for the Watertown Police to use technology in its investigations. The City signed a contract last year with Flock with plans to install eight cameras. Proakis announced the end of the contract at the Jan. 27 City Council meeting, but said he would like the City Council to discuss use of technology by the Watertown Police Department. The cameras became a topic of discussion in recent months as more communities install them, and others have removed them due to concerns about how the data collected by the cameras is being used, and who has access to it.

Around Town

Snow Cleanup & Removal in Watertown Will Continue Through This Week

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Charlie BreitroseA truck plows a Watertown street. Watertown Public Works crews will be busy this week continuing efforts to dig the City out after the heavy snow on Sunday and Monday, said City Manager George Proakis. “This storm was significant – over 19 inches of snow in Watertown since Sunday. The DPW crews have been working for over 50 hours, but they are not done yet,” Proakis said. “They are going to be addressing a number of challenging spots over the next few days, including many of those snowbanks at the street corners.”

Schools

School Committee Adopts Resolution Supporting, Protecting Immigrant Students & Families

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On Monday, the School Committee adopted a resolution which states that the Watertown Public Schools have a “strong commitment to protecting the rights of immigrant students and their families.” The resolution also ensures certain protections including that the Watertown Public Schools (WPS) will not ask about immigration status, will not coordinate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); will not allow ICE agents on to WPS property without a criminal warrant from a federal judge, and will not share student records with ICE without parent, a guardian or a court order. In addition, the resolution said, “WPS ensures that staff will only send students home with caregivers/family members or friends who have been approved by the child’s parent or guardian, and encourages parents and guardians to keep emergency contact information up-to-date by contacting their child’s school.” The School Committee unanimously approved the resolution at the Jan. 26 meeting.

Weather

See When Watertown’s Snow Emergency Will End

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The Snow Emergency will run through Tuesday morning, meaning on-street parking is prohibited overnight. The City also reminded residents that snow and ice must be removed from sidewalks after the end of the storm. See the announcement from the City of Watertown below:

The City of Watertown’s declared snow emergency and on-street parking ban is still in effect and will end at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Cars must be removed from all School parking lots at 6 a.m. and all other City-provided parking lots by 7 a.m. Vehicles not removed promptly will hinder snow removal operations and are subject to towing. We greatly appreciate your cooperation.As a reminder, property owners are responsible for removing snow and ice from sidewalks after storms. Please help Watertown stay safe and accessible during the winter season, and please do not shovel snow into the street.

Police/Fire

Watertown Firefighters Douse Chimney Fire on Sunday

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Watertown firefighters put out a fire in a chimney on Mt. Auburn Street. (Photo from the Watertown Fire Department)

The Watertown Fire Department used special equipment to battle a fire that started in a chimney on Sunday on Mt. Auburn Street, and also sent out a warning for residents with fireplaces. The WFD sent out the following announcement on social media:

This morning companies extinguished a chimney fire on Mount Auburn Street.

Government

Schools, City Buildings Closed Monday Due to Snow Storm

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The City of Watertown and the Watertown Public Schools announced closures on Monday due to the snow storm beginning Sunday and continuing into Monday, which could drop up to 2 feet of snow on the area. See details below. Watertown Schools

The Watertown Public Schools will have a snow day for Monday, Jan. 26, according to the following announcement from the WPS website:

“With the snow expected to begin today, with 18–24 inches forecast by Monday. All Watertown Public Schools and offices will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 26, due to unsafe travel conditions.

Government

Residents Express Concerns About Using Flock License Plate Reading Cameras in Watertown

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Members of the Watertown Police Department discussed different technology used by the WPD, including a proposal to use the Flock Safety cameras. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A room full of residents expressed their concerns about the Watertown Police Department’s proposed use of Flock Safety cameras in town, with the biggest issues about how the images collected by the license plate capturing system would be used outside Watertown and who would have access. As the debate over whether cameras should be used in the City, legislation at the state level could help reduce concerns. The Flock cameras were one of several technologies available to the Watertown Police discussed during the Tech Talk at Hosmer School on Wednesday night. While body cameras, tasers, an AI-assisted police bulletin network, and other equipment interested the 30 or so in attendance, the Flock cameras garnered the most attention in the meeting that lasted nearly three hours.