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News & Announcements
Swap Shop
The Watertown Swap Shop officially opens on June 7, 2025 at 10AM! Located at the Watertown Recycle Center, we will be allowing donations and shopping from 10AM to 2PM on the first Saturday of the month (unless otherwise posted) through October.
If you are interested in volunteering to help staff the Swap Shop please send an email to Matt Bacon.
S&P AAA Bond Rating
The City of Watertown is pleased to announce that it has received a AAA bond rating – the highest possible rating – by Standard & Poor’s (S&P). This elite rating reflects the City’s exceptional fiscal management, conservative planning, and strong economic outlook as Watertown continues to move forward with large-scale projects to best serve the community.
The City of Watertown has been rated AAA since 2013, and like most municipalities, Watertown relies, in part, on borrowing to finance the cost of large capital projects with an extended lifespan, such as the new high school. When a City borrows, credit rating agencies review and assign their ratings to indicate a recipient’s creditworthiness. When assigning these ratings to a government entity, S&P assesses the community’s economic health, financial performance, budget management, reserves, debt load, and liabilities, to determine the likelihood that the government will be able to repay its debts on time. It was the conclusion of this review for which the City of Watertown was assigned the highest possible rating available, signaling exceptional budgeting practices.
“Each year when we present our budget goals to the City Council and community, we include our conservative but sound budget strategies,” said Watertown City Manager George Proakis, “chief among them is the goal of providing the highest level of services possible with the most efficient utilization of resources, and to ensure sound finance management and fiscal stability. This rating is a sign that we are not only succeeding, but exceeding in doing so”.
Recipients of AAA ratings are often met with lower interest rates when borrowing, a significant benefit to not only the City, but residents as well. The S&P’s review of Watertown comes at a time when the City borrowed its final $50 million for the on-budget and on-schedule Watertown High School building project this year. With this AAA rating, the City will receive a more favorable interest rate, making repayments more manageable, saving Watertown taxpayers money, and allowing for the continued investment in a wide variety of programs and services that further meet the community’s needs. When comparing this borrowing to a AA rating, interest costs for the high school building project will total about $4.6 million less over the 30-year repayment period due to Watertown’s AAA rating.
City Council President Mark Sideris adds “This is an achievement that I am very proud of, being able to maintain the rating especially during this uncertain time, not only for what it means for our Council and the City’s Administration, but also what it means for this community, our residents, and our businesses, present and future. This is going to only help our City continue to invest in what is most important to them”.
Please see S&P’s announcement of the City of Watertown’s recent rating, and be sure to stay up-to-date with the City’s major projects at Watertown-ma.gov.
Closed Memorial Day
Watertown City Hall, Parker Building, Senior Center, Department of Public Works Offices, and the Watertown Free Public Library are closed on Monday, May 26, 2025, in observance of Memorial Day.
Please be aware that there is a one-day delay for trash and recycling pickup due to the Monday holiday. Pickup for the week is Tuesday, May 27 through Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Councilor Caroline Bays's Annual City Councilor Meeting
Please join City Councilor Caroline Bays at her Annual City Councilor Meeting today, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from 6:00 - 7:30 PM.
This meeting is now on Zoom ONLY.
ADA Self Evaluation and Transition Plan
The City of Watertown is completing an ADA Self Evaluation and Transition Plan for its programs and city-owned and operated structures. Working with our vendor, KMA LLC, the city is hosting a public meeting to discuss the draft findings from the ADA. Please join us on May 28, 2025, at 6PM to hear from KMA and the Watertown Commission on Disability and to share your thoughts. The meeting will be held in the City Hall Lower Hearing Room, and via Zoom. See the agenda.
Mount Auburn Street Tree Hearing Statement
At the scheduled tree hearing on May 14, 2025, city staff indicated that the trees on Mount Auburn Street that are scheduled to be removed are not under the purview of the city’s Tree Warden. This information was based upon an interpretation that Mount Auburn Street is a state highway subject to an exemption in Chapter 87, Section 2 of Massachusetts General Laws.
