Around Town

New Policy for Lights at City Fields and Courts Approved by City Council

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A new policy was approved for lights at Watertown’s Recreation facilities, including Saltonstall Park, home to the Papas Elite Summer Basketball League. (Photo by Natalie Nigito Photography)

A new policy for controlling lights at Recreation Department-run fields and courts was approved by the City Council on Aug. 12, despite some confusion coming out of the Committee meeting on the issue. The purpose of the policy, said Councilor Tony Palmoba (chair of the Committee on Parks and Recreation) is to have effective lighting while balancing community needs, public access and energy conservation. Generally, lights will turn on at fields and courts at sunset and turn off at designated closing times.

Government

Council President to Republic: Trash Strike “Needs to Come to an End”

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Overflowing trash and recycling bins on Main Street during the trash strike. (Photo by Dean Martino)

City Council President Mark Sideris read a letter to the City Council Thursday night in which he calls on Republic Services to end of the trash strike, which began on July 1. The City Council voted to approve sending the letter. Sideris’ letter follows two letter sent by City Manager George Proakis and other municipal leaders to Republic. The last one was sent on July 10.

Around Town

2025 Watertown Election Includes Races for City Council, School Committee & Library Trustees

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Candidates pulled papers to challenge for seats on the Watertown City Council, School Committee, and Board of Library Trustees in the 2025 Watertown City Election. At least one incumbent on each of the boards will not be running, and there will be new faces on all three. The City Election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and there will be no preliminary election. Councilor-At-Large John Airasian, will not be seeking reelection.

Government

City Council to Vote on Water & Sewer Rates, Increase Expected

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Tuesday night, the City Council will vote on the water and sewer rates for residents and commercial customers in town. An increase is proposed, but not as much as previously estimated. The City Council will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8 in City Hall. Remote participation on Zoom will also be available. See details on the agenda here.

Government

Funds to Improve Track & Courts, Create New Entrance at Victory Field Approved

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The Victory Field Phase II project includes renovation of the track, courts, and the driveway in the complex. Several years after the planning began for improvements to the track oval and tennis and basketball courts area at Victory Field, funding for the project was approved by the City Council Tuesday night. The final recommendation for the project was approved in 2018, but the project was pushed back on the City’s list of capital projects until this year. On June 24, Councilors unanimously approved borrowing $8.9 million to pay for construction and reconstruction of parts of the municipal outdoor recreational and athletic facilities located at Victory Field. The project is the second phase of improvements to the Victory Field athletic facilities, coming after the improvements to the stadium area (where sports including football, soccer and field hockey play) and the baseball diamond.

Government

City Council Will Consider Special Committee’s Recommendations to Raise Council Salaries Nearly 70%

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Watertown City Hall

The committee appointed to study City Council compensation is recommending that Councilors get a raise of more than $6,000. The compensation proposal will be considered by the Council Tuesday night at the Council Meeting. The Blue Ribbon Committee, a group of seven residents, met seven times and looked at councilor salaries in other communities, interviewed Watertown City Councilors, and came up with four recommendations including raising salaries. The last time the Council changed its compensation it used a cost of living percentage of 2.5 percent per year. In January 2023, it increased the salary of Councilors from $7,500 to $8,900, and the Council President’s Salary from $10,500 to $12,000.

Letters

LETTER: Chamber Supports Increasing City Council Compensation

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Dear President Sideris,

The Charles River Regional Chamber supports the Blue Ribbon Commission’s proposal to increase City Councilor and Council President compensation. Public service is demanding, often thankless work. If we want to continue attracting talented, diverse, and committed civic leaders, especially those who may not be independently wealthy or retired, we must offer compensation that at least begins to reflect the time, energy, and responsibility these positions require. Most importantly, improved compensation reflects the value of public service and strengthens our democracy by broadening the pool of individuals who can realistically serve. The commission’s recommendation is the result of a thorough data-driven examination of peer communities, taking into account the city’s budget and core responsibilities.

Government

City Watertown Retirees Will Get a Pension Boost After Council Vote

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This week, the City Council voted to give City retirees an increase in their pension benefits, while maintaining a fully-funded pension system. Retirees typically get an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) of 3 percent a year, said City Manager George Proakis, but that increase only applies to the first $14,000. On May 13, the Council voted to increase the amount that the COLA is applied to by $1,000. The pension number is fixed based upon an employee’s years of service and their age when they retired, Proakis said. The increase came at the request of the Watertown Retirement Board, said City Council President Mark Sideris.