Government & development in Watertown

Brownsberger Edges Out Lander in Tight Primary

Sep 2 · The Boston Globe →

Lawn Defeats Leary in 10th Middlesex Primary Rematch

Sep 2 · Fig City News →

Comment Deadline Sept. 15 on Watertown Square Post Office Closure

Sep 2 · Watertown News →

Inquest Scheduled in Fatal Police Shooting of Watertown Man

Sep 2 · Patch →

State primary election held in Watertown today

Sep 1 · City of Watertown →

Money gap widens between Lawn and Leary ahead of primary

Sep 1 · Fig City News →

Former Watertown Housing chief agrees to deal over stolen funds

Sep 1 · Newton Beacon →

Labor Day will delay trash and recycling pickup

Sep 1 · Watertown Public Works →

State Primary Election Set for Tuesday, Sept. 1

Aug 31 · City of Watertown →

Mt. Auburn Street Work Starts Today; Bus Stops Move

Aug 31 · Watertown News →

Council President Endorses Brownsberger Ahead of Primary

Aug 30 · Watertown News →

State Primary Voting Tue at Munger Apartments

Aug 30 · Watertown Housing Authority →

Former Councilor Palomba Flips Endorsement to Lander

Aug 30 · Watertown News →

Yard Waste Pickup Returns to Weekly Schedule Starting Aug. 31

Aug 30 · City of Watertown →

State Rep Rematch: Lawn vs. Leary Q&As Published Ahead of Sept. 1

Aug 29 · Watertown News →

Final Day of Early In-Person Voting for State Primary

Aug 28 · City of Watertown →

Residents Urged to Weigh In on Watertown Square Post Office Study

Aug 28 · City of Watertown →

Letters Spar Over Proposed Parking Garage in Watertown Square

Aug 27 · Watertown News →

ZBA Heard Target Curbside and Clarendon Storage Plans

Aug 27 · City of Watertown →

Watertown Resident Killed by Cambridge Police Identified as William Woodworth

The Middlesex District Attorney's office identified 64-year-old William Woodworth, a Watertown resident, as the man fatally shot by Cambridge police on Friday night, Aug. 21, 2026.

Aug 26 · Cambridge Day →

State Senate Candidate Q&As Posted Before Sept. 1 Primary

Watertown News published candidate Q&As for Will Brownsberger and Daniel Lander ahead of the Suffolk and Middlesex State Senate primary on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026.

Aug 26 · Watertown News →

East Watertown fire displaces seven residents

A Saturday night fire at 41-43 Keenan St. left a two-family home uninhabitable, displacing seven residents; one firefighter was evaluated for heat-related symptoms.

Aug 25 · Watertown News →

City Council to Weigh In on Watertown Square Demonstration Project

The City Council, acting as the Redevelopment Authority, will hold an initial discussion on the Demonstration Project, part of the ongoing effort to reshape Watertown Square.

Aug 24 · City of Watertown →

Overnight Paving Brings Watertown Square Detours

Overnight paving runs Monday, Aug. 24 through Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. in Watertown Square, with detours posted.

Aug 24 · Watertown News →

Roadwork Shifts MBTA 71 Stops on Mt. Auburn Street

Mt. Auburn Street work runs Monday, Aug. 24 through Friday, Aug. 28, including road reconstruction, sidewalk work, lane shifts, parking restrictions, and temporary relocation of three MBTA Route 71 stops.

Aug 24 · Watertown News →

Voter Registration Deadline Passes, Early Voting Underway

Voter registration for the Sept. 1 Massachusetts State Primary closed Saturday, Aug. 22. Early voting continues today, Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Hall's Lower Hearing Room.

Aug 23 · City of Watertown →

Early voting for State Primary runs Mon.-Fri. at City Hall

Early in-person voting for the State Primary runs Monday, Aug. 24 through Friday, Aug. 28 at Watertown City Hall, with hours generally 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (until 7 p.m. Tuesday, until 2 p.m. Friday).

Aug 23 · City of Watertown →

DPW Posts Construction Work Schedule for the Week

For the week of Aug. 23, Watertown DPW lists work on water meters, the high school project, park projects, road paving, Mount Auburn Street, utilities, and National Grid/Eversource sites, with possible closures, detours and minor delays.

