The committee looking at Watertown’s Town Charter, like the town’s constitution, will soon be making a vote on whether the Town government should continue with an appointed Town Manger as the chief executive, or whether it should have an elected Mayor.
The Charter Review Committee announced Wednesday that it will take a vote at the April 6 meeting which will be hold remotely on Zoom beginning at 6 p.m.
The Committee seeks input from Watertown residents about which alternative they prefer, and people will have a chance to ask question and give their input during the April 6 meeting.
The Charter Review Committee sent out the following announcement on Wednesday:
The Watertown Charter Review Committee Is Asking: Do You Want A Mayor or A Town Manager?
Background:
Watertown’s Home Rule Charter (The Charter) is our “constitution.” The Charter establishes the framework for how our government operates: the form of government, its structure, functions, and processes, how public officials are elected, how the budget is developed, and the role citizens play in local government. These are some of the important choices articulated in a charter.
Our Charter is reviewed every ten years by a Charter Review Committee. It is an opportunity for a government “checkup” – to discuss what is going well, what can be improved, and what might need to be changed. In January of 2020, Mark Sideris, President of the Town Council, announced that the CRC would be formed and asked residents to apply for the six positions that together with the nine members of the Town Council, make up the CRC.
Due to COVID-19 delays and restrictions, the CRC began reviewing the provisions of the Charter on October 6, 2020. Meetings are held every two weeks on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 6 pm via Zoom. These meetings are public, and participation is encouraged.
The Important Task Before Us:
A critical meeting of the CRC is scheduled for Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 6 PM to discuss and decide the form of government that is preferred as we move forward. Currently (since 1980), we have a “City” form of government – Town Council/Town Manager. An alternate city form of government is Mayor/Council. “Town” form of government options include Open Town Meeting/Selectman or Representative Town Meeting/Selectmen.
This is a very important decision as potential changes to the Town Charter will be dictated, in part, by what form of government will be in in place. Depending on what change recommendations the CRC makes, the Town Council, residents, and possibly the state legislature will need to approve the changes.
Here is your opportunity to ask questions and have your voice heard. The meeting will be open to all for questions and comments regarding this issue.
Again, due to Covid-19 restrictions this meeting will be held remotely. The information on participation by computer, by phone, and by email will be posted on the town website shortly. Please join the meeting, share this information with family, friends, and neighbors so that the CRC can make the best decision for Watertown’s future.
Questions can comments can be sent to crc@watertown-ma.gov
This looks like “change solely for the sake of change.”
What’s the *compelling* reason to have a mayor?
I don’t see any.
And I don’t see any reason to turn the town topsy-turvey over this made-up issue.
I think it’s a power play by “progressives” to show they’re in charge.
“They” are going to elect a mayor and he/she will be beholden to “them.”
Who’s kidding whom?
I agree 100%
I hate the idea of a mayor. Mayors play politics, and public image/re-election season (which never ends) is everything. Managers are responsible to the town council and can make tough political decisions that they can defend to the council, but are politically tougher to sell.
This Town Manager and his staff have been extremely unresponsive to citizens concerns and opinions. There is too much power vested in staff and not enough accountability. If you don’t want a Mayor, what’s your solution? The status quo doesn’t work.
Look at the bad outcomes regarding development and the total bollix that was made of the TMA. Someone needs to be accountable.
Residents have no way of holding the Town Manager accountable. That’s pretty compelling to me.
Very compelling idea. A town manager is not accountable to residents. Mayor is elected directly by residents. It’s time for us to grow up.
Ellen says it all. It’s not change for change’s sake. It is a necessary change to make our town government accountable. An elected Mayor would be beholden to ALL of us. You, too, Sal: You can vote them out of office. It’s democracy
Agree 100% with Ellen. Accountability is the key factor.
So change the charter so that there is more accountability, if that is what is of concern – however, before people throw out the present form of government, look to the fact that this current manager has been able to build two new schools from scratch and to plan to renovate a third, all with existing funds (due to good fiscal management) rather than apply for overrides like our adjoining towns and cities. That’s a pretty big accomplishment.
