Elections

Watertown Election 2019: Find Out About the Candidates, Where to Vote

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Watertown voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, and there is one big race on which they need to decide for whom they will cast their votes. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The only contested race in the 2019 Watertown Town Election is for Councilor At-Large. There are plenty of choices, however. Voters can vote for up to four people. There are three incumbents and four challengers on the ballot, so at least one new person will take office in January 2020.

Elections

LETTER: Council Candidates Respond to Concerned Watertown Homeowner’s Questions

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Watertown’s Town Hall. Dear Editor,

Like last election, the Concerned Watertown Homeowners Association asked the At Large candidates a series of YES/NO policy questions that will effect our community. Their answers below. As always we thank them for their time and candor, and hope this helps voters make informed decisions on voting day. We did not receive answers from candidates Michelle Cokonougher and Clyde Younger

John LabadiniPresidentConcerned Watertown Homeowners Association.

Elections

LETTER: Former Councilor Announces His Endorsements for 2019 Election

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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I’m writing this little note just to share my thoughts on the Town Councilor At-Large race in Watertown. As some may know, the candidates have been under some good scrutiny with respect to policy questions in the forums, questionnaires and interviews in our local media and I think we all appreciate that. I also want to say that I appreciate each and every one of the candidates running for office here in town regardless of whether or not I may disagree with some of their priorities.  Thank you all for stepping up to do good for our city and for being willing to volunteer your precious time in the most noble endeavor of representing your constituency. That being said, I wanted to briefly share where I stand on the candidates in case anyone is still reading.  

Anthony Donato, a native son of our town and childhood friend to many of us may have once been thought to stand alone on those credentials but I think that his work in the last two years leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind that he offers so much more than that. He stands in the company of very few councilors in his dedication to researching and listening to differing points of view on the issues that come before the council and I think that speaks volumes. He has expressed his willingness to push on the town-wide shuttle bus system that is a languishing initiative in need of champions and has been an impartial vote on several not-so-sexy but nevertheless important ordinance updates and improvements in his first term. Tony Palomba, is as compassionate, caring and loving a person as I’ve ever met.  He works every day in the support of his community and anyone who reaches out to him gets called back and heard.

Elections

See Candidate Profiles for the Town Councilor-At Large Hopefuls

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The big race in Watertown’s 2019 Town Election is the Town Councilor At-Large, in which seven people seek to fill the four seats. And with only three incumbents running, the Council will have at least one new face. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, incumbents Tony Palomba, Anthony Donato and Caroline Bays seek another term on the Council, while challengers Jimmy Mello, John Gannon, Clyde Younger and Michelle Cokonougher hope to win a seat. The open seat came about when Michael Dattoli and his family moved out of Watertown in 2018.

Elections

LETTER: Library Trustee Candidate Shares His Vision

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Watertown Free Public Library

Dear Watertown Residents,

My name is Theodore (Teddy) Kokoros and I am running in the November 5th election to become a Watertown Free Public Library Trustee. Even though I am running unopposed, (there are 3 candidates for 3 open Watertown Library Trustee positions) I wanted to share with you 10 of my priorities if I become a Watertown Library Trustee because you deserve information on every candidate on the ballot so you can make an informed decision on election day. 1. Help the Watertown Library survey as many Watertown residents as possible to get feedback from the Watertown community about what the library does well, what it could do better, and big ideas for The Watertown Library’s future. 2.

Election 2019

Town Council At-Large Profile: Anthony Donato

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Background

I am a first term At-Large Town Councilor.  I serve as Chair of the Rules & Ordinances Committee, the Vice-Chair of the Education and School Systems Committee and Secretary of the State, Federal and Regional Government Committee. I am also a member of the Rotary Club of Watertown, a director of the Watertown Boys and Girls Club and a Trustee of the Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship. Website: https://www.facebook.com/AnthonyJDonatoForWatertown/

Candidate Statement

I think it’s an exciting time to live in Watertown and I hope to continue to play a role in the future of our Town. I believe that I have proven to be an extremely hardworking Councilor and I have been well prepared for all meetings.  I am smart enough to know that I do not know everything and I have not been embarrassed to ask questions or to ask for help when confronted with an unfamiliar or confusing topic. I am incredibly proud of all that the Town Council has achieved these past two years.  I am especially proud of all the work that has been accomplished at the committee level where I believe I have proven myself to be open to all ideas and suggestions and that I am willing to work with anyone and everyone for the betterment of Watertown.

Election 2019

Town Council At-Large Profile: Jimmy Mello

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Candidate Statement

I’m a lifelong resident of Watertown and was educated in the Watertown Public Schools. And now I’m a candidate who is hoping to serve as one of your four Town Councilors At Large. I want to be the voice of the residents. It has been a lifelong desire of mine to become a Watertown Town Councilor. After having served as a Town Meeting Member and on the Watertown Planning Board, my passion for public service played out as the “man behind the scenes” during years of election seasons.

Election 2019

Town Council At-Large Profile: Clyde Younger

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Background

Watertown Town Council and School Committee Member11/97-2004 and 1/2007-12/2009As Watertown Town Council President and School Committee Member I led the Council in approving the additions and renovations of the Watertown Free Public Library.  Recognizing the need for improvements in our library system and following deliberations of the Council that they would only approve the renovations if there was an initial infusion of monies from the public I forged a public-private partnership with Watertown Savings Bank.  I joined Ms Lucia Mastrangelo in asking Mr. Ronald D. Dean, President and CEO of the Watertown Savings Bank whether they might make a contribution toward the library improvements.  Mr. Dean and the Bank’s Trustees granted the monies requested resulting in the final vote of approval by the Council. On the suggestion of a fellow colleague in the Watertown Rotary Club and Town Meeting Member, Mr. Russell Morgan, as Town Council President, I recommended for consideration the establishment of the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Subcommittee.  The Town Council saw the value of seeing the process of fiscal oversight being more formally established and ratified the subcommittee. The 2000 Watertown Town Charter proved to be instrumental in making a significant change in the annual fiscal deliberations conducted by the Council.  Ms Ann Hyland, Esq. the Town Attorney pointed out that MGL allowed the Council to raise the amount allocated to the School Department above the recommendation of the Town Manager as long as an offset is identified and the overall budget does not exceed Proposition 2 ½. Watertown School Committee5/1974-12/1980 and 11/1991-12/1993Watertown School Committee, Chairman, Watertown School Committee, January 1, 1992 to December 31, 1993.