Election 2021

Vote By Mail Ballots Available for Watertown’s Town Election in November

By |

Charlie Breitrose

The Town of Watertown sent out the following information:

The Watertown 2021 Local Election on November 2, 2021 will have ballot questions involving the Town Charter as well as elected positions. Vote by mail if you’re unable to come to the polls on Election Day. Information about submitting an application and then voting by mail. You may request a Vote By Mail ballot by:

• Sending a written request via mail (please include original signature). • Completing a Vote By Mail Ballot Application (PDF) and submit the application via email to the Town Clerk’s office, via postal mail, in-person, drop in the Ballot box outside of Town Hall on the Saltonstall side of Town Hall, or electronically via fax at 617-972-6595

• Call the Town Clerk at 617-972-6486 to request a Vote By Mail Application be mailed to you.

District A

LETTER: Resident Endorses Nicole Gardner for District A Councilor

By |

I’ve lived in Watertown for more than ten years and in that time I have been active in several local groups, such as the Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice and the Environment as well as Watertown Community Conversations. I’m writing today to endorse Nicole Gardner for District A Town Councilor because I know that she will bring her outstanding skills and qualities to this role. I encourage my fellow East End residents to cast a vote for Nicole on November 2nd. Nicole and I both served on the Steering Committee of Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice and the Environment, where I observed her excellent listening skills, her spirit of collaboration, and her ability to zero in on a problem and offer a creative solution. She’s a strategic thinker, always exploring the implications of actions that the committee endorsed.  

I’ve been consistently impressed by Nicole’s ability to understand the complex issues facing residents of Watertown, especially evident in our work together with Watertown Forward, which encouraged community engagement in the charter review process.

Government

Council Honors Resident Who Served in Afghanistan, Discuss Creating a Memorial for Veterans of War on Terror

By |

Watertown Town Hall

The Town Council honored Watertown residents who served in the War in Afghanistan with a proclamation, and the idea was raised to create a memorial to those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. On Tuesday night, the Town Council read and approved a proclamation “Honoring Those Watertown Citizens Who Served in The War in Afghanistan.” The proclamation acknowledged the “new generation of service members who joined the military in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001.” Also, adding that Watertown has over 700 residents who are veterans of the military.

Commenting

New Rules for Commenting on Election Stories and Candidates

By |

Charlie BreitroseWatertown residents cast their ballots at Watertown Town Hall in 2020. Watertown has a big election coming up on Nov. 2, 2021, with several contested races as well as the proposed Charter changes. The discussion about the candidates and the issues has already become contentions, so in order to provide some accountability when it comes to commenting a new policy will apply to comments on election stories, or those about candidates on other stories. Candidates have put themselves out there and express their opinions and platforms. While it is fair game to question and oppose those things, to make it a level playing field, commenters should also stand behind their opinions by signing their comments.

Election 2021

Town Charter Changes Going on the Ballot, Info to be Sent to Residents

By |

The proposed changes to the Town Charter, the document that lays out how Watertown’s government operates, will be on the November ballot in the form of two questions. The items will appear as summaries on the ballot, but voters will receive detailed information about all the changes. On Sept. 2, the Town Council ironed out a few issues the Attorney General’s office had with the proposed Charter changes, and also discussed how the items should be on the ballot. Number of Ballot Questions

Initially, the proposal was to have three separate items: one on changing the official name from the “The City Known as the Town of Watertown” to “The City of Watertown,” one about the preamble proposed to be added at the beginning of the Charter, and a third covering “everything else,” or all the other changes to the document.

Government

Watertown Town Hall Hours Change After Labor Day, See When It’s Open

By |

Watertown Town Hall

The hours for the Town’s offices returned to the typical schedule after being altered over the summer. The Town of Watertown sent out the following updated Town Hall hours:

Watertown Town Hall hours are Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The following town departments are open until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday evenings:

Assessor’s OfficeTown Clerk’s OfficeTreasurer/Collector’s Office

There is a Watertown Board of Health Order mandating the wearing of face coverings indoors throughout Watertown. Please bring, and wear a face mask, if you come to Town Hall. Thank you.

Government

Candidate for District D Council Hosting Listening Session for Residents

By |

Charlie BreitroseWatertown residents cast their ballots at Watertown Town Hall in 2020. The following announcement was provided by the Committee to Elect Connie Henry:

Are you a District D resident? Join your neighbors for an outdoor listening session on Sunday, September 12 from 3-4:30pm hosted by the Committee to Elect Connie Henry. The event will use a “World Cafe” model that encourages conversation among neighbors. There will be four stations focused on the following important topics: Development and Traffic; Green Spaces and the Environment; Education and Public Safety; and Communication, Equity, and Inclusion.

Extreme Weather

Watertown Receives Grant to Prepare for Impacts of Extreme Weather

By |

The Charles River in Waterotwn Square.Watertown DPW

The Town of Watertown has been awarded an MVP Action Grant for a new Equity-Based Community Greening Program. The Town will use the money to work to identify climate-vulnerable areas of town and design green interventions to add trees and stormwater management. “We have seen numerous heat waves this summer, and they will only become more frequent,” said Watertown Senior Environmental Planner Laurel Schwab. “This $94,240 MVP grant will help us use trees and green infrastructure to cool off our hottest neighborhoods and help protect our most vulnerable residents.” Learn more about the MVP Grants in the announcement provided by the Mystic River Watershed Association:

Following the release of $20 million in state FY2022 MVP Grants, The Mystic River Watershed Association announced that Resilient Mystic Collaborative (RMC) cities and towns had secured a total of $2.6 million in state funding to help prepare for extreme weather.