Aug 23 · City of Watertown Department of Public Works →

Senate Candidates Brownsberger and Lander Debate Housing, Transit

Incumbent State Senator Will Brownsberger and challenger Daniel Lander met in a virtual debate Thursday, Aug. 20, hosted by the Charles River Chamber of Commerce, addressing rent control and zoning issues affecting Watertown.

Aug 21 · GBH News →

Community Preservation Committee Meets Tonight

The Community Preservation Committee meets tonight, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m.; see the city's posted agenda for details.

Aug 20 · City of Watertown →

Committee Appointed to Oversee New Senior Center Construction

A Building Committee was appointed Aug. 17 to oversee design and construction of the new Watertown Senior Center, which will replace the current Marshall Street facility.

Aug 19 · Watertown News →

Boys & Girls Club still battling illegal dumping in parking lot

The Watertown Boys & Girls Club has faced months of illegal dumping of furniture and trash in its lot and is now working with police to address the costly problem.

Aug 18 · CBS Boston →

Sustainability team launches new HeatSmart program

The City of Watertown's Sustainability Team, with MassEnergize and HeatSmart Alliance, launched a new program to help residents with home energy upgrades.

Aug 18 · Town of Watertown →

Mt. Auburn Street Work Brings Detours, Bus Stop Move

From Aug. 17-21, Mt. Auburn Street reconstruction detours Chauncey Street access and continues sidewalk work; MBTA Route 71 stop 2038 temporarily relocates to Mt. Auburn Street at Richards Road.

Aug 17 · Watertown News →

School Committee Member Switches Senate Primary Endorsement

Watertown School Committee member Jessica Middlebrook announced Aug. 16 that she's shifting her Democratic primary endorsement from incumbent Will Brownsberger to Daniel Lander, citing schools, affordability, and housing issues.

Aug 17 · Watertown News →

School Building Committee to Review High School Milestones

The Watertown School Building Committee meets Aug. 19 to review final construction details of the new high school ahead of its September grand opening.

Aug 17 · Watertown Public Schools →

Voter Registration Deadline Aug. 22 Ahead of Sept. 1 Primary

Massachusetts' State Primary Election is Sept. 1, 2026. The deadline to register to vote is Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026.

Aug 16 · City of Watertown / Watertown DPW →

Voter registration deadline, early voting start Saturday

Register to vote by 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, and cast an early ballot that day 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at City Hall, 149 Main Street.

Aug 16 · Watertown, MA - Official Website →

Former Senator Steve Tolman Endorses Daniel Lander

Former State Senator and AFL-CIO President Steve Tolman endorsed Daniel Lander on Aug. 15, 2026, in the Democratic primary for the Suffolk and Middlesex District, which includes Watertown.

Aug 16 · Watertown News →

Early voting continues Sunday at City Hall

Early in-person voting for the Sept. 1 State Primary continues Sunday, Aug. 23, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Watertown City Hall, 149 Main Street.

Aug 16 · Watertown, MA - Official Website →

MBTA Fare Pilots to Benefit Watertown Riders

Three MBTA fare pilots launching in September 2026 will cut express bus fares, extend two-hour transfers, and offer free rides for eligible riders age 75 and older, benefiting Watertown's 504 Express Bus riders.

Aug 16 · Watertown News →

State Senate primary debate airs online Thursday

The Charles River Regional Chamber hosts a live debate between Will Brownsberger and Daniel Lander Thursday, Aug. 20, 1-2 p.m. online.

Aug 16 · Watertown News →

Council Approves Nearly $1M for Walker Pond Phase 2 Work

The Watertown City Council voted Aug. 11 to put $990,000 in Community Preservation Act funds toward Phase 2 design and environmental permitting for the Walker Pond park development.

Aug 15 · Watertown News →

State Senate Primary Debate Rescheduled for Aug. 20

The Charles River Regional Chamber has rescheduled its State Senate primary debate between Will Brownsberger and Daniel Lander to Thursday, Aug. 20, from 1-2 p.m.

Aug 15 · Watertown News →

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Available Today

Watertown residents can use the Minuteman Household Hazardous Waste Products Regional Facility in Lexington today, Aug. 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; proof of residency and pre-registration are required.

