Schools

School Committee Update: Changes to Student Handbooks, Rendering of New High School & More

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The following information was provided by the School Committee:

The School Committee met on Monday, August 29, 2022. Over the summer, the School Committee completed and presented the 2021/2022 Superintendent evaluation. Dr. (Dede) Galdston was rated as proficient or exemplary by all members on all four standards in addition to her overall performance. She continues to show strong and steady leadership and we are grateful she is leading the Watertown Public Schools. Minor changes were approved for the Middle School handbook, High School handbook and District handbook.

Government

Governor’s Council Candidate’s “Dubious” Endorsements; Election Day Coincides With Watertown’s First Day of School

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The race for District 3 Governor’s Council continues to grab headlines as one of the candidates claimed support from Massachusetts politicians that it appears she does not have. Also, the City officials want voters to be aware — with many polling places located at schools — that election day falls on the same day as Watertown students head back to school. During a recent League of Women’s Voters forum District 3 Governor’s Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney, from Watertown, stated that she had endorsements, which were later refuted. The 12-term incumbent faces Concord’s Mara Dolan in the Democratic Primary for the seat on the board which, among other things, votes on the Governor’s nominations for judges and nominees for other boards, and on vote on the Governor’s proposed pardons and commutations of prisoners. In the debate, which was shown by NewTV (Newton’s public access channel), Devaney said she had been endorsed by Congressman Jim McGovern and Democratic State Auditor candidate Chris Dempsey.

City Budget

Watertown’s New City Manager Talks About Some of His Priorities as He Starts the Job

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Watertown’s new City Manager, George Proakis, officially started working for the City on Aug. 15, 2022. In his first few weeks as new City Manager, George Proakis has been meeting people and getting familiar with how things work in Watertown, but he does have a few items he knows will be on his plate during his first year on the job. Proakis sat down with Watertown News during his second week in his new job and shared some of his thoughts about projects he expects to take on early in his time in town. This is the second of two stories on the City’s new chief executive.

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New Manager Likes Watertown’s Strong Fiscal Base, Looks at Successes from Previous Community

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City of WatertownWatertown’s new City Manager, George Proakis, was sworn in by City Clerk Janet Murphy on Aug. 15, 2022. Even before his first official day as City Manager, George Proakis began to familiarize himself with the community by browsing through the booths at the Watertown Arts Market with his family. While he is new to Watertown, he knows a few things about this City’s government, and a lot about how municipal governments work. In May, the City Council chose Proakis to be Watertown’s first new manager in nearly three decades.

Around Town

Proposed Five-Story Building on Water Street is Second Phase Life Science Complex

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Elkus Manfredi ArchitectsA view of the proposed life science building at 99 Galen Street viewed from the Charles River. The second phase of the life science lab and office complex on Water Street, off Nonatnum Road, has been submitted to the City of Watertown and the project would have a five story building, a childcare center, and a publicly accessible park. Boston Development Group submitted the plans in early August. The developers seek a special permit with site plan review for a proposed building at 99 Water Street with five stories (four in some places depending on the grading). It would have 224,000 sq.