Elections

LETTER: Resident Concerned About Outside Political Groups Influencing Watertown’s Election

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Dear Editor,

I received in the mail today a card from Massachusetts Teachers Association Independent Expenditure PAC supporting a slate of Five Watertown Candidates vying for our two highest elected offices; the City Council and School Committee. A Super PAC being involved in a small, local community such ours should be a major concern. It is uncertain where this leads us in terms of the sphere of influence – local or state? The concern is who will have their ear. A common complaint is that the city is turning a deaf ear to local concerns. Whether this perception is real or not does not matter since perception is difficult to overcome. However, put any of the candidates in a favorable light.

Elections

LETTER: Resident Endorses Three Running for Watertown School Committee

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Dear Editor,

Now that the School Committee forums are over, I want to formally endorse. First, an endorsement for two familiar faces and then a new one. Current Member Jessica Middlebrook has a track record of collaborative leadership, focusing on student well-being and equitable access to resources, and actively supporting the expansion of pre-K. These have been informed by her background as a school mental health counselor. Her most recent achievement includes a successful and non-acrimonious labor negotiation.

Elections

View the School Committee Candidate Forum Video

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Monday night, the candidates for Watertown School Committee appeared at a live forum and answered questions about the future of the middle school, the school budget, vocational education, making students and family feel welcome in the Watertown Public Schools, and more. The candidate forum is the fourth hosted by WCA-TV and Watertown News. See how the candidates — David Stokes, Jessica Middlebrook, Joe Ganno, and Sheila Krisnan (Amy Donohue could not attend) — responded to the questions posed by host Maya Shwayder. Watch the video by clicking here: http://vodwcatv.org/internetchannel/show/4171?site=1

More Candidate Forums

On Oct. 6, the candidates running Councilor At-Large — Tom Tracy, Tony Palomba, Theo Offei, John Gannon, and Caroline Bays — appeared at the Middle School Auditorium.

Elections

Watertown Housing Group Hosting Candidate Discussion for City Council Hopefuls

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Charlie Breitrose

The following announcement was provided by Housing for All Watertown:

To inform voters on housing issues during the upcoming Municipal Election, Housing for All Watertown has collected detailed questionnaires from all eleven candidates running for City Council this November, including at-large and district council candidates, in both contested races and uncontested races. We’re grateful to the candidates for providing thoughtful responses to our questions about their vision for housing in Watertown, how they will support affordable housing and in-fill development, what they would do to streamline permitting for homeowners, and much more. We will also be holding a housing-focused At-Large Candidate forum on Oct. 26 from 2-3:30pm at the Watertown Free Public Library. We’re excited to hear the At-Large City Council Candidates expand on their views and look forward to a lively discussion.

Elections

Poll Workers Wanted for Watertown’s November Election

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The Watertown City Clerk’s office seeks poll workers for the upcoming Nov. 4, 2025 election. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Are you interested in being a Poll Worker? Poll workers perform election duties under the direction of the Warden/Clerk, including but not limited to assisting with preparing the voting location for opening; hanging signs in accordance with legal requirements; counting ballots; checking voters in and out; providing assistance to voters with disabilities, assisting in removing signage; packing up election materials; and helping check counts at the end of the day.

Elections

LETTER: Importance of Local Elections, Voter Registration Deadline is Oct. 24

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As first-time candidates running for Library Trustee, School Committee and City Council in Watertown’s 2025 November Election, we are often asked, “What does that role do?” It’s a fair question, and it gets to the heart of why local elections — and your vote, in particular — matter so much. Local government is where decisions are made that directly affect our daily lives: who leads our public library and schools, what priorities are funded by resources, how our public spaces are maintained, and what values guide city decisions. The work of each elected official, from councilor to school committee member, has a real and lasting impact on our neighborhoods. That’s why exercising your right to vote in local elections is so important. In reality, turnout rates for municipal elections tend to be low, especially among younger voters and newer residents.

Elections

LETTER: Library Trustee Candidate Introduces Herself

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Dear Editor, and Watertown neighbors,

I’m writing to introduce myself, Pia Owens, and ask for one of your three votes for Library Trustee in our upcoming election on Nov. 4th. As trustee, I will aim to keep our library vibrant, inclusive, and committed to intellectual freedom. I’ve lived in Watertown for 20+ years with my husband Steve and our two kids who attended Watertown Public Schools. I used to visit the East Branch library, and now we have a brick with our names on it in front of the library in Watertown Square.

Government

Three Watertown Football Players Honored for Helping to Catch a Drunken Driver

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(Screenshot from Boston 25 News)

Three sharp-eyed and quick thinking Watertown High School football players were honored for their effort that helped police locate and arrest a drunken driver. On Oct. 14, the City Council approved a proclamation honoring Riaz Khan, Joel Montoya, and Boran Akisik. On Sept. 25, the three were on their way home after practice witnessed a hit and run incident at the intersection of Palfrey and Pearl streets.