People should ask themselves what they like and don’t like, and why they want a change. Does that require a mayor or a tweak of the charter to give people what they want? Communicate that to the town committee and one another. That’s what this is all about – hearing from people.
Let’s look at the fact that the schools should have been built a lot earlier – but that was not the manager’s priority. Took a lot of work on the part of citizens to prioritize the school department budget.
I would like for the workers in town under the management to have an advocate with some authority. For there to be accountability from the top to the bottom. For performance reviews from those who work for management which have some outcome without reprisals to those workers. I m not sold on a mayor as long as you have other ways to get some actual accountability I’m all ears? Yes fiscally food job but what about the rest of your house, it is falling down in disrepair
How about hold the Director of Community Devlopment and Planning accountable? Maybe hire somone who lives in watertown?
Yes, it’s all about accountability and transparency. I’d be curious to know how many residents know WHO our current Town Manager is, or in the midst of construction and developmtent projects all over town, who is managing these projets behind the scenes?
If we need an elected Mayor to increase communication, accountability and transparency, then so be it.
Mayors may often say or do things just to please certain supporters and as such may not make much difference in real world accountability.
I would offer that if you want access to the governance and you want to have accountability, perhaps adding a layer of citizen communication ability through technology to allow for more citizen input. Something like a website where every residential address can have a representative ID which can log them into the town forum website (that hosts the topics that effect our lives) and to offer ideas, opinions and votes on these various topics which then can be used to inform the counselors and the town manager in their decision process.
That layer of citizen input is called town meeting and has been the preferred form of government for almost every town in Massachusetts for centuries. Watertown wants less formal input from residents and even the elected officials have little power in Watertown!
Great idea David A.
HOW ABOUT LOOKING AT WHAT THE COUNCIL AND MANAGER
HAVE ACCOMPLISED SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE CHARTER.
WE HAVE BUILT THE SENIOR CENTER
BUILT A NEW POLICE NEW POLICE STATION
BUILT A NEW DPW YARD
BOUGHT AND SOLD THE ARSENAL PROPERTY
AFTER CLEANING IT UP SO IT CAME OFF THE
SUPER FUND LIST
BUILT THE ARTS CENTER
RENOVATED VICTORY FIELD
OUR FIELDS AND TOT LOTS DONE AND WELL KEPT
INSTITUTED CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
DONE OVER STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
CREATED SEVERAL DOG PARKS
INSTITUTED RECYCLING
PUT COMPUTER CENTERS IN PUBLIC HOUSUNG
MORE MONEY THAN EVER FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
MORE FEDERAL AND STATE MONEY THAN EVER
PAYING DOWN UNFUNDED PENSION,
IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING THREE SCHOOLS
JOINED STATE INSURANCE PLAN
AND WITH ALL OF THAT
WERE ABLE TO HAVE TRIPLE AAA CREDIT RATING.
LOOK AROUND,
NOBODY HAS ACCOMPLISHED WHAT WATERTOWN
HAS, AND YOU CAN THANK MICHAEL DRISCOLL
THE TOWN COUNCIL, AND FOR SURE THE
PASSAGE OF THE CHARTER, IT HAS SERVED US WELL!
John, you could not be more wrong. The things that you mention are things that are expected, not miracles. If you look at the poor handling of development, traffic, transportation and the complete bungling of the TMA, you can see clearly that there is a problem.
I know that it is one’s first impulse to stick up for one’s friends, but we are watching our town government stumble as it attempts to handle 21st century problems. Perhaps the Town Manager has listened to you, but he has listened to few others among the citizens who pay his salary. A redistribution of power into a more accountable structure is the only thing that will position Watertown well for the future. This is about the future, not the past.
Big problem is Driscoll has been there FOREVER and is well seasoned in town council manipulation. He also knows where the bodies are buried so to speak.
JOE, I HAVE BEEN WRONG BEFORE BUT NOT ON THIS.