Following further consultation with Legal Counsel, it has been determined that Mount Auburn Street is not classified as a state highway for the purpose of Chapter 87. Therefore, a tree hearing by the city’s Tree Warden will be required for the trees listed on the May 14, 2025 Public Shade Tree Removal Hearing agenda. (See agenda linked below)
This new hearing is now scheduled for June 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused and please refer to watertown-ma.gov for the agenda of the newly scheduled hearing when posted.
Town Wide Yard Sale
Watertown Community Education’s 2025 Town Wide Yard Sale is Saturday, June 7, 2025 & Sunday June 9, 2025, rain or shine. There will not be a rain date.
- Household Items
- Children’s Items
- Furniture
- Antiques
- Clothing
- Jewelry
- Toys
- Collectibles
- Records
- Vintage Goods
- Handmade Crafts
- And more!
Come & find your neighbors’ hidden treasures!
Join us for the annual Town Wide Yard Sale. For one fee of $10, you can schedule your yard sale on Saturday, June 7th, Sunday, June 8th, or both days! We'll do the advertising, provide a list of addresses to buyers and make it a community event for all to enjoy!!!
Please access the online 2025 Watertown Community Education Town Wide Yard Sale Registration Form.
Upon completing the form, you will receive instructions on how to make payment.
The Deadline to Register is Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
A list of participating houses will be available on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
Follow the 2025 Town Wide Yard Sale on Facebook.
For questions or comments, please contact Jeff Bodner at 617-926-7764 (office), 857-241-8499 (cell), or jeffrey.bodner@watertown.k12.ma.us.
Historical Commission 2025 Preservation Awards
Meet the Director and DPW Open House
Come meet Watertown’s DPW Director, Tom Brady, and the whole DPW team on May 20, 2025, from 5-7:30pm at 124 Orchard Street for Watertown’s first Meet the Director and DPW Open House!
Join the fun to learn more about all the important work Watertown’s Public Works staff does to keep our community great! Each of the below teams will be stationed at booths to answer questions, engage you in hands-on exhibits, and you can also explore some of the trucks in the DPW Fleet. See the map of the stations you can expect at the event. We can’t wait to see you there!
- Meet the DPW Director Tom Brady!
- Administration
- Engineering
- DPW Fleet
- Forestry
- Parks & Cemeteries
- Highways Department
- Solid Waste
- Traffic & Wiring
- Water & Sewer
Eco Fest!
The City of Watertown's first Resilient Watertown Eco Fest is Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 11am-2pm at the Commander's Mansion, located at 440 Talcott Ave. It is open to the public and free to attend.
Come join us to learn about how to make your life greener, explore sustainability concepts, and have some fun along the way. The day will include exhibits and activities from a wide range of vendors, community groups, City committees, and services.
Eco Fest is confirming more vendors and event experiences every day, including:
- Solar vendors
- Food vendors Seed Bakery (pastries and boba tea) and Flavor Boom (lunch)
- E-bike test rides with Farina’s
- 30 minute heat pump talk with Loie Hayes of Green Energy Consumers Alliance
Panel discussion on Watertown’s sustainability work with Watertown’s City Council President, Assistant Director for Energy Management, and Sustainability Manager. Moderated by Erika Oliver Jerram, Director of Community Design.
Learn more on the Watertown Eco Fest website.
We hope you can join us for this exciting new event as we work together to build a greener future!
HomeWorks Energy Letters
Charles Watershed
Learn about the Charles Watershed and your community's updated flood maps on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, any time between 4-7pm at Quincy City Hall, located at 1305 Hancock Street in Quincy, in the General Room in the Basement of City Hall.
Do you have questions about your flood risk and insurance? FEMA has answers!
Join FEMA for an Open House where you can speak directly with local, state, and FEMA experts.
Whether you live or work in the area, this is your chance to gain vital information about flood risks and insurance options.
If you have questions, you can either reach out to the DCR Flood Hazard Management Program for the Charles River Watershed or Watertown Planning.
