Government

Budget Forecast: State Legislation Will Have Big Impact on Watertown’s FY27 City Budget

By |

For several years, Watertown’s City has operated comfortably on a budget built on the 2.5 percent property tax increase allowed by the State and the added tax revenue from new developments. A mixture of economic uncertainty and the unknown of whether the State Legislature will approve Watertown’s tax relief request means residents could face a major tax increase next year. City Manager George Proakis presented the Preliminary Fiscal Year 2027 Budget to the City Council on Monday night, which has total forecast expenditures of $226.2 million and includes a shortfall of at least $3.6 million. He also told the Council that his aim is to “maintain options and flexibility” in the City’s budget. He stressed the budget figure is an estimate, adding that the numbers are based on the approval of the Home Rule Petition submitted by Watertown to the Legislature.

Around Town

Watertown’s Project Save Hosting First Full Exhibition This Fall & Conversations on Photography

By |

Astrig Agopian’s “Like There’s No Tomorrow”

The following announcement was provided by Project Save:

Project Save Photographic Archive, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving the global Armenian experience through photography, announced today its lineup of fall programming, including its first major exhibition in the organization’s gallery and archive space, and two events in its popular “Conversations on Photography” series. French-Armenian photojournalist and documentary filmmaker Astrig Agopian’s multimedia exhibition Like There’s No Tomorrow will open at Project Save on Nov. 13, 2025 and run through Jan. 17, 2026. The exhibit focuses on the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, a region Armenians have inhabited for millennia and whose cultural heritage has endured centuries of upheaval.

Around Town

Watertown Library Releases Five Year Strategic Plan, See Details

By |

The Watertown Free Public Library. (Courtesy of WFPL)

The Watertown Free Public Library approved a new Strategic Plan in the summer of 2025, and the public is invited to look at the finalized plan. See the announcement from the library, below. Read more about the Watertown Free Public Library FY 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, with an update from Library Director Kim Long (Hewitt):

Hello and happy fall! In June, the Library Trustees voted to approve WFPL’s new Strategic Plan for FY26-2030.

Schools

Superintendent Reviewed Areas Where Watertown Fared Well in the State Accountability Results & Areas that Need More Focus

By |

Watertown had some highlights from the 2025 MCAS test and other accountability measures, including being recognized for the results in some areas, but school officials also identified areas that need more work. Superintendent Dede Galdston presented a report on the 2025 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) accountability results at the Oct. 6 School Committee meeting. The accountability presentation included results of the MCAS tests, as well as measures such as absenteeism and the results of the ACCESS for students who come into schools not speaking English as their primary language, called English Learners. Last week, the Watertown Public Schools announced that Watertown was one of 63 districts across the state that the state DESE recognized for returning to pre-pandemic achievement levels in grades 3-8, and one of 41 recognized for meeting or exceeding achievement levels in math.

Police/Fire

Former St. Stephen’s School Teacher Faces Charges of Possession & Distribution of Child Pornography

By |

The following report was provided by The Waltham Times:

By Isabella LaprioreThe Waltham Times

Stephen McDonough, 60, of 251 Ridge Lane, Waltham, pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of child pornography and distributing material of a child in a sexual act at a Sept. 26 arraignment at Waltham District Court. McDonough was arrested by Massachusetts State Police following the execution of a residential search warrant by the State Police Crime Unit, State Police Crime Scene Service, Middlesex State Police Detective Unit, Waltham Police Department and Watertown Police Department at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 25. According to the police report, McDonough, a former physical education teacher at St.

Schools

Watertown Schools Recognized by State for MCAS Test Results

By |

Watertown students at some grade levels excelled in the math section of the state’s standardized test in 2025. See more details in the announcement provided by the Watertown Public Schools. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has recognized Watertown Public Schools for its efforts in combating pandemic-era learning loss, as part of a larger release of 2025 MCAS data that shows many schools statewide are still struggling with the academic fallout from COVID-19. State education officials reported strong MCAS test scores for Watertown Public Schools, highlighted by Watertown’s performance in math achievement in grades 3-8. WPS is one of only 41 school systems in Massachusetts to meet or exceed its pre-pandemic math achievement in grades 3-8.