Government

Residents Wanted to Serve on the Community Preservation Committee

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The City of Watertown seeks applications from residents seeking to serve on the Community Preservation Committee. See information below. City Manager George J. Proakis is inviting Watertown residents to apply for membership on the Community Preservation Committee. Interested applicants should complete and submit a Universal Application. 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.

Government

City Council Votes to Make Renovating Watertown Middle School a Priority

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Watertown Middle School

Watertown Middle School will be the next major project constructed by the City of Watertown. Tuesday night, the City Council voted to move the school to the top of the Capital Projects list. One of the primary reasons was to take advantage of the cost savings provided by using the modular classes set up on Moxley Field for students while the school is under construction. The City Council held a special meeting after City Manager George Proakis asked Councilors said a decision must be made about when to take on the middle school project because the modular classrooms currently serving as the temporary Watertown High School will be removed in 2026 unless the City extends the lease. The Middle School is not the only project on the list of priorities.

Government

Council Approves Watertown Square Zoning Changes With Increased Sustainability Requirements & Other Changes

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The zoning map recommended by the Planning Board on October 30, 2024. After nearly a year of planning, meetings and discussion, the Watertown Square Area Plan zoning changes have been adopted by the City Council. The updated zoning will meet the State’s housing requirements, even after trimming back some of the recommendations from the Planning Board, and the Council increased the green building requirements for new projects. Thursday night, the Council approved the Watertown Square Zoning unanimously. They included a majority of the changes recommended by the Planning Board on Oct.

Government

Watertown Residents Wanted to Serve on Several Committees and Boards

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Residents have the opportunity to apply to serve on multiple City of Watertown committees and boards, including the Residents Advisory Committee, the Licensing Board, the Historic District Commission, the Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee, the Watertown Cultural Council, and the Conservation Commission. The City provided the following information:

City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on multiple committees and boards. Interested applicants should complete and submit a Universal Application. 

The Licensing Board issues all licenses in the City and has jurisdiction over licenses to sell alcohol; entertainment licenses; common victualer licenses; motor vehicle repair licenses; taxicab and livery licenses; and other licensed activities in the City. Candidates should have a background in law, business, or a related field.  Member requirements are defined to be in compliance with MGL c.138, s.4.

Government

City to Add Section to Community Path with Taking of Land, Memorialization Committee Could be Created

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Watertown City Hall

(CORRECTION: The easement payment was incorrectly listed at $374,000. It is $37,400)

Watertown’s Community Path will get a bit longer with the addition of a section that sits on private land right next to Main Street. The Council also heard about the committee proposed to decide how to name streets, buildings, and other places in someone’s memory. That section of the Community Path that runs from Waverley Avenue and Main Street has been constructed, City Manager George Proakis told the City Council on Tuesday night, but it has been closed off until the City could get the right for public use through an easement agreement with the property owner. “We are paying them, they are getting these easement rights, and we will get the path further along and connected to Main Street,” Proakis said.

Government

Planning Board Sends Recommends Zoning Amendments to City Council; Hearing Continues Nov. 14

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The zoning map recommended by the Planning Board on October 30, 2024. The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Zoning Hearing is set to continue on November 14, 2024, at 6 PM with the City Council in the City Council Chamber at 149 Main Street. You can access the agenda, and you can join this hybrid meeting online by using this zoom link. What is the City Council Discussing at the Hearing? The Planning Board unanimously voted to recommend a package of zoning amendments to the City Council on October 30, 2024.

Government

Residents Wanted to Serve on Watertown Board of Health

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The City seeks people with backgrounds in public health, medical or a related field to apply to serve on the Watertown Board of Health. See the announcement below. City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Board of Health. Interested applicants should complete and submit a Universal Application. The Board of Health fulfills its duties under MGL 111, 26-33 and other sections including enforcement of the state Sanitary and Environmental Codes, reporting diseases dangerous to the public health, and enforcement of other applicable state and local laws and regulations.

Government

See How Watertown Voted for President, Senate & on Ballot Questions in 2024

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Charlie Breitrose

Watertown voters came out to vote in large numbers, both on election day and during the early voting and mail-in period. Two-thirds of Watertown’s 26,418 voters cast their ballots in the 2024 State Election, according to the unofficial Watertown Election results sent out by the Watertown City Clerk’s Office. Nearly 60 percent of the 17,542 votes in the election were cast during the early voting period or sent in mail-in ballots, said City Clerk Noelle Gilligan. About 200 to 300 people voted each of the day during the 14 day early voting period. A total of 3,250 residents came to City Hall to vote during the early voting period, Gilligan said, while 7,203 mail-in ballots were sent in.