Government

State of the City: Manager’s New Goals, Charter Review & a Downtown Post Office

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The City of Watertown will have a new set of goals used to create the annual budget and make decisions about how municipal departments operate, City Manager City Manager George Proakis said during Tuesday’s State of the City presentation. During the address, he and City Council President Mark Sideris also discussed the Charter Review set to happen in 2026, and the possibility of having a Post Office in the center of town. This is the second story on the 2025 State of the City Address. See the first story, focused on the factors that could impact Watertown’s economic future, and in turn the City’s budget, by clicking here. New Goals

Proakis has been in town for three years, and has worked with the City Council to create the budget.

Government

Learn About the Proposed Watertown Charter Changes at Ice Cream Social

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A resident group will host an ice cream social where people can learn about the proposed changes to the document that spells out how Watertown’s government operates, as well as about the group. Watertown Forward will host the ice cream social on Friday, Sept. 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Arsenal Park, 485 Arsenal St. The group will discuss the proposed Charter changes that will be on the ballot in the Nov. 2 Town Election.

Charter Review

Join the Charter Chat on the Final Stages of the Watertown Charter Review

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The Town of Watertown is reviewing and proposing changes to the Town Charter, which spells out how the municipal government works, and the process is nearing its end. A group of residents will host a virtual Charter Chat on Sunday, July 11. Watertown Forward has organized discussions of the Charter Review during the course of the process. This week’s chat will be on Sunday from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Watertown Forward sent out the following information about the Charter Chat:

The next Sunday WF Charter Chat will focus on what’s next in the process and on how to continue improving communications and public engagement. Specifically, this Charter Chat will:

• Bring folks up-to-date on the results of the CRC’s work (what is being proposed and what is deferred for action by ordinance or other means) and what comes next (review by the Town Council and approval by voters in November);

• Hear from Chris McClure, Tony Palomba and possibly other guests on ideas about how to keep residents well-informed about the proposed Charter changes, the Town Council’s vote and the November ballot.  There will be time for questions and discussion about transparency and communication in general. 

See how to join the Charter Chat by clicking here.

Government

Charter Review Group Discusses How Planning, Zoning Board Members are Appointed

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The Town of Watertown’s Zoning Map. With development in Watertown being a topic of controversy for the past decade, the Charter Review Committee examined how the two boards overseeing building and development are appointed. At the June 29 meeting of the Charter Review Committee, resident member Marcia Ciro proposed an amendment to the Town Charter, which would change the way the members of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals are appointed. Currently the Town Manager makes the nominations for appointment, and the Council votes to confirm, or not, the person. Ciro proposed having the Town Council appoint the members of both boards.

Charter Review

Council Will be Required to Hold Meetings with Residents, President will Continue to Serve on School Committee

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Watertown Town Hall

Town Councilors would be required to meet with residents, and answer their questions, at least once a year, under a recommendation passed by the Charter Review Committee. Another recommendation would have the Council President will continue to serve on the School Committee. The Town Charter defines how Watertown’s government operates, and every 10 years it is reviewed by the Charter Review Committee. The group, which is made up of Town Councilors and residents, approved a number of changes to the Charter at its meeting on June 1. The changes will be reviewed by the Town Council before ultimately going to the voters for final approval in November.

Charter Review

Charter Review: Town Manager Won’t Have to Live in Town, New Communication Requirements Proposed

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Watertown’s Town Manager would no longer be required to live in town if voters approve the recommended change approved by the Charter Review Committee. The group, which is reviewing the document which defines how the Town’s government works, also approved recommended new requirements for the Town Manager related to communicating with the public. At the June 1 meeting, the Charter Review Committee tackled a number of sections of the Town Charter related to the Executive branch. In Watertown, the executive is the Town Manager. Discussion some other items impacting the Town Manager were not completed and will be discussed at future meetings.

Government

Recommended Charter Change Would Allow Council to Hire Staff, Committee Looks at Requiring Open Forums for Councilors

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s Town Hall. The Town Council should be able to hire its own staff or consultants without having to ask the Town Administration for funding, the Charter Review Committee decided Tuesday night. Also, Tuesday, the Committee recommended changing the Charter, which spells out how the Town’s government operates, to add more details about how the Town Council sets policies. Hiring Staff

The members of the Charter Review Committee agreed that the Council should be able to hire assistants, but they disagreed on the best way to specify it in the Charter, and how much detail should be included. One of the proposals presented by Michael Ward, the consultant from the Collins Center, was to specify hiring an analyst, with a second recommendation which would enable the Council, by passing an ordinance, to hire more staff that it deems necessary.

Around Town

Watertown Voters Will Continue to Directly Elect Council President After Vote by Charter Review Committee

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Watertown Town Hall

Voters in Watertown will continue to elect the Town Council President directly, rather than having the position chosen by a majority of the Council. The decision was made by the Watertown Charter Review Committee on Tuesday night. The decision came on the same night that members discussed the makeup of the Town Council and the councilor compensation. Also, if the Council President should serve on the School Committee, or have a designee. The group reviewing the document that defines how the Town’s government operates looked at the Legislative section of the Charter on Tuesday.