Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/government/page/134/)
The newly elected town officials will be sworn in during the 2020 Inauguration on Jan. 2, 2020 at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. The members of the Town Council, School Committee and Library Board of Trustees will be sworn in that night. The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2, according to the announcement sent out by the Town.
The Town Council recently honored Susan Falkoff after her last Council meeting. She served nearly 14 years. The Town Council bid farewell to a long-serving member, last week. Susan Falkoff leaves the Council after nearly 14 years of service, and the last stretch was a bonus. It was not that long ago that the Town Council was honoring Falkoff with a proclamation.
School Committee member Eileen Hsu-Balzer left the board after serving for nearly a quarter century. Few people have touched the lives of as many Watertown children as retiring School Committee member Hsu-Balzer. Last week, the School Committee honored her during her final meeting on the board on which she served six terms.
“Eileen is stepping down after 24 years — an amazing commitment to the Town’s Schools.,” said School Committee Chair John Portz. “You have to go back to 1896 to find anyone who served as along as Eileen has on the Watertown School Committee.” Former School Committee member Tony Paolillo served 12 years with Hsu-Balzer.
A Town Council subcommittee narrowed down the applications for two marijuana dispensaries in town to operators seeking to open in locations in Watertown Square and on Pleasant Street. While the ballot question that legalized recreational marijuana dispensaries in Massachusetts prevents communities from banning pot from being sold, communities can limit the number of facilities. The Town Council has limited the number to three in Watertown. One dispensary has been approved to open at 23 Elm Street in the East End, and Town officials accepted applications for the other two dispensaries in town. Thursday evening, the Council’s Economic Development and Planning Committee reviewed the four applications, ultimately asked two to start the approval process: one at 48 North Beacon St.
Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll. Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll will be getting a raise after the Town Council approved his pay hike following a recent job evaluation. Driscoll’s pay rises $9,500 to $205,000, and the increase is retroactive to the beginning of Fiscal Year 2019 (July 1, 2018). The increase is the first for the Town Manager since 2017. Salary Comparison
When determining the new salary, a review of other Watertown public employees was conducted, as well as the salaries of other communities with Town Managers, Sideris said.
State Rep. Jonathan Hecht
Representative Jonathan Hecht announced he will hold office hours twice in Watertown in December. Constituents are invited to meet with Representative Hecht at the following times and locations:
Thursday, Dec. 125:00-6:00 p.m.Watertown Free Public Library123 Main St, Raya Stern Trustees Room
Wednesday, Dec. 18
8:30-9:30 a.m.Watertown Town Hall149 Main St, 3rd Floor hallway
Anyone unable to attend these office hours can call Representative Hecht at 617-722-2140 to schedule an appointment at another time.
A lot of money was raised and spent on the 2015 Watertown Election. The Town Council’s list of priorities for next year’s budget includes funding the school building projects, funding streets and sidewalks. Also, two new ones were added: funding a climate & energy master plan and hiring a consultant to help with the review of the Town Charter. The list of 15 priorities was approved by the Town Council at the Nov. 26 Council meeting.
Snow started early Tuesday and will get much heavier during the day. Watertown School officials closed the Public Schools Tuesday due to the snowfall. Also, town facilities will open late due to the storm. A Watertown Public Schools Twitter post sent out Monday night reads:
“Due to the timing of the storm that is predicted for tonight and into the morning hours, all Watertown Public Schools, including the offices, will be closed tomorrow, December 3.” Watertown Town Hall, the Library and the Senior Center will open at 10 a.m. due to the snow storm, according to an alert sent out by the Town Administration.