Two Watertown elected officials served their final meetings in December, and each was bid farewell by their colleagues. City Councilor At-Large John Airasian departs the Council after two terms (four years), and Lily Rayman-Read finished two-four year terms on the School Commmittee.
John Airasian
The City Council bid Airasian farewell at its Dec. 9 meeting with a proclamation in honor of his years of service to the community. City Council President Mark Sideris read the proclamation:
Whereas, John M. Airasian has served the City, served as a City Councilor with distinction and pride, demonstrating his commitment and dedication to the citizenry of the City of Watertown, and;
Whereas John M. Airasian was elected by the people of the City of Watertown to serve as one of four at-large councilors serving multiple terms for which he has discharged his duty faithfully, fairly and honorably, and;
Whereas Councilor Airsian has served as a vital link between local government and the community it seeks to serve, and;
Whereas Councilor Airasian served on various subcommittees, including the Committee on Climate and Energy, Committee on Rules and Ordinances, Committee on Education and School System Matters, and the Chair of the Committee on Public Safety, and;
Whereas Councilor Airasian has served in many other leadership roles throughout the community, including President of the Watertown Rotary Club, where he was a recipient of the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award for humanitarian and outstanding community service, also chair of the Watertown Cable Access Board of Directors and an athletic volunteer for youth sports, and;
Whereas Councilor Airasian has carried the torch lit by his late father, John S. Airasian in fields of Community Enrichment, ensuring that the name Airasian remains synonymous with the standard of Watertown Integrity.
How therefore be it proclaimed that the City Council, acting on behalf of the people of Watertown, does hereby extend its deepest appreciation to John. It takes great pride in honoring him. We thank him for his years of service and look forward to his continued interest and commitment in community affairs and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
In witness whereof I have here unto set our hand and caused the Great Seal of the City of Watertown to be affixed on this ninth day of December, 2025.
Afterward, Airasian thanked his colleagues for always being quick and willing to help when he had a question. He also thanked City Council Clerk Brendan McCarthy and Municipal Policy Analyst Doug Newton for all their work.
He gave special thanks to his wife, Jackie.
“My gosh, she sacrificed a lot over the years and burned the tires to thread bear driving the kids around while I was at meetings and whatnot,” Airasian said.
He quoted Council Vice President Vincent Piccirilli who often says Watertown’s Manager-Council form of government works well.
“This is the way government should work. You know, we work together. We don’t always agree on things, but, we don’t kick and scream. We keep moving forward for the betterment of Watertown and the residents of Watertown to have great leadership,” Airasian said. “And I’m just so proud to have been a part of that the last four years. So, I just want to encourage you to keep doing what you’re doing.”
He addd. “It’s been an absolute honor for me, and probably, looking back, would be one of the proudest achievements of my my life is being elected. So I really appreciate working with each and every one of you. And obviously to the citizens of Watertown, you’re in good hands. And you know, keep showing up to the meetings, keep emailing, keep calling, because we listen and. I just really appreciate all of you.”
Lily Rayman-Read
During the Dec. 8 School Committee meeting, colleagues on the board, as well as teachers and others thanked Rayman-Read for her service as a School Committee member.
School Committee member Lisa Capoccia thanked Rayman-Read for speaking out for what she believed in.
“COVID was a huge, huge period where you really stood out to me as someone who made hard decisions, made hard statements that didn’t go with what everyone else was necessarily saying or thinking,” Capoccia said. “And that was very reassuring to me as a parent, as a community member, and just that meant so much to me and many, many families.”
Barbara Barry, a teacher at Cunniff School, thanked Rayman-Read for supporting the staff and students, especially during the Pandemic when teachers were concerned about the safety of returning to in-person classes.
“I want to thank you so much for always having our backs as teachers, but more importantly, everything you always did, you made sure that the kids were at the center of it, and that was always your bottom line, what’s best for kids,” Barry said.
Janelle Lacy, president of the Watertown Educators Association, also thanked Rayman-Read.
“Lily has shown time and time again that standing up for educators is not just a talking point. It’s a priority, whether advocating for resources, listening to concerns, or working behind the scenes to strengthen policies that lift up our classrooms,” Lacy said. “Lily leads with empathy, integrity and a genuine belief in the value of education.”
Watertown High School Teacher said that Rayman-Read had a rare talent when working with people.
“It’s easy to agree with people. It’s easy to disagree with people, but it’s hard to disagree productively. And I can’t recall a non-productive disagreement that didn’t foster better education for our students in Watertown,” Rose said. “You have a knack for getting around these problems and really putting students first, and regardless of who’s in the way.”
Superintendent Dede Galdston said that her time in Watertown nearly matches up with Rayman-Read joining the School Committee.
“You started at five months after me, so I think that we kind of grew up together in the role of School Community members will pay compliments. You don’t have to say things to appreciate people, and I think that that’s hopefully you always felt that,” Galdston said. “And the one word that you know, some people might think this is a people will know that one of my most favorite words is relentless, and I think that relentless has a very positive spin, because it means that when you believe in something, you’re going to get it done.”
City Council President Mark Sideris, who also sits on the School Committee, said Rayman-Read left her mark on the Watertown Schools.
“I think the community is going to miss your efforts here, as was noted by many members that spoke tonight,” Sideris said. “And as someone that sits on the City Council and sits here, your your work has been exemplary for the community, and I think that’s that stands out, and that’s a legacy that you should be proud of.”