Around Town

Watertown Library Releases Five Year Strategic Plan, See Details

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Government

State of the City: Manager’s New Goals, Charter Review & a Downtown Post Office

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The City of Watertown will have a new set of goals used to create the annual budget and make decisions about how municipal departments operate, City Manager City Manager George Proakis said during Tuesday’s State of the City presentation. During the address, he and City Council President Mark Sideris also discussed the Charter Review set to happen in 2026, and the possibility of having a Post Office in the center of town. This is the second story on the 2025 State of the City Address. See the first story, focused on the factors that could impact Watertown’s economic future, and in turn the City’s budget, by clicking here. New Goals

Proakis has been in town for three years, and has worked with the City Council to create the budget.

Government

State of the City Remains Strong Even as Dark Economic Clouds May be on the Horizon

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City Manager George Proakis, left, and City Council President Mark Sideris presented the State of the City on Sept. 30, 2025. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Despite an uncertain economic future, Watertown remains on solid ground, City Manager George Proakis said during Monday’s State of the City Address. He and City Council President Mark Sideris went into depth about the economic factors impacting the City during the annual address. Proakis concluded the presentation by saying, “Even as we face uncertainties, the State of the City remains strong.”

Government

Council to Weigh Changes to Rules for City Boards and Committees, City Departments

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

The City Council will be weighing in on a 39-page document that sets the rules for how Watertown’s appointed committees and municipal departments operate. Some changes proposed include changing the length of terms for some committees, who appoints members of certain committees, and how to remove members of committees. The City has been working for many months with the Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management at UMass Boston to create an Administrative Code for the City of Watertown, said City Manager George Proakis at the Sept. 23 Council meeting. He provided the Council with a draft Administrative Code, which he said is designed to “serve as a single, consolidated ordinance that outlines the structure and organization of city government that essentially covers boards and commissions and covers city departments.”