Letters

LETTER: Former Recreation Director Recommends Changes to Victory Field Phase 2 Plan

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(The following letter was send to the City Council before its meeting on June 24, 2025)

Watertown Leadership,

I hope each of you are well and finding a cool space today. I am expecting the Victory funding to be supported tonight and are hopeful that all the alternates are approved. It is obvious to some of us and will be for the rest of you when Phase II is completed that the Phase II AD HOC plan is lacking in key amenities and / or ignored the core needs of this section of the Victory Field Complex which were clearly identified in the 2014 plan. Not including additional parking (32 spots), including busses, a larger circle for better circulation, a plan to solve the Title IX issue of the field house, ADA violation of the elevator and press box accessibility. Wi-Fi, cameras, phone coverage extenders, appropriately size and located storage units and an artificial turf field is a monumental failure and those responsible for their choice have not acted in the best interest of our residents.

Letters

LETTER: Watertown Should be Proactive, Ban Pet Shops from Selling Commercially Bred Animals

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Currently, Watertown does not have pet shops open for business. However, the large number of new commercial buildings, many with retail space, might be a viable option for a pet shop chain. We are encouraging the city to be proactive and be certain a shop that sells animals cannot open in Watertown. Recently, the City Council asked the Administration to propose policy guidance or an ordinance on limiting pet shop operations. Animal shelters in Massachusetts and nationally are at capacity with dogs, cats, kittens, puppies, rabbits, guinea pigs and other unwanted pets.

Letters

LETTER to City Manager About North Branch Library

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An Open Letter to George Proakis

Dear George,

It is the beginnings of some very lean financial times for Watertown, and one would hope that the City’s selected capital projects would be carefully chosen to reflect these times. In your proposed (now approved) FY26 budget, you listed one and a half million dollars to renovate the North Branch Library. No purpose for the building had been stated. Apparently, that would be determined later, cart before the horse style. In the course of the discussions about the North Branch Library, you noted that you had had an engineering study done to see the feasibility of spending money to do these repairs, and that the study had been quite favorable.

Letters

OP-ED: Impacts of Cuts to Federal Funding of Science Research

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By Kristen DeAngelisProfessor of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst & Watertown High School Class of 1993

I joined the Watertown High School Biology Club for the same reason everyone else did: the week-long scuba diving field trip to Bonaire. Never mind that I couldn’t clear my ears at the bottom of the pool, failing my initial scuba test. I went anyway, with my snorkeling gear. We spent hours identifying fish in their coral reef habitats and swimming at pristine beaches. But I also got to see a scientist, my high school biology teacher, Mr. Buckley, in action: collecting specimens, leading discussions on how reef systems work, and giving research presentations to the locals in exchange for our club to get a sunset ride on their catamaran. 

Today, as a research scientist and professor at UMass Amherst, I have a renewed appreciation for programs like our Biology Club and how critical they are to young people’s futures.

Letters

LETTER: Group to City Council: Voters Want Action on Housing Affordability

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Dear City Councilors,

We write to share compelling evidence that voters in our community — and across the state — are ready for bold action to make housing more affordable. Recent polling reveals that clear majorities of voters support the action needed to build more homes that people can afford, even when that choice is put up directly against protecting neighborhood character from change. In fact, when asked to choose, 71% of voters prioritized building affordable homes over preserving traditional neighborhood character. 

The community acceptance of necessary change is widespread. Housing has emerged as voters’ top concern, ranking above cost of living, immigration, or taxes. And remarkably, this pro-housing sentiment crosses all demographic lines, spanning age, race, income, education, and homeownership status. These results come as Watertown considers new plans and priorities that can make a meaningful difference in housing affordability in the coming months.

Letters

OP-ED: Using Our Noggins — AI and Meme Coin

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Dear Editor,

Several weeks ago, a Microsoft update included an Artificial Intelligence (AI) software called CoPilot. In teletype fashion, Copilot depicted itself as being my personal AI Assistant. My first thought was a virus had taken over my laptop. I am familiar with help from Geek Squad where, depending on the service required, you must approve access to your computer. I may have overlooked a message; however, I did not recall seeing a prior message regarding implementation of Copilot. The Chat between Copilot (AI) is very similar to the exchange in purchasing an item online. My first communication or formal interaction was typing a question asking what is Copilot.

Letters

LETTER: Watertown Library Trustee Will Not Seek Re-election

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Barbara Biacnone (Sara’s mother), Library Trustee Sara Keary, and Tim Whelan (Sara’s step-father); This photo was taken in early September 2022 days after Sara’s mother and step-father moved from Pennsylvania to Watertown. Sara had accompanied them to get their library cards from WFPL. (Photo by Carey Conkey-Finn)

To the Watertown Free Public Library Board of Trustees, Library Staff, and Community Members,

After much reflection, I’ve decided not to seek re-election to the Watertown Free Public Library Board of Trustees. The past four years have been challenging and transformative-both personally and in my role as a trustee. Early in my term, the board faced a difficult leadership transition following the retirement of our long-time director.

Letters

LETTER: Chamber Supports Increasing City Council Compensation

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Dear President Sideris,

The Charles River Regional Chamber supports the Blue Ribbon Commission’s proposal to increase City Councilor and Council President compensation. Public service is demanding, often thankless work. If we want to continue attracting talented, diverse, and committed civic leaders, especially those who may not be independently wealthy or retired, we must offer compensation that at least begins to reflect the time, energy, and responsibility these positions require. Most importantly, improved compensation reflects the value of public service and strengthens our democracy by broadening the pool of individuals who can realistically serve. The commission’s recommendation is the result of a thorough data-driven examination of peer communities, taking into account the city’s budget and core responsibilities.