Around Town

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

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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.

Election 2021

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

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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

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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.

Elections

LETTER: Resident Endorses School Committee Candidate

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To the editor:

This election day I am casting my vote for Amy Donohue for School Committee.  

Amy’s credentials as a dedicated public servant and involved parent have been well-documented over the past several years. 

Her commitment to our Public Schools goes far beyond the interests of her own children, as she cares deeply about the quality of education for all students. She has advocated fairly and passionately for students, families, teachers, and administrators during her first term. I have had the good fortune to be friends with Amy for well over 10 years, we also served as co-presidents of the Watertown Education Foundation. Having spent many years fundraising for the school-wide Educational Grant Program either at the Spelling Bee or Trivia Night or Dancing with the Stars, I have seen first-hand the time, effort, and energy Amy has dedicated to our town. I have found her to be a caring, compassionate, intelligent person, willing to listen to all sides of an issue and fully considers all options before making important decisions.  

Her tireless involvement in the community, through The Ed Foundation, teaching in our public schools, and as a local business owner, to name just a few, shows that she is a person of service and integrity, who truly wants the best for Watertown. I know she will continue to serve the school committee with the same passion she exhibits in all of her endeavors.

Charter Changes

LETTER: Resident Backs Council, School Committee Candidates, Opposes Charter Changes

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To the Editor:

I’m writing today, urging the Common Sense mainstream Watertown voters to participate in the upcoming non-partisan municipal election on November 2, 2021. Watertown is at a tipping point. As I mentioned, our municipal elections are nonpartisan and for good reason. Councilors and School Committee members are elected, charged, and paid to administer purely local concerns. Yet, there are those who for 2 decades now, have tried to use their municipal office to promote partisan issues, often radical, rather than focusing on the daily nuts and bolts operations of the community.

Elections

LETTER: State Rep. Supports Candidate for School Committee

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Dear Watertown,

It is with great enthusiasm that I write today to endorse Jennifer Nicholson for Watertown School Committee. Watertown is fortunate to have a candidate for School Committee of her caliber and dedication. Jennifer’s commitment to our school community is undeniable. She is a graduate of Watertown Public Schools herself and now a parent of two children at the Cunniff School as well as PTO Co President at the school. Her educational background, which includes a business degree from Boston College and a Master’s in Education, will serve her well as she aims to bring fresh ideas and new energy to our school district leadership. 

Throughout her entire campaign, Jennifer has been insightful, enthusiastic and straight forward.  It is clear that she is passionate about education and invested in the future of our schools. Her vision for WPS is one in which all students are both supported and encouraged to reach their fullest potentials. She is ready to devote herself to serving our schools in this role and I am confident that she will be a reliable, collaborative and resourceful member of the Watertown School Committee. Please join me in voting for Jennifer (Holt) Nicholson on November 2. John LawnState Representative 10th Middlesex District

(NOTE: The deadline for submitting election letters is Thursday, Oct.

Around Town

LETTER: Resident Backs Candidates Who Will Bring “New Blood” to Council, School Committee

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It’s great to live in such an active and diverse town. I’m writing because over the past decade, there has been extreme apathy in the local voting process. Fewer and fewer people are going to the polls for local elections, and voter turnout percentages are at an all-time low – about 4%! It is truly disheartening that many major economic, development, financial, and transportation decisions are being made by town council members who only represent the views of a small fraction of the Watertown population. But, this year, we have seen a true swell of passion, interest, and concern over the voting process and the direction our town is taking. We’re seeing a strong influx of new candidates who will challenge elements of the status quo and provide voters like us with real options and choices. 

These candidates bring “new blood” and perspectives to the election process, and they will offer well-informed visions for the future of Watertown.

Elections

LETTER: School Committee Candidate Would Bring Expertise in Supporting Student Mental Health

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As a parent of two elementary school-aged children and a doctorate-level behavioral health policy researcher and consultant who works with state and local governments across the US, I am keenly aware of the toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on the mental health of children and youth. In the past 18 months this community has experienced unprecedented levels of trauma from isolation, job and housing insecurity, and the loss of loved ones. And those at the margins of society — people with disabilities, people with lower incomes, immigrant families, and communities of color — have experienced this trauma more intensely. As Watertown repairs, recoups, and reconnects, it is essential that we focus on the mental health of our young people. For this reason, I’m voting for Jessica Middlebrook for School Committee on November 2nd.