Council Vacancy

Council to Create Process to Appoint Person to Fill District D Vacancy

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Watertown Town Hall

A vacancy in the District D Council spot will be filled by someone appointed by the remaining members of the Town Council. The opening was created when West End Councilor Ken Woodland resigned in early April to take a job that would not allow him to serve on the Council. This week, the Council discussed options for how to fill, and whether or not to fill, the open seat until the November Town Election. Because the vacancy occurred during the second year of the two-year term, the Council can appoint a replacement with a vote of six of eight members. They could also vote to hold a special election (also requiring a six-vote majority), said Town Attorney Mark Reich from KP Law.

Angeline Kounelis

Long-Time Watertown Town Council Member Will Not Seek Re-Election in November

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District A Councilor Angeline Kounelis will not be seeking re-election in 2021. A fixture on the Watertown Town Council will be stepping down at the end of her eighth term. East End Town Councilor Angeline Kounelis announced Wednesday that she will not seek re-election for the District A seat. She was first elected in 2005. Kounelis sent out an email to her colleagues and to her constituents saying simply: “Just a note to advise: I will not be seeking re-election to the position that I currently hold as the District A, East End, Town Councilor.

Elections

LETTER: Town Councilor Announces Resignation to Take Position With State

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Ken Woodland, District D Town Councilor, announced he will be resigning to take a position with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. After 9+ years of service on the Town Council, this morning I submitted my resignation as Watertown’s District D Town Councilor, effective immediately. I have accepted a position with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that does not permit me to simultaneously hold an elected role in local government. It has been the honor of my life to serve on the Town Council. I’ve lived my entire life in Watertown and my decision to run for office and serve the Town was inspired by the close-knit community experiences that have defined my life here.

Elections

Watertown Group Celebrates Election of Biden & Harris, See the Photos

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Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice & the Environment celebrated the victory of Joe Biden in the 2020 Presidential Election on Saturday in Watertown Square. While the calling the 2020 Presidential election for Joe Biden drew large celebrations in cities around the country, members of a progressive Watertown group had a smaller-scale one in Watertown. One of the signs held up by at the celebration of Joe Biden’s election on Saturday in Watertown Square. Members of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment gathered on the Watertown Square Delta to cheer, hold signs and bang on pots and pans Saturday afternoon. People banged pots and pans and other noisemakers at the Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice & the Environment’s celebration in Watertown Square for the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

2020 Election

See How Watertown Voted for President, Senate and Ballot Questions

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Watertown voters came out in huge numbers for the 2020 Presidential Election, and heavily supported Joe Biden and other Democrats on the ballot. The voter turnout for the Nov. 3 election in Watertown was 76.09 percent, or 19,197 ballots cast. This was slightly higher than the 2016 election when 18,402 votes were cast, or 75.89, in an election which also featured the local ballot question on the Community Preservation Act. The Biden/Harris ticket got 14,885 votes locally (77.5 percent), while Donald Trump and Mike Pence received 3,795 votes (19.7 percent).

Ballot Questions

2020 VOTER GUIDE: New Polling Places; Contested Races & Ballot Questions

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The vote to decide the winner of the 2020 Presidential Election will be Nov. 3, but there are a number of other races in which Watertown residents can cast their vote, as well as up to four ballot questions. Also, three precincts will not be in their normal location. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Watertown. The Presidential race tops the ballot, but there are also races for U.S. Senate and Congress along with the ballot questions.

Elections

Watertown Ballot Drop Box to be Closed on Halloween

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The ballot drop off box outside Watertown’s Town Hall. Watertown’s ballot drop box will be closed on Saturday, Oct. 31, Town Clerk John Flynn said. The Town Clerk’s office sent out the following announcement:

Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin has asked that ballot drop boxes be secured on Saturday, October 31st to avoid any Halloween pranks. The Town of Watertown will lock its ballot drop box, located on Saltonstall park side of Town Hall, at 5:00 p.m. on Halloween and will reopen at 8 a.m. the following morning. 

The ballot drop box will then remain open until polls close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3rd.

Elections

Big Voter Turnout Already in Watertown From Mail-In Ballots, Early Voting

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The ballot drop off box outside Watertown’s Town Hall. Many Watertown voters have already cast their ballot in the 2020 Presidential Election, with the number of votes already received by the Town Clerk’s office nearly as high as the total cast in the September Preliminary Election. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 40 percent of Watertown’s registered voters had turned in their ballots, according to Town Manager Michael Driscoll, who got the latest numbers from Town Clerk John Flynn. The Town sent out 13,255 vote-by-mail and absentee ballots, many of which have already been returned, Driscoll said, plus early voting started on Oct. 17 and continues through Oct.