Government

Watertown’s New Chief Financial Officer Appointed by City Manager

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Ari Sky has been named Watertown’s Chief Financial Officer. The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City Manager George J. Proakis is pleased to announce the appointment of Ari J. Sky as Watertown’s new Chief Financial Officer effective February 5, 2024. Mr. Sky most recently served as the Town Administrator for the Town of Lakeville. As the Town’s chief administrative officer, Mr. Sky provided strategic and operational direction to the organization, administered the Town’s personnel systems, coordinated communications with the various boards and commissions, oversaw procurement activities and the annual operating and capital budget processes and provided advice and support to the Select Board. Over the course of Mr. Sky’s tenure, he facilitated the development of new processes and recruited key staff to enhance the organization’s ability to respond to growing challenges and to define and maintain a commitment to the Town’s core principles.

Government

Councilor Lisa Feltner Hosting Annual Public Meeting

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District B City Councilor Lisa Feltner. As part of the changes to the Watertown Charter all City Councilors must have an annual meeting to meet with the public. District B City Councilor Lisa Feltner announced the date of her meeting. See info below. City Councilor Lisa Feltner’s Annual Councilor Meeting is on Monday, January 8, 2024, from 6:30-8 p.m. via Zoom.

Government

Watertown Public Works Front Office Hours Changing

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The Department of Public Works facility on Orchard Street will be opening and closing earlier in the day starting the week of Dec. 18. The DPW asked the City Council to make the changes because many contractors start before the old opening time of 8:30 a.m. and wanted to do business with the department. Some councilors asked if residents would be coming over in the afternoon and no longer be able to speak to someone at the DPW front desk. Public Works Superintendent Greg St.

Government

City Council to Vote on Roads to be Reconstructed in 2024

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Tuesday night, the City Council will consider approving the list of roads in Watertown to be reconstructed in 2023. The Council’s Committee on Public Works recommended a list of five roads to be approved. The work would begin in the spring of 2024. Recommended Street List

George Street

Bromfield Street

Mangano Court

Grandview Avenue

Dwight Street

The list created by the Department of Public Works was based on a number of factors, according to the Committee report. “Some of these factors include a review of the pavement condition index (PCI), what utilities (water, sewer, and drain) are planned to be replaced, and the plans of public utilities (National Grid and Eversource).”

Government

This Week: Council to Consider ARPA Proposals, Cannistraro Project Continued

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The City Council will be considering what to do with Watertown’s $10 million-plus in federal ARPA funds this week, and also, the Planning Board will not be hearing the proposed project on the former Cannistraro site on Pleasant Street until next meeting. The agenda for Tuesday’s City Council meeting includes vote on the resolution for how to spend Watertown’s appropriation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds. The Council received more than 30 applications for a portion of the money. Applications came from City departments, local non-profits, and even resident groups. A Council committee heard from some of the applicants and produced a list of recommended proposals to fund.

Government

Councilor Nicole Gardner Hosting Annual Public Meeting

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Nicole Gardner, District A Councilor. As part of the changes to the Watertown Charter all City Councilors must have an annual meeting to meet with the public. City Councilor Nicole Gardner, District A Councilor, announced dates for his constituent meeting. See info below. City Councilor Nicole Gardner’s Annual Councilor Meeting is Thursday Dec.

Government

Some City Departments Will be On the Move within City Hall or to Parker Annex

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Photo by City of WatertownThe City of Watertown will move multiple municipal departments to the Parker Annex Building on Watertown Street. City Hall has been the center of municipal government in Watertown for nearly a century, and it will continue to be filled with local government offices but some will be moving across the Charles River to the recently reacquired Parker Annex Building. Last week, City Manager George Proakis presented his plan to rearrange City departments. Parker Annex

The first department to move across the river is Public buildings, Proakis said, and within the next two months he hopes the Information Technology (IT) Department will join them. First IT will be in a temporary location on the second floor before moving to a permanent spot on the third floor.

Government

City of Watertown’s Inauguration to be Held at Commander’s Mansion

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Watertown’s elected officials will take the oath of office during a ceremony to be held on Jan. 2, 2024 at the Commander’s Mansion. The newly elected (or re-elected) members of the City Council, School Committee, and Board of Library Trustees will be sworn in at the event that will take place at 7 p.m. at the historic mansion at 440 Talcott Ave. in Watertown (next to Arsenal on the Charles and Arsenal Park). The swearing in will include City Council President Mark Sideris; City Councilors At-Large Tony Palomba, Caroline Bays, John Gannon, and John Airaisan; District Councilors Nicole Gardner (District A), Lisa Feltner (B), Vincent Piccirilli (C), and Emily Izzo (D); School Committee members Kendra Foley, Lisa Capoccia, and Rachel Kay; and Library Trustees Teddy Kokoros, Maja Young, and Sarah Murphy-Holroyd.