Government

Residents Wanted to Serve on Multiple City Boards & Commissions

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Council on Aging, Watertown Cultural Council, Solid Waste and Recycling Advisory Committee, and Traffic Commission. Council on Aging

The Council on Aging identifies, coordinates, and helps carry out programs to meet the needs and interests of Watertown residents age 60+. The Council conducts outreach; Identifies needs, interests, concerns, and strengths of residents age 60+; educates the broader community about these needs; formulates policies; and promotes and implements services and programs, working with professional staff and volunteers who provide a variety of social, health, educational, recreational, advocacy, and support programs.

Watertown Cultural Council

The Watertown Cultural Council (WCC) promotes excellence, access, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences. WCC is funded in large part by the Mass Cultural Council (MCC) and each year distributes this funding to organizations, schools, and individuals to provide initiatives in these areas. Duties of council members include review and discussion of grant applications once a year, administration of funds, record and bookkeeping, and on-going communication with the MCC.

Development

City Starting Detailed Designs for Watertown Square Intersection, Revitalization of Commercial Area

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The future of Watertown Square will be designed in 2026 with plans for major changes to the intersection as well as the commercial district in and around the Square. (Photo by City of Watertown)

More than a year after the zoning for Watertown Square was approved, City officials are preparing to begin the creation of two detailed plans to revitalize the Watertown Square commercial area, and to redesign the intersection. The project includes changes gto the roadway and intersection, as well as building on the parking lots in the Square. Discussions about the future of Watertown’s major intersection began in November 2023 with the multi-day design charrette, and continued through 2024 with the approval of the new zoning in July 2024, known as the Watertown Square Area Plan (click here to see the approved plan). During 2025, the work has been internal within the City’s Department of Community Development and Planning, in conjuction with consultants, to come up with a Revitalization Plan and designs for the new intersection in the Square, according to the City’s announcement about the implementation of the Watertown Square Area Plan.

Around Town

In 2nd Year, Civics Academy Will Teach Residents Even More About How Watertown’s Government Works

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Watertown’s first Civics Academy drew such good reviews that in its second year it will be even longer so that participants can learn even more about how local government works and city departments function. In 2026, the City of Watertown’s Civics Academy will be seven weeks, said Tyler Cote, the City’s Community Engagement Specialist and one of the Civics Academy organizers. “Last year, we did six (weeks) and, to be honest, we ran over just about every single week on time,” Cote said. “Part of that was there’s so much to cover. Our students asked so many questions last year that we wanted to maybe give more space and time for questions, and then also allow more time for activities.”

Entertainment

Hear from the Owner of a Local Coffee Company, Learn About Local Government & the Arts Community

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The Little Local Conversation podcast gets in depth with a variety of people in Watertown, and recent episodes have focused on a woman who imports coffee from her home country, one of the people behind the City of Watertown’s 311 Service Center, and a founding member of a Watertown-based theatre company. Little Local Conversations is hosted by Matt Hanna. Along with his profiles, he also does periodic updates about Watertown’s local government and the arts scene. Hanna provided the following details about recent episodes. Benita Chelagat (Coffee Plus 254)

Meet Benita Chelagat!

Government

City Manager Clarifies Watertown’s Role in Immigration Enforcement

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Questions about immigration enforcement in Watertown are something that City Manager George Proakis has heard a lot recently, and he provided some information about the role of the Watertown Police and what they can and cannot do when federal agents are operating in town. Proakis went into detail about several topics related to federal immigration enforcement and how the local law enforcement can interact, or not, during the Feb. 10 City Council meeting. “I’ve received some questions recently about the relationship between local government and federal immigration enforcement. As we’ve seen federal officers more actively seeking and arresting people in the surges that they’ve done many communities, I’ve been asked what this means for Watertown,” Proakis said.

Government

See Why the City Council Narrowly Rejected a Nuclear Disarmament Resolution

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Tuesday night, a citizens group presented the City Council with a petition to support a resolution encouraging the federal government to seek nuclear disarmament in the United States and the other eight nations that have nuclear weapons. The proposal split the Council, which rejected it down by one vote. The resolution was signed by 500 residents, of whom about a dozen spoke in support for a variety of reasons, while a few residents spoke against mostly saying they did not think the issue was something that a local government could impact. The debate amongst the Councilors did not revolve around the content of the resolution, but rather about whether it was appropriate for the City Council to be taking up on their agenda. Originally, the resolution was proposed by a City Councilor, but City Council President Mark Sideris said he did not think it was appropriate discussion because it was not specifically City related, and the Council has many other issues to deal with.

Elections

State Sen. Will Brownsberger Endorsed by City Councilors Past and Present

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Will Brownsberger

State Sen. Will Brownsberger has been endorsed by current and former Watertown City Councilors in his 2026 run for reelection to serve the Suffolk and Middlesex District. He has been senator since Jan. 24, 2012. See more information in the announcement from Brownsberger, below. I am grateful to accept the endorsements of all nine sitting members of the Watertown City Council and two former members. City Council President Mark Sideris

City Councilor at Large Caroline Bays

City Councilor at Large John Gannon

City Councilor at Large Theo Offei

City Councilor at Large Tony Palomba

District A City Councilor Nicole Gardner

District B City Councilor Lisa Feltner

District C City Councilor Vinnie Piccirilli

District D City Councilor Emily Izzo

Former City Councilor John Airasian

Former City Councilor Cecilia Lenk

Statements by Councilors

 I’m proud to support Senator Brownsberger for all that he’s delivered for the Commonwealth and in particular the issues that directly affect the city of Watertown.

Government

Council Roundup: Councilor Elected Head of Statewide Board, DPW Equipment Funded, Contracts Approved

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Watertown District B Councilor Lisa Feltner was elected president of the Mass. Municipal Councillors’ Association.(Photo by Krista Photography | Krista Guenin)

The City Council had a full agenda on Jan. 27, with votes to approve equipment purchases by the Department of Public Works, approval of contracts for multiple City unions, and a Watertown City Councilor was elected head of a statewide board. Also, the date for the Skip the Stuff Ordinance to be considered was announced. At the meeting, City Manager George Proakis announced that the City will be cancelling its contract with Flock Safety for license plate reading cameras.