Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/government/page/24/)
Photo by Charlie BreitroseWatertown residents will cast their ballots in the 2023 Municipal Election on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Two races will pique the interest of Watertown voters in the 2023 Municipal Election on Tuesday, Nov. 7: the School Committee and City Council President. Polls will be open on election day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (see polling locations below).
Watertown’s top elected position is on the ballot for the Nov. 7, 2023 Municipal Election. The two candidates running for City Council President responded to a series of questions posed by Watertown News. The race features incumbent Mark Sideris, and former Council President Clyde Younger. Each seeks the two-year term on both the City Council and as a member of the Watertown School Committee.
Watertown News: Please provide a brief description of yourself: your family, profession, any other relevant information. Mark Sideris: I am married with 3 children who all sucessfully graduated from the Watertown public schools. I am also the proud grandfather of a 14 month old granddaughter. My brother and I own an auto body shop in Waltham. WN: Please tell us about what inspired you to run for City Council President, and what experiences you have that would help you serve on the Council.
MS: I want to continue as council president so I can work with my colleagues on the council and the school committee to keep the city moving forward on a number of issues we are working on.
The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Human Rights Commission recently established by the City Council Ordinance 0-2023-66 per Home Rule Charter Section 2-11-Human Rights Commission. The Commission shall work to ensure that all persons enjoy equal opportunity to participate in local affairs, including but not limited to housing, employment, education, public accommodation, access to city services, insurance, credit, banking and health care, regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, age, religion, disability, health status, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, socioeconomic status, ex-offender status, genetic and/or “protected class” status. The Commission shall promote human rights in Watertown through outreach, dialogue, educational forums, the development of an Action Plan, serving as a resource to persons with concerns of discrimination within the City, recommending policies or resolutions for adoption by City Council, City Manager or other City departments, boards or commissions, providing annually a written report to the City Manager and City Council on the Commission’s activities and hold a public forum and other charges and responsibilities set forth in the Ordinance 0-2023-66. There are nine Commissioners appointed by the City Manager and there are liaisons from the Watertown Police Department, the School Department and one from the student body. To Apply
Applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or other information concerning background or experience by Friday, December 8, 2023: by email to citymgr@watertown-ma.gov or City Manager’s Office, 149 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472.
The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:
In-Person Early Voting for the Watertown Municipal 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:
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Wednesday, November 1, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
If you have any questions, visit the City Clerk’s office at City Hall during regular business hours, or call 617-972-6486. https://www.watertownmanews.com/2023/10/18/missed-the-school-committee-candidate-forum-see-it-here/
Watch Videos from This Week’s Council President Forums, Catch the School Committee Hopefuls Monday
By Clyde YoungerWatertown Resident & Candidate for City Council President
I prefix my comments by saying, without any hesitation, the Planning Department must be re organized. It is my firm belief the Department is misleading the citizens of Watertown. The change must begin at the top. I am not saying the Assistant City Manager/Director of Planning and Development should be fired; however, the Buck ends with this position. My recommendation is he should be laterally transferred into a different position within the administration.
The project planned for 104 Main St. was approve by the Zoning Board of Appeals. This is a view from Main Street. (Courtesy of O’Connor Capital Partners)
Developers of the project at 104 Main St. knocked a story off the project and widened the public walkway from Main Street to Pleasant Street, and received approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Residents’ Advisory Committee. 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. Description: The Residents’ Advisory Committee, as required by Section 3-7 of the new city charter, is designed to “assist with recruitment, evaluation and selection of candidates for appointment to multi-member bodies.” As noted in the charter, the committee and the City Manager will work together to “actively encourage a diverse pool of applicants for (these) multiple-member bodies.”