Election 2021

Incumbents Re-elected in Town Council & School Committee Races, Charter Changes Approved

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Charlie Breitrose

Incumbents fared well in the race for Town Council Tuesday night with three winning re-election as Councilors At-Large Race, and the one facing a candidate for District Councilor coming out on top. The two incumbents running for the School Committee will also return for another term. The results came out of the Town Clerk’s Office at about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. The vote is not official until all the absentee and overseas votes are counted, which could take a week or longer. Incumbents Tony Palomba received the most votes for Councilors At-Large with 3,251.

Around Town

See the Watertown Streets that Made the List for Reconstruction in 2022

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The Department of Public Works proposes to reconstruct four streets in Watertown, and is looking at a longer streets to work on, too, in 2022. The DPW presented the proposed 2022 Road Program to the Council’s Public Works Committee, and it will be considered by the full Town Council at an upcoming meeting. The list includes four residential streets:

Boylston Street (Fairfield Street to Porter Street)Chester StreetLocke StreetChapman Street (Main Street to Highland Avenue)

The Council also designated $1.5 million for longer streets. This year Waverley Avenue made the list. In 2022, Highland Avenue is recommended for reconstruction, and in 2023, the DPW recommends doing roadwork on Morse Street and Fifth Avenue.

Football

Watertown High School Football Heads to Playoffs After Second Straight OT Win

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Charlie BreitroseThe last time Watertown High School made the MIAA football playoffs in 2017 the Raiders made it all the way to the State Semifinals against Dennis-Yarmouth. Pictured, Watertown junior quarterback Nick McDermott passes the ball to junior running back Mange Camara in the EMass final. For the second week in a row the Watertown High School football team triumphed in overtime. Next up for the Raiders is a road state playoff game. The Raiders wrapped up their regular season schedule with a 29-23 overtime win at Melrose.

Charter Changes

2021 Watertown Election Guide, See What’s on the Ballot, Where to Vote

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Tuesday is election day in Watertown, and Town voters will be selecting candidates for three Town boards, as well as voting on changes to the Town Charter. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (see polling locations below). Town Council, School Committee & Library Trustee Races

The 2021 election has 25 candidates running, with several contested races. Only two are uncontested — Town Council President and District C Town Councilor. Seven people are running for four Councilor At-Large spots.

Charter Changes

See What’s in the Proposed Charter Changes on the Watertown Ballot

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Charlie BreitroseA mailing went out to Watertown voters with the details of the proposed changes to the Town Charter. On Tuesday, Nov. 2, Watertown voters will not only vote on the Town Council, School Committee and Library Trustees, but also the proposed changes to the Town Charter. The Town Charter defines how Watertown’s government operates. Watertown first adopted the Town Charter in 1980 when it moved from a town government with a Town Meeting, to a city-style government with a Town Council and a Town Manager.

Arrests

Police Log: Drug Task Force Arrests Dealer, Jewelry Stolen from Gym

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

Oct. 20, 1:46 p.m.: The Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force had a man under surveillance for suspected dealing narcotics. On Oct. 20, the task force followed the suspect to Waltham where they observed what they believed to be a drug deal with another man.

Around Town

Watertown DPW Hosting Styrofoam Recycling Event, Paper Shredding & Textile Collection

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The following information was provided by the Watertown DPW:

Watertown Public Works will be hosting a Recycling Event for residents on Saturday, November6th at the Jewish Day School located at 57 Stanley Avenue in Watertown, MA. Elements of the event include Styrofoam collection, paper shredding and textile collection. HELPSY, the northeast’s largest clothing collector, will have a truck and staff on hand to help with textile collection—diverting these items from disposal at local landfills. Watertown has also formed a partnership with HELPSY to offer residents weekly curbside pick-up of clothing and other household textiles. Beginning November 5th, pickups can be scheduled online at www.helpsy.co/watertownma. According to the EPA, Textile waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the United States … occupying nearly 5% of all landfills.

Around Town

Candidate Q&A: School Committee

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Charlie BreitroseThe public gathered outside the new Cunniff Elementary School before open house on Tuesday. Three spots on the Watertown School Committee are up for grabs, and half a dozen candidates have put their name forward. The School Committee has four-year terms, and two incumbents seek another term. Longtime School Committee member, and current chair, John Portz announced in June that he would not be running for re-election in 2021. Amy Donohue and Lily Rayman-Read seek re-election, and four challengers are running for spots on the Committee: Jessica Middlebrook, Jennifer Nicholson, Colleeen Mahoney Farherty and Rachel Kay.