City Council

Watertown Councilors, School Committee & Library Trustees Sworn-In at City Hall

By |

Charlie BreitroseMembers of the Watertown City Council take the oath from City Clerk Janet Murphy on Monday night. Most years, the swearing-in of Watertown’s newly elected officials is part of an inauguration ceremony in a large venue with many guests, but with COVID-19 the 2022 event was an intimate affair. The winners of the November 2021 election were sworn in by City Clerk Janet Murphy in the Council Chamber in City Hall Monday night. Charlie BreitroseAfter her swearing-in, Library Trustee Sara Keary poses with City Manager Michael Driscoll, left, and City Council President Mark Sideris. Some family members were on hand for the ceremony, but the Chamber was not full even when eight City Councilors took the oath.

Election 2021

LETTER: Council Candidate’s Thank You Letter to Watertown Voters

By |

(This letter was written before election day but was submitted after thr deadline for election letters.)

Letter to the Editor, 

I wanted to express my sincere gratitude to the hundreds of residents of East Watertown for their kindness, opinions, suggestions and overall great Watertown spirit that they shared with me during the past six months. 

I enjoyed every day of this effort as you give me the encouragement to keep knocking on doors meeting the next voter. It’s been an honor to serve 16 years as a Member of the Library Board of Trustees and will be a greater honor to serve you and Watertown as a Member of the Town Council representing East Watertown. 

I wanted to say thank you to the voters of East Watertown, thank you to the many people who have provided support for this campaign and a special thanks to my lovely wife, Joyce for her support of my civic duty to our wonderful community, Watertown.  

Mike HanlonDistrict A Council Candidate

Around Town

See Precinct Results for 2021 Town Council, School Committee, Library Trustees Races and the Charter Questions

By |

Town of WatertownA map of Watertown’s Districts: Peach is A, Red is B, Lime Green is C, Green is D.

The results of the Watertown Election are in, and the winners have been announced, but if the election had followed certain precincts the results would have looked different. The Town Clerk’s office released the precinct-by-precinct counts from the Nov. 2, 2021, election. The turnout was bigger than recent Town Elections, with 24 percent of the 25,693 registered Watertown voters casting ballots, according to the Town Clerk’s office. In 2019, the turnout was 17.24 percent.

Around Town

LETTER: Watertown Resident Shares His Experience Voting in the Town Election

By |

The following letter was written on Nov. 2, 2021. Dear Friends,

Re: Voter Shock! Today is Watertown Election Day, and as a civic minded individual, resident in the City known as the Town of Watertown, I did not linger in bed until my usual hour of 7:30 a.m., but rose to prepare to exercise my duty. I voted and believe that I have recovered sufficiently from my shock, that I may now share with you my experience. Things you should know:

·         Watertown once included the towns of Weston, Waltham and large portions of Lincoln, Belmont, and Cambridge.

Election 2021

Incumbents Re-elected in Town Council & School Committee Races, Charter Changes Approved

By |

Charlie Breitrose

Incumbents fared well in the race for Town Council Tuesday night with three winning re-election as Councilors At-Large Race, and the one facing a candidate for District Councilor coming out on top. The two incumbents running for the School Committee will also return for another term. The results came out of the Town Clerk’s Office at about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. The vote is not official until all the absentee and overseas votes are counted, which could take a week or longer. Incumbents Tony Palomba received the most votes for Councilors At-Large with 3,251.

Charter Changes

2021 Watertown Election Guide, See What’s on the Ballot, Where to Vote

By |

Tuesday is election day in Watertown, and Town voters will be selecting candidates for three Town boards, as well as voting on changes to the Town Charter. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (see polling locations below). Town Council, School Committee & Library Trustee Races

The 2021 election has 25 candidates running, with several contested races. Only two are uncontested — Town Council President and District C Town Councilor. Seven people are running for four Councilor At-Large spots.

Charter Changes

See What’s in the Proposed Charter Changes on the Watertown Ballot

By |

Charlie BreitroseA mailing went out to Watertown voters with the details of the proposed changes to the Town Charter. On Tuesday, Nov. 2, Watertown voters will not only vote on the Town Council, School Committee and Library Trustees, but also the proposed changes to the Town Charter. The Town Charter defines how Watertown’s government operates. Watertown first adopted the Town Charter in 1980 when it moved from a town government with a Town Meeting, to a city-style government with a Town Council and a Town Manager.

Around Town

Candidate Q&A: School Committee

By |

Charlie BreitroseThe public gathered outside the new Cunniff Elementary School before open house on Tuesday. Three spots on the Watertown School Committee are up for grabs, and half a dozen candidates have put their name forward. The School Committee has four-year terms, and two incumbents seek another term. Longtime School Committee member, and current chair, John Portz announced in June that he would not be running for re-election in 2021. Amy Donohue and Lily Rayman-Read seek re-election, and four challengers are running for spots on the Committee: Jessica Middlebrook, Jennifer Nicholson, Colleeen Mahoney Farherty and Rachel Kay.