Government

Get a Look at the Inner Workings of City Government at the New Watertown Civics Academy

By |

Watertown residents can get an in depth look into how the City’s government works, and even get a chance to see how they would deal with some real-world situations during a new program offered by the City. The City of Watertown recently announced the first Watertown Civics Academy, and residents can apply now through March 21. “Civics Academy is a 6-week program, meeting on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. from May 8 to June 12, 2025. Each session will cover a different theme and topic within Watertown’s government, from the City Council, to our Public Works Department, to the way the City approaches Climate resiliency, and much more – all directly from the Watertown City Staff!,” the City’s announcement said. The idea for the Civics Academy came from Watertown City Manager George Proakis, according to Tyler Cote, the City’s Community Engagement Specialist, who is helping to plan the sessions.

Government

City Council Update: Police Removed from Civil Service, Memorialization Committee Approved, Arshile Gorky Honored

By |

The City Council took a number of actions at the Feb. 25 meeting, including purchasing the former Sterritt Lumber site, removing the Watertown Police supervisors from Civil Service, honoring an Armenian artist and immigrant, and approving a Memorialization Committee. See more details in the City Council Newsletter provided by the City of Watertown. City Council Newsletter 

Please see below for the city council’s newsletter for its meeting on February 25, 2025. You can view the video recording of the meeting here. 

Purchase of 148 Waltham Street

The council voted unanimously to approve a purchase & sale agreement of $9.2 million for the property located at 148 Waltham Street.

Government

City Will Add New Position of Human Services Director

By |

City of WatertownThe Parker Annex Building is the recommended home of the City’s new Health and Human Services Department. A new position will be added to the City government, the director of Human Services, after the City Council approved implementing the recommendations of the Health and Human Services Assessment report. On Tuesday, the Council unanimously approved the recommendations, and the Human Services Director position has been posted on the City’s Employment d webpage. The Council also approved transferring $38,000 from the Council Reserve to fund the new position for the rest of the fiscal year. Rob Buchanan, Principal at Health Management Associates (HMA), presented the recommendations of the assessment to the City Council’s Committee on Human Services at a meeting on Feb.

Government

State Rep. Steve Owens Holding Pair of Office Hours in Watertown

By |

State Rep. Steve Owens. Residents have the opportunity to meet with one of Watertown’s representatives on Beacon Hill this month when Steve Owens holds his office hours. See the announcement provided by Owens’ office below. State Rep. Steve Owens, a Democrat in the 29th Middlesex District made up of parts of West Cambridge, North Cambridge, and Watertown, has office hours in Cambridge and Watertown. Office hours will take place on Friday, March 7 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Kendall Kitchen at the Quad (10 Wilson Road, Cambridge), and Monday, March 17 from 3-4 p.m. at the Watertown Senior Center (31 Marshall St., Watertown).

Government

City Will Purchase the Sterritt Lumber Site in the West End

By |

Watertown City Hall

The downturn in the life science lab market opened an opportunity for the City of Watertown to purchase a site in West Watertown where a lab building had been permitted but never constructed. Tuesday night, the City Council voted to allow City Manager George Proakis to sign an agreement with the owners of the 2-acre site at 148 Waltham St. for $9.2 million, and approved an initial payment of $500,000. When the Sterritt Lumber site was sold neighbors strongly opposed proposed new uses for the property, which included an apartment building and later a lab, which was approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals and permitted, but construction never started. City Council President Mark Sideris said that led to an opportunity for the City.

Government

Residents Wanted to Serve on Cultural Council, Housing Authority & Traffic Commission

By |

Watertown residents are invited to apply to serve on three City boards: the Cultural Council, the Watertown Housing Authority, and the Traffic Commission. See more information provided by the City of Watertown below. City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking residents to serve on the Cultural Council, the Watertown Housing Authority, and the Traffic Commission. Interested applicants should complete and submit a Universal Application. The Watertown Cultural Council (WCC) promotes excellence, access, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences.

Government

Council Newsletter: CPA Projects Approved, Memorialization Committee, Intersection to be Named for Gorky

By |

Watertown City Hall

The Watertown City Council voted on using Community Preservation Act funds on two projects, naming an intersection for an Armenian immigrant and artist, and discussed creating a Memorialization Committee. See more in the City Council Newsletter provided by the City of Watertown. City Council Newsletter: February 11, 2025 Meeting

Residents can view the recording of the February 11th meeting here. 

President’s ReportCouncil President Mark Sideris thanked the Department of Public Works as well as other city staff for their handling of last weekend’s snowstorm.He expressed gratitude for residents who have signed up for alerts through Everbridge and encouraged more residents to do so. This will ensure they receive notices of snow emergencies and other emergencies in the city on their cell phones. Residents will not be contacted frivolously, only for emergencies.