The City seeks residents to serve on the Memorialization Committee, a new board that will create a process for naming public places such as parks, streets, squares, and municipal buildings, and making recommendations to the Council about how “Watertown honors its people and stories.” See the announcement from the City of Watertown below.
Are you interested in Watertown’s rich history? Would you like to play a role in how our public places are named and remembered? The City of Watertown and City Manager George J. Proakis are seeking Watertown residents to serve on the newly formed Memorialization Committee.
The Memorialization Committee was established to create a clear, consistent, and transparent process for the naming of public places, such as parks, playgrounds, streets, squares, and City buildings. From naming a newly formed pocket park to dedicating a tree or memorial bench in someone’s honor, this Committee will make recommendations to our City Council on how Watertown honors its people and stories.
While the Committee does not have jurisdiction over veteran memorials, the Watertown Free Public Library building, or Watertown Public Schools properties, it will cover all other public spaces under the City Manager’s jurisdiction. This is a great opportunity to ensure the City is memorializing Watertown’s values, history, and diversity, first by establishing clear and transparent policies and procedures for how the process will work in Watertown, during which the Committee is expected to meet regularly. Once developed, the Committee will meet on an as needed basis as referrals are made by the City Council and City Manager.
The City Manager is seeking three residents with experience in Watertown’s diversity and history to sit on the Committee alongside the City Manager or their designee and a representative of the City Council. The newly appointed resident members will serve staggered terms, with one initially serving a one-year term and the remaining two each serving a two-year term.
Applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or a summary of relevant experience by Monday, September 15, 2025 by email to citymgr@watertown-ma.gov, or by mail or hand delivery to the City Manager’s Office, 149 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472. Select applicants will interview with the Residents’ Advisory Committee and the City Manager’s Office prior to appointment and then interview with the City Council prior to confirmation.
This is a great opportunity to help shape how Watertown’s history is told and remembered. Apply today to be part of telling that story.