Councilor Emily Izzo at her Individual Annual City Councilor Meeting
Parking at an EV Charging Station
Beginning on May 1, 2025, users of the City of Watertown’s EV charging stations will be charged a rate of $0.25 per kWh to charge their vehicle. The City of Watertown owns 29 EV charging stations across the city for public use, located at:
- Watertown Free Public Library parking lot - 4 plugs
- Howard Street Parking Lot - 6 plugs
- Lowell Elementary School - 1 plug but restricted to school staff during the day
- Cunniff Elementary School - 3 plugs but restricted to school staff during the day
- Hosmer Elementary School - 6 plugs but restricted to school staff during the day
- Department of Public Works - 8 plugs (open to public 5pm – 6am)
The income gathered will go toward the City’s sustainability goals in the future.
The EV charging stations at the three elementary schools (Lowell, Cunniff, and Hosmer) will be open to the public outside of school hours, from 6pm – 6am. The EV charging stations at the Department of Public Works headquarters at 124 Orchard Street are made available to the public from 5pm – 6am. Standard charging rates apply.
Please note that in the case that a vehicle remains plugged in after being fully charged, the rate will become $1 per 15-minutes to encourage space availability when vehicles are done charging.
Also, please remember to pay the parking meter or use the Passport mobile app when parking in Watertown.
If you have any questions, please contact Watertown’s 311 Service Center by dialing 311 in Watertown, or 617-715-8660.
Join the Stormwater Advisory Committee
Join the Community Preservation Committee
City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Community Preservation Committee.
The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) makes recommendations for the use of Community Preservation funds for initiatives related to open space, outdoor recreation, historic resources, and community housing. The CPC has the following key responsibilities: study the community preservation needs, possibilities, and resources of Watertown; solicit input from City Boards and Commissions and hold an annual public hearing to solicit public input; prepare a Community Preservation Plan and application process for vetting project proposals; vote on a slate of project recommendations and submit them to the City Council; submit an annual budget to the City Council; and keep records regarding all CPC meetings, project applications, funding recommendations, and annual budgetary reports.
Interested applicants can apply online.
Fair Housing in Watertown Meeting
Join us at the Fair Housing in Watertown Meeting on Wednesday April 30, 2025, from 6:00 – 7:30 pm virtually via Zoom, at: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/91712481602. (The public may also join the virtual meeting audio only by phone: 877-853-5257 or 888-475-4499 (Toll Free) and enter Webinar ID: 917 1248 1602)
Sophia Suarez-Friedman will talk about what she has learned helping individuals and families find housing in Watertown. Elizabeth Brusie and Cliff Cook will co-moderate and discuss steps the city can take to combat housing discrimination.
There will be a panel discussion, with opportunities for public participation, with:
- Kelly Vieira, Director of Investigations and Outreach for Suffolk University Law School’s Housing Discrimination Testing Program
- Sophia Suarez-Friedman, LICSW, Program Coordinator at the Wayside Multi-Service Center
- Elizabeth Brusie, Human Rights Commissioner
- Cliff Cook, Affordable Housing Trust Chair
This meeting is in response to a February 2025 report, commissioned by the WestMetro HOME Consortium (13 communities, including Watertown), that found evidence of race and/or source of income discrimination in every community. The testing was conducted by Suffolk Law School. Kelly Vieira will discuss the basics of fair housing law and the report’s findings.
Eco Fest
The City of Watertown's first Resilient Watertown Eco Fest is scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 11am-2pm at the Commander's Mansion, located at 440 Talcott Ave. It is open to the public and free to attend.
Come join us to learn about how to make your life greener, explore sustainability concepts, and have some fun along the way. The day will include exhibits and activities from a wide range of vendors, community groups, City committees, and services.
Eco Fest is confirming more vendors and event experiences every day, including:
- Solar vendors
- Food vendors Seed Bakery (pastries and boba tea) and Flavor Boom (lunch)
- E-bike test rides with Farina’s
- 30 minute heat pump talk with Loie Hayes of Green Energy Consumers Alliance
Panel discussion on Watertown’s sustainability work with Watertown’s City Council President, Assistant Director for Energy Management, and Sustainability Manager. Moderated by Erika Oliver Jerram, Director of Community Design.
Learn more on the Watertown Eco Fest website.
