Starting with a pool of 28 applicants, City Manager George Proakis selected a group of nine people which is “very diverse with a very interesting mix of backgrounds” to nominate for Watertown’s first Human Rights Commission. The changes to Watertown’s Charter approved by voters in 2021 included the creation of a Human Rights Commission. More than two years later, the inaugural group of commissioners were submitted by Proakis to the City Council on Tuesday. “This one has been a complicated and long process to get us to this point,” Praokis said. The City Council adopted the ordinance to create the Human Rights Commission in September 2023, and in December 2023 Proakis sent out notice that he was seeking applicants for the Commission.
Government
2024 Presidential Primary Information: Ballots Have Other Races, See Where to Vote
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Watertown voters can cast their votes in the Presidential Primary on Tuesday, March 5, but the ballot includes some local officials, too. The Presidential Primaries are Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. To confirm your precinct location, please go to the Secretary of State’s Where Do I Vote webpage. Presidential Candidates
Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarian voters have multiple candidates to choose from for the Massachusetts Presidential Primary. Unenrolled voters can choose which party’s ballot to cast their votes.
Government
LETTER: Vote on Tuesday, March 5 – Participate in Democracy
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Every four years, this year on Tuesday, March 5th, United States citizens will exercise their right to vote for the candidate of their choice in the Presidential Primary Elections.Take the initiative to make a difference by casting your ballot; whether by mail; early voting process; or in person. On the Democratic ballot, the electorate will also vote their preference for the offices of Democratic State Committee Man and Woman. A slate of 35 candidates, also needs your support to serve on the Democratic Town Committee. Either vote for individuals, or the entire group.The Town Committee works to promote the objectives of the Democratic Party.
To the surprise of many; names come and go from the roster of candidates, listed on the ballot for the Democratic Town Committee. To note: quasi term-limits do exist in some elected positions.
Government
Memorials Approved to Honor Armenian Genocide Survivor & Little Girl Who Loved Reading
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Watertown City Hall
A survivor of the Armenian Genocide and a young girl who loved reading will be commemorated with memorials to be installed in Watertown. On Feb. 13, the City Council approved having a bench and a little library installed on City property. Memorial Bench
The bench commemorates Nazar Ohanessian, a survivor of the 1915 Armenian Genocide who settled on Quimby Street. He left Turkey and spent time in Northern Greece and Athens in the 1940s during the German occupation during World War II.
Government
Residents Wanted to Serve on City Boards and Committees
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Watertown has openings on several City boards and committees, including the Council on Aging, Traffic Commission, Watertown Housing Authority, Board of Assessors, Cultural Council, and the Solid Waste and Recycling Advisory Committee. The City sent out the following announcement:
City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the following City Boards, Commissions and Committees with appointment dates in May 2024 in accordance with Ordinance # 2007-46, an Ordinance on the Timing and Process of Appointments to City Boards, Commissions and Committees. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or other information concerning background or experience by email to citymgr@watertown-ma.gov or City Manager’s Office, 149 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472. Traffic Commission
Vacancy/Term: One Member, Two Year Term
Description: The duties and responsibilities of the Traffic Commission shall include: study the traffic situation in the City and shall suggest and advise the City Manager in ways and means to regulate traffic in the City and recommend changes and amendments to the Traffic Rules and Orders of the City with a view towards reducing accidents and relieving traffic congestion. The Traffic Commission meets the last Wednesday of each month.
Government
Watertown Democrats to Elect Delegates to State Convention
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Watertown Democrats are invited to attend a caucus on Saturday, March 9, at 1 p.m. to elect 24 delegates and 5 alternates to the 2024 Massachusetts Democratic Convention. The caucus will be held in the Watertown Savings Bank Room of the Watertown Library, 123 Main St. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m., and participants are encouraged to arrive early. Everyone who arrives by 1:15 p.m. will be admitted. At this year’s state convention, planned for Saturday, June 1 at the DCU Center in Worcester, thousands of Democrats from across the state will come together to cast a vote for their preferred Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate.
Government
In-Person Early Voting in Watertown Starts This Week
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Watertown voters can take part in early voting for the 2024 Presidential Primary during six days in late February and early March. Along with candidates for President, voters can vote for the party’s State Committee Man, State Committee Woman, and Town Committee. Polling places for the Presidential Primaries will be open on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The City of Watertown sent out the following information:
In-Person Early Voting for the Presidential Primaries Election will be held at City Hall located at 149 Main Street, Watertown in the Philip Pane Lower Hearing Room on the ground floor on the following dates and hours:
Saturday, February 24, 2024: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Sunday, February 25, 2024: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Monday, February 26, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Tuesday, February 27, 2024: 8:30am – 7:00pm
Wednesday, February 28, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Thursday, February 29, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Friday, March 1, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm
If you have any questions concerning the Election or where to go to vote, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 617-715-8686 or visit the Election and Voter Information page. Voters can also cast ballots by mail. The City Clerk’s Office said: “Massachusetts voters now have the option to vote early by mail in all Municipal, State and Federal Elections, with no excuse required.
Government
Watertown City Council Hosting Remote-Only Meeting Tuesday
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The City Council will meet Tuesday night in a remote-only session. See more details below. The agenda includes a public hearing and vote on $10.3 million for the Arsenal Park Improvements Phase B project, and the City Council will hear requests for accepting gifts to be used as memorials in the City. The meeting will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. See the entire agenda here.
Government
Watertown’s Building and Inspectional Services Departments Moving Out of City Hall
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Another Watertown City department will be moving out of City Hall and into the Parker Annex building. The Health Department and the Information Technology departments have already made the move south of the Charles River. The City of Watertown sent out the following information:
Watertown Building/Inspectional Services is moving on Thursday, February 22, 2024 and Friday February 23, 2024 to the Parker Annex Third floor, room 3D, located at 124 Watertown St., Watertown, MA 02472. They will still have the same phone number of 617-972-6480, the same contact information, and the same webpage. The staff will not be available for in-office face-to-face interactions starting at 11 a.m. on Thursday the 23rd and all-day Friday the 24th.