Elections

Hear from the Candidates in Watertown’s Election at Upcoming Forums

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As the Nov. 4 Watertown Municipal Election approaches, Watertown News and Watertown Cable Access TV will host a series of candidate forums for the local races, including the City Council and School Committee. The forums will be broadcast live, and two will be held in person, and all will be broadcast on WCA-TV’s Public Channel (Comcast Ch. 9, RCN Ch. 3, and online at http://vodwcatv.org/internetchannel/watch-now?site=1)

The first forum, held Sept.

Elections

LETTER from Candidate for Councilor At Large Tom Tracy

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Hello Watertown Residents,

My name is Tom Tracy and I am running for City Councilor at Large. I was born and raised in this wonderful community. For those of you who don’t know me, I proudly served Watertown as the Town/City Auditor for over 29 years. For the last seven years of my career, I was also the Assistant City Manager for Finance and then Acting City Manager following the retirement of Michael Driscoll until the hiring of George Proakis. I believe that I bring a unique experience to the job of being a City Councilor.

Elections

Voting Locations Changing for Many Watertown Residents in 2025

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Several polling places in Watertown will be moving to a new location for the 2025 Watertown Election. City Councilors had concerns about how voters will know where to go to vote. Voters in precincts 2, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12 will be casting their ballots at a new location during the Nov. 4, 2025 election. See the chart below for addresses.

Elections

City Councilor At-Large Candidates to Debate at Chamber’s Virtual Forum

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Candidates for Watertown City Councilor At-Large. The following information was provided by the Charles River Regional Chamber:

Join us for a virtual forum with candidates for Watertown City Councilor At-Large ahead of the Nov. 4 municipal election. The focus for each forum will be on issues related to economic development, housing, workforce, supporting our non-profits, and the environment; however, general topics may also be discussed. Questions from the business community in advance are welcome.

Government

Council Gives City Manager High Marks in Review, Also Some Suggestions

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Watertown City Manager George Proakis. City Manager George Proakis received a high rating from the City Council in his annual review for Fiscal Year 2025, though members of the Council had some constructive criticism, too. The results of the annual review were presented during the Sept. 9 City Council meeting. Each councilor rated Proakis on a scale of 1 to 5, with five being highest, said City Council President Mark Sideris.

Elections

LETTER: Meet Council-At-Large Candidate Theo Offei

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Theo Offei

I feel lucky to live in Watertown. Five years ago, my wife and I moved our family here, to her childhood home, looking for connection, community, and a place to put down roots. We found all of that in abundance. From the start, I felt welcomed into this diverse, close-knit, and deeply engaged city. I’m running for Councilor At-Large to build on Watertown’s positive trajectory and add a fresh, underrepresented perspective to its leadership.

Schools

Full Middle School Renovation is Off the Table, City Could Turn Focus to a New Senior Center

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Watertown Middle School (Courtesy of Watertown Public Schools)

Watertown cannot afford to totally renovate or rebuild Watertown Middle School, City Manager George Proakis told the City Council this week. At the Sept. 9 Council meeting, Proakis outlined the results of the feasibility study of renovating/rebuilding the middle school. The City budgeted $84.7 million for the middle school project, but the cost estimates for a project that would create a modern school that could accommodate 630 students came in well over $100 million. “I wanted to come here and share with you tonight that after spending a significant time and looking at this from every imaginable perspective, building a $112 million Middle School is not something I feel comfortable recommending that the Council do,” Proakis said.

Elections

Chamber Hosting Virtual Debate for District C City Council Candidates

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Candidates for the City Council District C seat will appear in a debate hosted by the Charles River Regional Chamber on Monday, September 22, 2025 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. via Zoom. The Chamber provided the following information:

Join us for the virtual debate between the candidates, Vincent Piccirilli and Andres Guzman, competing in Watertown’s November 4th citywide election for the open District C seat. Our focus will be on issues related to economic development, housing, workforce, supporting our nonprofits, and the environment, but more general topics may be discussed as well. Questions from the business community in advance are welcome. This event will be recorded and shared later.