Aug 15 · City of Watertown →

Watertown releases early voting schedule for primary

Early voting for the Sept. 1 State Primary runs Aug. 22-28 in City Hall's Lower Hearing Room. The voter-registration deadline is Aug. 22 at 5 p.m., and vote-by-mail applications are due Aug. 25.

Aug 14 · Watertown News →

Letter backs Brownsberger as progressive choice

A letter to the editor from a former Progressive Massachusetts board president argues incumbent Sen. Will Brownsberger remains the most practical, effective choice for progressive legislation on Beacon Hill.

Aug 14 · Watertown News →

Mindful walk planned at Mount Auburn Cemetery

Ecotherapist Stefanie Haug leads a guided mindful walk through Mount Auburn Cemetery on Sunday, Aug. 16 from 10-11:30 a.m.

Aug 14 · Watertown News →

AFL-CIO endorses Daniel Lander for state Senate

State Senate candidate Daniel Lander announced Wednesday that his campaign received the endorsement of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO in his primary race against incumbent Will Brownsberger.

Aug 13 · Watertown News →

Council discusses Square redevelopment and parking garage options

On Monday, Aug. 10, the City Council, acting as the Redevelopment Authority, discussed a draft Demonstration Project plan for Watertown Square that includes a multi-story parking garage, residential development, and open green space behind CVS.

Aug 12 · Watertown News →

Healey endorses John Lawn in 10th Middlesex race

Gov. Maura Healey endorsed Rep. John Lawn for re-election in the 10th Middlesex state representative race, which includes parts of Watertown, Watertown News reported Tuesday.

Aug 12 · Watertown News →

Mt. Auburn Street Work Brings Detours, Bus Stop Moves

Full-depth road reconstruction on Mt. Auburn Street this week (Aug. 10-14) is causing detours on Mt. Auburn, Boylston Street, and Stearns Road, with two MBTA Route 71 stops near Amherst Road and Boylston Street temporarily relocated.

Aug 10 · Watertown News →

Six Residential Properties Sold in Watertown This Week

Six local homes sold recently, including three townhouses, a single-family home, a two-family home, and a condo, with prices ranging from $380,000 for a Repton Circle condo to $1.32 million for a single-family home on Beacon Park.

Aug 10 · Watertown News →

Human Rights Commission Meets Tonight to Address Immigrant Rights

The Watertown Human Rights Commission convenes at City Hall Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM to discuss the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians and review a draft letter to the School Committee.

Aug 10 · City of Watertown →

City Council Meets Tuesday Evening

The Watertown City Council meets Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Mastrangelo Council Chambers to discuss standard municipal business.

Aug 10 · City of Watertown →

Community development office relocating to Parker Building

Watertown's Community Development and Planning staff move from City Hall to the Parker Building at 124 Watertown St., next to Casey Park, starting Aug. 10, 2026, with the move expected to finish by Aug. 14.

Aug 9 · Watertown News →

Former councilor Angie Kounelis endorses Brownsberger

In a letter published Aug. 8, 2026, retired District A East End Councilor Angeline Kounelis endorsed Sen. Will Brownsberger for re-election in the state Senate primary.

Aug 9 · Watertown News →

City Council Redevelopment Authority meets on Watertown Square plan

The City Council, sitting as the Redevelopment Authority, will hold a hybrid public meeting to discuss the Watertown Square Demonstration Project plan on Monday, August 10 at 6:00 p.m. in the Watertown Savings Bank Room at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main Street.

Aug 9 · Watertown Square Improvements →

Flock Camera Backlash Spreads; Watertown Among Cities That Pulled Out

A regional report finds Cambridge, Watertown, and Framingham have canceled, allowed to expire, or terminated contracts over privacy and federal data-sharing concerns tied to Flock Safety license-plate cameras.

Aug 9 · Bay State Banner →

Edible Plants 2027 Project Seeks Local Culinary Partners

The Watertown Public Arts & Culture Committee has opened applications through Sept. 20 for local restaurants and caterers to receive a $2,000 stipend to develop recipes using local wild plants for its 'Edible Plants 2027' campaign.

Aug 9 · Watertown News →