Government

Find Out What it is Like to Serve on a Watertown Board or Commission

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A panel discussion will be held about serving on a City board or commission. On Thursday, Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. a virtual panel discussion will be held about how to serve on one of the city’s appointed boards or commission. It will cover: what it’s like to serve, how to apply, and what positions are currently open. The panel will include:

• Amy Plovnick (Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee)

• Janet Buck (Stormwater Advisory Committee)

• Leo Martin (Conservation Commission), and

• Jeanne Trubek (Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee) 

All are invited to attend.

Government

State Rep. Owens, State Sen. Brownsberger Hosting Joint Virtual Office Hours

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State Rep. Steve Owens (left) and State Sen. Will Brownsberger will host joint office hours. The following announcement was provided by State. Rep. Steve Owens’ office:

State Representative Steve Owens will be hosting Joint Office Hours alongside State Senator Will Brownsberger next week on Tuesday, January 11th. The event will be virtual and begin at 5:00 p.m. EST and end at 7:00 p.m. EST. Both legislators are looking forward to hearing from constituents on state-related legislative or personal matters.

City Council

Watertown Councilors, School Committee & Library Trustees Sworn-In at City Hall

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Charlie BreitroseMembers of the Watertown City Council take the oath from City Clerk Janet Murphy on Monday night. Most years, the swearing-in of Watertown’s newly elected officials is part of an inauguration ceremony in a large venue with many guests, but with COVID-19 the 2022 event was an intimate affair. The winners of the November 2021 election were sworn in by City Clerk Janet Murphy in the Council Chamber in City Hall Monday night. Charlie BreitroseAfter her swearing-in, Library Trustee Sara Keary poses with City Manager Michael Driscoll, left, and City Council President Mark Sideris. Some family members were on hand for the ceremony, but the Chamber was not full even when eight City Councilors took the oath.

Government

Public Invited to Community Forum on Hiring New City Manager, Will be In-Person and Virtual

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The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown is pleased to announce a community forum will be held on January 12th to offer Watertown residents the opportunity to share their thoughts regarding the skills and experience the next City Manager should possess. The forum will be held on Wednesday, January 12th, at 6 p.m. in the Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber at the Administration Building, 149 Main Street. This will be a hybrid event, supporting both in-person and remote participation. “We are very interested in hearing recommendations regarding the skills and experience Watertown residents would like to see in their next City Manager,” said Mark Sideris, Council President. “It is critical that residents are an integral part of the City Manager selection process.”The City has hired the consulting firm Community Paradigm Associates to assist in the search process.

Government

Retirement Party for City Manager Postponed Due to COVID-19

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The retirement party planned for City Manager Michael Driscoll has been postponed due to the increase in COVID-19 cases. Driscoll announced his retirement in June, and will complete nearly 30 years as Town and City Manager of Watertown. He was first hired by Watertown in 1977. The City sent out the following announcement:

Given the current COVID-19 situation, City Council President Mark S. Sideris announced today that the planned January 29, 2022 Event honoring Michael J. Driscoll upon his retirement the end of January after serving our community for 45 years, with the last 29 years as Watertown’s City Manager, has been postponed. We will be sure to let you know the revised date of the Event honoring Mr. Driscoll once it has been determined.

Government

Watertown’s Inauguration Ceremony Canceled Due to Increasing COVID Cases

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Watertown City Hall

The Watertown inauguration ceremony has been cancelled due to increasing cases of COVID-19, but the newly-elected officials will still be sworn-in on Jan. 3. City Council President Mark Sideris announced the cancellation on Tuesday. “It is with great regret and with an abundance of caution that we will be cancelling the inauguration that was scheduled for Jan. 3rd,” Sideris said in a statement.