Government

City Council Passes Budget, Now Await Legislature’s Decision on Tax Relief

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Watertown City and State officials appeared before a joint committee at the State House on Jan. 27, 2026. Pictured, from left, Steve Owens, George Proakis, John Lawn, Earl Smith, and Mark Sideris. The City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, but the City’s financial future could be darkened if the State does not approve a tax relief legislation submitted by the City. The Council unanimously approved the $226.21 million budget on Tuesday night without any changes from the one presented by City Manager George Proakis in April.

Sports

Gold Kings Hockey Will Face New Foes Next Season, League Gets New Name

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The Boston Gold Kings will host a pair of new additions to their league at John A. Ryan Arena in 2o26-27. (Courtesy of the Boston Gold Kings)

The Boston Gold Kings made it all the way to the finals for the second year in a row in 2025-26, this time falling in the last round. The Watertown-based hockey team will have more competition in 2026-27, as the league expands. Gold Kings General Manager and Director of Hockey Cameron Labrecque said the team followed its 2024-25 Championship season with another strong performance, falling to the Hudson Valley Reapers in the finals. “I think this was a very successful year.

Around Town

Sacrifices of Veterans Remembered at Memorial Day Ceremony; Importance of Veterans Benefits Discussed

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Members of Watertown Veterans organizations hold the flags during the 2026 Memorial Day Ceremony at Victory Field. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

For former Marine George McMasters Memorial Day gives him mixed feelings, and is a time when he can remember his compatriots who were lost in battle. The Watertown resident spoke during the Memorial Day Ceremony at Victory Field, held after Monday’s Memorial Day Parade. “I have mixed feelings. It’s kind of a sad day for me,” McMaster said.

Around Town

Community Food Drive Aims to Help Restock Watertown’s Food Pantries for Summertime Need

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation will host their annual city-wide food drive during Watertown Helps Out from May 26 – June 9, in collaboration with the City of Watertown. This year’s food drive is sponsored by ButcherBox, the Watertown based direct-to-consumer meat and seafood brand. “The rising cost of food and changes to federal benefit eligibility have made local food access programs, especially Watertown’s food pantries, more important than ever for many residents. Food donations tend to slow down over the summer compared to the holiday season, so extra community support is especially meaningful during this time,” said Jenna Bancroft, the City of Watertown’s Human Services Director. This summer food drive will collect kid-friendly foods and snacks, in addition to important non- perishables and hygiene supplies to keep kids and families healthy all summer-long.

Around Town

See Who Will March in Watertown’s Memorial Day Parade, the Parade Route

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Watertown veterans marched in the 2024 Memorial Day Parade. (Photo by Natalie Nigito Photography)

The 2026 Memorial Day Parade, featuring Watertown veterans, youth sports, and other community groups, will be held on Monday, May 25, beginning at noon. A ceremony with Watertown’s veterans group will take place at the end of the parade. Each year, Watertown pays tribute to current and past veterans during the Memorial Day Parade. The procession begins at noon.

Around Town

Fire Department Looking to Hire Paramedics to Run 2 Ambulances; Keep Hydrants Snow Free

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The Watertown Fire Department received funding this year to run two ambulances, and now the challenge is to hire enough paramedics to run both. Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson also discussed a fire during the winter when a hydrant had to be shoveled out so that multiple hoses could be used to fight the fire. In 2025, the City Council approved funding for eight more paramedics so that a second ambulance could be run by the Watertown Fire Department 24/7. City Manager George Proakis said he has been working with Nicholson, the Human Resources Office to try to get enough staff on board, and opened an alternative pathway for hiring under Civil Service. Nicholson said the Fire Department has made some hires, but still have a couple of openings, and more are expected over the summer.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Pulls Taser on Tow Truck Driver, Checks Intercepted and Altered

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. May 11: Toyota of Watertown reported a check fraud case. The dealership had written a check for $20,491 to Sullivan Tire on May 5, and sometime between then and May 8 the check was intercepted and the “pay to” line was changed. Police are investigating. May 11: Target security stopped a man and a woman who took $210 in clothing and health and beauty items. The two were summoned to Waltham District Court on a charge of larceny under $1,200.

Government

Veterans Services Being Run by Human Services Director as City Seeks to Fill Position

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Watertown veterans presented the colors during the 2025 Memorial Day Ceremony. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown currently lacks a dedicated veterans services officer, but while the City works to fill the opening the Director of Human Services has taken on most of that role. Jenna Bancroft, the director of the Human Services Department, has been working to get veterans their benefits, and is helping to plan the Memorial Day Parade and related events, she told the City Council at the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget hearing on May 6. In Fiscal Year 2026, the current year, the Veterans Services Department merged into the newly created Human Services Department, said City Manager George Proakis. The City hired Jay Terminiello in October 2025, succeeding longtime VSO Patrick George.