Greetings Councilors:
Am I missing something? On June 3, 2026, a letter appeared in Watertown News; purportedly signed by eight Watertown City Councilors advocating in support of Medicare for All.
Where was the open public process? I do not recall seeing a City Council Agenda Item that would have allowed for discussion on the topic. Who did the research? Where was the transparency in a Q & A format?
The caption, and link to the Watertown News article, are as follows:
LETTER: Medicare for All Letter Signed by 8 Watertown City Councilors | Watertown News https://share.google/nPiUUBEyr3foqhexP
Municipalities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are governed by the Open Meeting Law. Guidelines are as follows: https://share.google/zuNGXmsLVuhJfuFMR
Certainly, I do not relish the idea of reprimands. But …, in my opinion: before we jump to any conclusions; the electorate should be promptly advised, by the Council, how the unbeknownst process and document came to fruition. Thank you.
Best,
Angie
Angeline Maria B. Kounelis
Retired Watertown District A, East End, City Councilor
Thanks for your letter Angie. I too was quite puzzled by the letter eight City Councilors signed regarding Medicare for All. No author is listed. Had I missed a Council discussion? When and where was information disseminated to our community? Had I also missed public commentary and a vote on this action?
I’m not against the concept/program. I just don’t know enough about the details of this program to have an opinion at this time. I am concerned about the process. When was this discussed at a Council meeting?
Who corralled the Council support? Everyone has the right to support a program as an individual but when you sign on to support a potential program as a Councilor, it’s a totally different ballgame. You are representing your constituents, your community. Don’t we have the right to be informed and included in the discussion? Did open meeting law procedures fly out the window?
So my Councilors, please step up and shed light on this failure to communicate – pronto.
Thank you,
Elodia Thomas, Resident
We Are All Watertown
From what I read, it was an act of support for the idea of universal healthcare.
Not a vote so not sure if it falls under some open meeting laws.
Letter;
We Watertown City Councilors endorse and support An Act Establishing Medicare for All in Massachusetts, Bills H. 1405 and S.860, currently before the legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, establishing the Massachusetts Health Care Trust, and also the Medicare for All legislation before the United States Congress, and ask our elected leaders to urge the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing to vote the bills “ought to pass”, and to work proactively to create a single payer system of universal health care that provides all Massachusetts residents with comprehensive health care coverage, including the freedom to choose doctors and other health care professionals, facilities, and services, and eliminates the role of insurance companies in health care by creating the publicly administered Massachusetts Health Care Trust.
Mark S. Sideris, Watertown City Council President
Caroline Bays, Councilor-at-Large
John G. Gannon, Councilor-at-Large
Theophilus (Theo) Offei, Councilor-at-Large
Anthony Palomba, Councilor-at-Large
Nicole Gardner, District A Councilor
Lisa J. Feltner, District B Councilor
Vincent J. Piccirilli, District C Councilor