Government

Council to Decide on Watertown Property Tax Rates at Meeting Tuesday

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Charlie Breitrose

Tuesday night, the City Council will hear the tax rate presentation from the Town Assessor, and recommendations for tax breaks for residential properties and owner-occupied homes. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber in City Hall, 149 Main St. It will also be broadcast on Watertown Cable Access’s Government Channel (Comcast Channel 9, RCN Channel 13, and on wcatv.org). On Tuesday, Chair of the Board of Assessors Earl Smith will present the Fiscal Year 2022 Tax Classification Hearing to the Council. The members of the Council will then decide on the rate, and on ways to ease the burden on residential property owners.

Government

New Councilor Sworn In, Will Serve the Remainder of the Term Representing District D Before Serving Full Term

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Charlie BreitroseEmily Izzo was sworn in as District D Councilor on Thursday night. She will fill the remainder of the term for the vacant seat representing the westside of Watertown before starting her first full term. Westsiders have a Councilor again with newly elected District D Councilor Emily Izzo’s swearing in on Thursday evening. Unlike the other new City Councilors, Izzo will start serving before the start of the new term in January because she is filling a vacant seat. Her predecessor, Ken Woodland, stepped down from the Council in April to take a position with the state that prohibits him from serving on the council.

Government

Council Pleased with Manager Search Firm Despite Receiving Only One Application

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Watertown City HallCharlie Breitrose

The City Council backed the hiring a firm to help conduct the search for the next City Manager on Tuesday night and Council President Mark Sideris said he received good reviews from other communities that have used the firm. The Council unanimously voted to hire Community Paradigm Associates LLC, the only firm to apply. Councilors also approved the $14,000 bid for the work which includes getting input from the community, Watertown official elected and staff, recruiting candidates, assisting with candidate screening, hosting a community forum, and helping the Council to conduct interviews of finalists. After speaking to references and others familiar with the Community Paradigm Associates , Sideris said he believes they will do a good job in Watertown. “What this firm did is know what communities are looking for and find the candidates that are the best fit,” Sideris said.