Elections

LETTER: Council Candidate’s Ideas for Unused Branch Libraries

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Watertown’s two branch libraries have been vacant since closing in 2006.  During the past decade, two separate re-use committees have struggled to find appropriate utilization for the decaying buildings. Any re-use of either branch library will require heavy reconstruction, and costs for proposed uses by outside groups have been estimated to exceed the return on investment. Some have indicated that selling one or both of these buildings is the only solution, while others point to the former Parker School as a reason to maintain ownership. Along with the former Police Station building, I believe that Watertown has the potential for an innovative approach to managing and revitalizing these vacant sites, which takes into account other challenges our local economy is already confronted with. For example, re-use should address job creation, the rise in out-of-district educational costs, and attempt to make health care costs more affordable.

Elections

LETTER: Another Councilor’s Response to the Fire Union’s Questionnaire

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Dear Mr. Mannix and Members of IAFF Local 1347:

Thank you for reaching out to the candidates in the upcoming town elections regarding their position on the outstanding Watertown Firefighters contract. I must respectfully decline to complete the enclosed questionnaire on this issue prepared by the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) given the lawsuit filed by IAFF Local 1347 on March 19, 2015 against the Town of Watertown in which I was named as a defendant. My record as a District B Councilor and life-long Democrat clearly indicates my support for the Town’s 12 unions and the collective bargaining process. During my tenure as District B Councilor, I have consistently supported policies and budgets that will provide salaries and benefits to all the Town’s union employees commensurate with those in our peer communities. I take extremely serious the Council’s role as the fiscal authority for Watertown; and in that role, I was one of 8 Councilors who voted against the non-binding arbitration decision on Dec.

Around Town

LETTER: Councilor’s Response to Fire Union’s Candidate Questionnaire

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The following letter is District A Town Councilor Angeline Kounelis’ response to a Candidate Questionnaire sent to her by Robert Mannix, President of Watertown Fire Fighters Local 1347 (see the Fire Union Letter and Questionnaire below):

Dear Mr. Mannix:

Please be advised, on 03/19/15, Thomas A. McManus, Kevin MacDonald, Stephan Ciara and Watertown Fire Fighters, International Assoc. of Fire Fighters, Local 1347, the Plaintiffs, filed Civil Action No. 15-1551 in the County of Middlesex, Trial Court of Massachusetts, Superior Court Dept. The Defendants are the City of Watertown; Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll, and nine individually named City of Watertown Council, inclusive of myself. On the advise of my legal counsel, because of the aforenoted litigation, I am precluded from replying to the 08/03/15 Candidate’s Questionnaire.

Elections

Town Council Changes Date of the Watertown Preliminary Election

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Watertown’s Preliminary Election has been moved to Thursday, Sept. 17 so that it does not conflict with the Jewish high holiday of Rosh Hashanah. Originally, the preliminary election was to be held on Sept. 15, which is also the final day of the Jewish New Year celebration. Town Manager Michael Driscoll said that the town was contacted by the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office warning town officials of the conflict.

Election 2015

Watertown Ballot Set, One Town Councilor Will Not Run for Reelection

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The 2015 Watertown Town Election ballot has been finalized, and one name that has been on the ballot for many years will not be there this time. 

Town Council Vice President Steve Corbett decided not to seek reelection this year after serving as a Councilor at large for a decade. “I feel like it is time. It has been quite a while – five terms, 10 years,” Corbett said. Corbett said he looks forward to spending more time with his family and friends. “I have done my time,” Corbett said.

Elections

Watertown Election Ballot Starting to Come into Focus

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More candidates have been officially certified to appear on the Nov. 3 Watertown Town Election ballot, and there will be a preliminary election this fall. Here is what the ballot would look like if the election was Wednesday, as of noon. (I = incumbent). Town Council President

Mark Sideris (I)

Town Councilor At Large (Four Seats)

Patryce Gergopoulos
Michael Dattoli
Aaron Dushku (I)
Susan Falkoff (I)
Tony Palomba (I)

District A Councilor

Angeline Kounelis (I)
Bob Erickson

District B Councilor

Kevin McDonald
Lisa Feltner
Patricia Van Dinter

District C Councilor

Vincent Piccirilli (I)

District D Councilor

Kenneth Woodland (I)
Bob McCarthy

School Committee (Three Seats)

Eileen Hsu-Balzer (I)
Candace Miller
Kendra Foley

Library Trustee (Three Seats)

Michael Hanlon (I)
Sheppard Ferguson

A number of incumbents have taken out papers to run, but have yet to get their signatures certified.

Elections

LETTER: Retired Firefighter Announces Candidacy for West End Councilor

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Robert B. McCarthy, a lifelong Watertown resident who resides at 71 Bromfield St., announced that he is a candidate for Town Councilor representing District D.

“I believe it is time for a change. I pledge to vigorously campaign and will listen to the people of Watertown,” McCarthy said. Town Clerk John Flynn notified Mr. McCarthy Friday that his nomination papers have been certified. McCarthy, a Viet Nam Era U.S. Navy Veteran, previously served as an elected Town Meeting Member before the Town voted to change the Town Government and Charter to a Town Manager/Council form of government in 1981. He served for thirty four years in the Watertown Fire Department retiring as a Captain in 2001. He also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts from 1987 to 2011.

Elections

See Who Took Out Papers to Run for Town Council President

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A familiar face in Watertown politics may challenge incumbent Mark Sideris for the position of Town Council President. Clyde Younger, who had two stints as Town Council President, has pulled papers to run for the top position on the Watertown Town Council. Sideris is running for reelection and former firefighter Bob McCarthy has also pulled papers to run. Younger said he has not been satisfied with the way the town’s government has been operated. “After watching a few meetings and seeing the direction of the town, I felt that I needed to get involved in a formal way in order to be heard,” Younger said in an email.