We hope you can join us for this exciting new event as we work together to build a greener future!
Water Main Break
Update - The water was turned back on, on at 3:02pm on April 22, 2025. Thank you, residents and businesses, for your patience, and thank you to our Public Works team for repairing the water main.
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The Department of Public Works has announced a water main break at Elton Ave and Nichols Ave. This is a main supply line causing significant impact. To complete this repair, the water has been shut off at multiple locations. Crews are on site working on repairs. We will advise when the water supply is restored. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience as our team works to resolve the issue promptly.
Patriots Day
DPW and 311 Hours on Friday, April 18, 2025
Please be aware that on Friday, April 18, 2025, the Department of Public Works office is closing at 11 AM, and Watertown 311 will close at 1:00 PM, in observance of Good Friday.
If you would like to contact 311/Constituent Services, we advise that you send an email to 311@watertown-ma.gov or leave a voicemail at 311 (or 617-715-8660) if you want to contact Constituent Services. They will reply promptly the morning of Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Meet the Director and DPW Open House”
Save the Date! Come celebrate National Public Works Week at Watertown’s “Meet the Director and DPW Open House” on May 20, 2025, from 5-7:30pm at 124 Orchard Street.
All are invited to meet Watertown’s new Director of Public Works, Tom Brady, and the DPW staff to ask questions, engage in exhibits showing how they accomplish all the important work they do for our community, and also, touch a truck!
We hope to see you then and stay tuned for more details about this event in the coming weeks,
The City of Watertown is officially compliant with the MBTA Communities Law!
The official notice of compliance was sent to City Manager George Proakis on April 9, 2025. This marks a significant step toward the ultimate goals in implementing the Watertown Square Area Plan, and revitalizing Watertown's downtown.
A (Very) Brief History to MBTA Communities Law Compliance
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts adopted the MBTA Communities Law in January 2021. This required 177 Cities and Towns to establish "at least one district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right." The purpose of the law is to allow for the opportunity to produce new housing by-right, and doing so in areas near transit.
Watertown, along with most other communities that do not have a rapid transit system in it, was required to submit compliant zoning to the Commonwealth's Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) by December 31, 2024.
For Watertown, a significant part of compliance meant zoning for a minimum by-right housing unit capacity of 1,701 housing units. Unit capacity means the maximum number of possible units zoning allows on a particular site, including all existing units.
After a series of Kitchen Table Conversations, a 3-day design charrette, three well attended community meetings, three sessions of a Joint Hearing to discuss and approve the Watertown Square Plan, and five sessions of a Hearing to discuss the zoning amendments, the City Council unanimously voted to approve a compliant zoning amendment package and zoning map on November 14, 2024.
In the weeks following, City staff compiled and submitted the compliance report to the EOHLC prior to the December 31, 2024 deadline. On April 9, 2025, the EOHLC responded with a recognition of compliance.
What is Next for the Watertown Square Area Plan Implementation?
The next steps in the implementation of the Watertown Square Area Plan is to further refine the roadway design (which includes streetscape, sidewalk, and open space) and redevelopment planning for the Square. The first steps in these processes are to release "Requests for Qualifications" (RFQ), which requests qualified consultants to propose to the City their abilities in executing the implementation of the Watertown Square Area Plan. That process for the redevelopment planning is underway, with the release of the RFQ for the roadway planning upcoming as well.
The goal of the redevelopment planning is to further examine and implement the vision of the community and City in revitalizing Watertown Square. The roadway planning will further refine the streetscape, sidewalk, and open space engineering design recommended in the Plan, do detailed traffic testing, and design a road network that best positions the Square for success.
You can expect engagement opportunities to participate in the coming months. Stay connected through Watertown Square Improvements emails, by visiting the City's website, and social media (Facebook and Instagram).
Watertown Affordable Housing Trust
Councilor Vinnie Piccirilli's Annual Councilor Meeting
Councilor Vinnie Piccirilli's Annual Councilor Meeting is Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 6:00PM to 8:00PM in the City Council Chamber in City Hall. This is an in-person meeting only, not hybrid.