THE TOWN MANAGER IS WIDELY KNOW IN MUNICIPAL
CIRCLES AS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE STATE IF NOT THE BEST
HE CANNOT ANSWER TO EVERY CITIZEN,
THAT IS THE REASON WE CREATED THE DISTRICT
COUNCILORS.
AND IT HAS WORKED OUT WELL.
No sir. You are wrong. You are perhaps not talking to enough people, or only talking to certain people. There is a problem and there is a history of bad outcomes to prove it. And many, many Watertowners agree.
The Town Manager may admittedly have a great record as regards our bond rating, but in other areas, that require being in touch with the folks who pay you. . .well. . .not so much.
Will you provide some examples? John did provide plenty of them. All I am hearing is talk and not substance.
THANKS DEMETRI
Your comment is pretty snarky. But look at the Gables development on Arsenal Street which blights the neighborhood that is forced to look at its backside. There is the poor quality over development on Pleasant Street. Don’t forget worsening traffic problems that are in part connected to development. The as I said before but you seemed to miss poor organization of the TMA and the incompetent handling of the shuttle, which will likely never happen. Need more Demetri?
Joe, weren’t you on the Watertown Public Transit Task force? maybe you could update us with that progress?
Paul, when we formed the Task Force I called the Town Manager to ask him to discuss transportation in Watertown with us. His reply? “I don’t meet with community groups.” In other words, I don’t meet with those who pay my salary. Unacceptable.
The Task Force is now working to force the MBTA to consult riders in Watertown before making major changes to our electric bus service.
What are you doing?
There is no problem
In Watertown.
Every municipality has its detractors who badmouth the ones who run the government most frequently without merit.
Joe, I remember when you were so against the CVS in Coolidge square
Being built,
And now it serves the residents and businesses so well!
No John, there is a problem and many, many of your townsfolk will tell you that, if you listen. As for the CVS, how are you so sure that East Enders like it? Many don’t. Many won’t patronize it.
Thank God for my die hard neighbors who refused to sell their buildings to that developer. They put the town ahead of personal gain. I admire them. We would have a strip mall in Coolidge Square if it weren’t for their devotion to the town. Watertown, in my view, is all about small, unique locally owned businesses.
Oh, by the way, hundreds of people signed the petition against the CVS. Not just me.
If you think that every municipality has its detractors, then Watertown has many who are unhappy and upset. If you have followed the comments over weeks and months, you would understand that there is a lot of discontent.
Sir, you can call me whatever you want, but I think that you are awfully out of touch. You seem to only speak to those who reinforce your views. What may have worked years ago may not be suitable for the present and future.
Hopefully we will agree on something in the future John.
I have lived in Watertown for 20 years now. In the last few years, I have noticed that there are too many developments of residential and commerical properties that is happening in our small town. Watertown is losing its charm to me.
I think the traffic on Arsenal Street in which 2 lanes was merged to single lane is horrible idea and I do everything I can to avoid driving through Watertown Square. I went to a few meetings and gave my opinion regarding the overdevelopment in the area but my opinion counts for nothing. It seems that all the town wants is the revenue from taxes.
What about reducing my property taxes ? You have all this new Development and I am sure you are collecting on the taxes.
where are those people when residents want reduction in their property taxes? anyone out there agree with me?
Oh I know there will be a list of new projects listed in a reply to me as to why we cannot have reduction in property taxes. Also my street is not newly repaved. I was told that my street was on the list. That was over 5 years ago. I bet the new developements will be getting a repavement on their main streets. anyone seeing a trend?
I feel that whatever the councilman/selectman have on their agenda gets done and they do not consider how the residents feel about the place they live and raise their families.
I want a law or some kind of rule/regulation that all the employees of Town of Watertown must live in Watertown. Especially all the traffic/civil engineers that always say”oh the traffic will increase by 6% only” Come and live here then see how it is for the locals. The more the employees of the town live here the more they are vested in making this town a great place to live.
I think that there is some good aspects of having the town manager but I feel that having a Mayor is better.
This is just one opinion in Watertown.