Watertown Cable News

08/25/2026

The Watertown School Committee has approved a new ad hoc Student Services Subcommittee and plans to hold a dedicated public listening session for caregivers as the district works to address ongoing concerns about special education.

The new subcommittee will be chaired by School Committee member Sheila Krishnan and will also include Rachel Kay and Jessica Middlebrook. Its meetings will be open to the public and will provide a forum for deeper discussions about student services.

The committee also voted unanimously to hold a separate public meeting where parents and caregivers can speak at greater length about their experiences with the district. Families have requested an opportunity to share their concerns without the three-minute limit used during regular School Committee public forums.

A date for the listening session has not yet been announced.

08/25/2026

Watertown commuters are among the riders expected to benefit from new MBTA fare initiatives taking effect this fall.

Beginning Sept. 1, express bus fares will drop from $4.25 to the standard $1.70 local bus fare as part of a six-month pilot program. The change includes Watertown’s 504 Express Bus to downtown Boston.

The MBTA will also launch an expanded two-hour transfer program allowing riders to make nearly unlimited bus, subway and ferry transfers while paying only the highest fare incurred during the window.

The Healey administration is also extending 50% discounts on monthly Commuter Rail passes through November, along with $1 weekend companion fares for monthly pass holders.

08/24/2026

The Watertown City Council has approved $990,000 in Community Preservation Act funding to advance the Walker Pond improvement project.

The funding will pay for the project’s next phase, including design development, construction drawings, cost estimates, environmental and engineering work, wetland permitting and construction bid services.

Plans call for preserving Walker Pond primarily as a passive recreational space while adding improvements such as walking paths, boardwalks, recreational areas, tree plantings and woodland management.

The overall construction cost is currently estimated at between $8 million and $10 million. City officials said the design process could take nine to 12 months after a landscape architect is selected, with construction now likely to begin in 2028.

The city will also explore state, federal and other funding opportunities to help cover future construction costs.

08/23/2026

Classic cars and community giving came together at the Commander’s Mansion for the third annual Watertown Wheels on Aug. 2.

The event gave visitors a chance to see a variety of classic and restored vehicles while meeting the owners behind them. This year’s show also supported the Watertown Food Pantry through its “Fill a Truck” food drive.

Organizers said the event raised more than $500 and collected hundreds of donated items for the pantry.

Watch WCA-TV’s coverage to see some of the cars and hear the stories behind them.

Commander's Mansion

08/21/2026

With the opening of the new Watertown High School just weeks away, project officials are racing to complete final inspections and secure a certificate of occupancy.

At the Aug. 19 School Building Committee meeting, officials detailed remaining accessibility work, ongoing solar construction and other projects that will continue into the school year. The Sept. 2 ribbon cutting remains on schedule.

Watch our full report for the latest on the final push to open the new high school.

08/21/2026

Creativity was on full display at the Watertown Arts Market! 🎨

Artists, makers, musicians and food vendors gathered at Arsenal Park on Aug. 8 for an afternoon celebrating art and community.

WCA-TV caught up with some of the many vendors to learn more about their work, their creative processes and what inspires them.

Arts Market YTOver 100 artists, makers, musicians and food vendors gathered at Arsenal Park on Aug. 8, 2026 for the annual Watertown Arts Market, showcasing creative work from Watertown and across the Greater Boston area. The five-hour event featured a wide range of art and handmade goods, including...

08/20/2026

🎙️ A new spoken word album created right here in Watertown is ready to make its debut.

Lyrical Faith, the Mosesian Center for the Arts’ inaugural 2026 Ignite Fellow, will premiere an original spoken word album during a special listening party Tuesday, Sept. 1.

From April through June, Lyrical Faith used her artist residency at Mosesian Arts to write, record and refine the album alongside producer and musician Citixen Joy. The project blends poetry, music and storytelling and was developed with the studio space, professional development and creative resources provided through the Ignite Fellowship.

The listening party begins at 6 p.m. in the Dinah Lane Theater at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St., and will include selections from the album, a conversation about the creative process and a reception with the artist.

Mosesian Center for the Arts

08/19/2026

Hundreds of community members turned out for the Watertown Police Department’s annual National Night Out celebration Aug. 4, co-organized by the Watertown Police Department and Watertown Recreation Department.

The event brought residents together with local police officers, recreation staff and community partners for an evening of free family activities. The celebration included food, games, bounce houses, face painting, Touch-a-Truck activities and the city’s annual summer movie night.

One of the night’s highlights was a K-9 demonstration featuring Watertown and Waltham police K-9s Zane and Hondo, who showcased their training in obedience, tracking and detection.

Watertown Police Capt. Dan Unsworth and Watertown Recreation Director Ernie Thibodeau discussed the event’s growth and the importance of bringing the community together. Unsworth said National Night Out gives residents an opportunity to learn more about the Police Department and meet officers outside of emergency situations.

Organizers said this year’s event drew an even bigger crowd than in 2025, with hopes of continuing to build on the celebration and welcome even more residents next year.

08/18/2026

The Watertown Rotary Club will host its annual free Senior Citizens Cookout on Sunday, Sept. 13, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Sons of Italy Hall, 520 Pleasant St. in Watertown.

The community event will feature hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, prizes, giveaways and more for local seniors.

For more information, email [email protected]. Seniors who need transportation assistance can contact the Watertown Senior Center at 617-972-6490.

08/14/2026

The Watertown Community Foundation has welcomed four new members to its board of directors over the past year.

Rachel Kaprielian, Christina Murphy, Dwayne Parmley and Erin Webb join the foundation, bringing experience in public service, communications, finance, education, fundraising and nonprofit leadership.

Kaprielian is president and CEO of Triangle, Inc., and previously served as a Watertown councilor at-large and represented Watertown in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Murphy is director of communications at C4 Innovations and has been active with Watertown Public Schools.

Parmley is a senior portfolio manager at Arbella Insurance Group and serves as treasurer of BSA Troop 30 in Watertown.

Webb is director of annual giving and engagement at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and serves on the Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee.

The foundation’s board provides strategic leadership for its grantmaking efforts, oversees financial resources and helps identify needs and opportunities in Watertown.

Founded in 2003 with funds from the sale of the Watertown Arsenal property, the Watertown Community Foundation has awarded more than $3 million in grants to support the community.

Watertown Community Foundation