Elections

Watertown Housing Group Hosting Candidate Discussion for City Council Hopefuls

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Charlie Breitrose

The following announcement was provided by Housing for All Watertown:

To inform voters on housing issues during the upcoming Municipal Election, Housing for All Watertown has collected detailed questionnaires from all eleven candidates running for City Council this November, including at-large and district council candidates, in both contested races and uncontested races. We’re grateful to the candidates for providing thoughtful responses to our questions about their vision for housing in Watertown, how they will support affordable housing and in-fill development, what they would do to streamline permitting for homeowners, and much more. We will also be holding a housing-focused At-Large Candidate forum on Oct. 26 from 2-3:30pm at the Watertown Free Public Library. We’re excited to hear the At-Large City Council Candidates expand on their views and look forward to a lively discussion.

Government

Three Watertown Football Players Honored for Helping to Catch a Drunken Driver

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(Screenshot from Boston 25 News)

Three sharp-eyed and quick thinking Watertown High School football players were honored for their effort that helped police locate and arrest a drunken driver. On Oct. 14, the City Council approved a proclamation honoring Riaz Khan, Joel Montoya, and Boran Akisik. On Sept. 25, the three were on their way home after practice witnessed a hit and run incident at the intersection of Palfrey and Pearl streets.

Elections

LETTER: Former Council President Endorses Candidate for Councilor At-Large

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Dear Editor,

Last Wednesday, Oct. 8, Theo Offei, was the Guest on the Eye on Watertown Podcast. I was very impressed with his platform that emphasizing and incorporating important issues that involve all constituents of Watertown rather than a few. As an original member of the Charter Commission that established the current management style; Manager – Council under which we are operating, we set up Districts and At-Large Positions. The Purpose of the Districts were to allow lesser- known Candidates to have a smaller field in order to get known; elected and later vie for an At-Large Position; thus, having new faces. Theo could have taken this District Road to being a member of the Council.

Government

Budget Forecast: State Legislation Will Have Big Impact on Watertown’s FY27 City Budget

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For several years, Watertown’s City has operated comfortably on a budget built on the 2.5 percent property tax increase allowed by the State and the added tax revenue from new developments. A mixture of economic uncertainty and the unknown of whether the State Legislature will approve Watertown’s tax relief request means residents could face a major tax increase next year. City Manager George Proakis presented the Preliminary Fiscal Year 2027 Budget to the City Council on Monday night, which has total forecast expenditures of $226.2 million and includes a shortfall of at least $3.6 million. He also told the Council that his aim is to “maintain options and flexibility” in the City’s budget. He stressed the budget figure is an estimate, adding that the numbers are based on the approval of the Home Rule Petition submitted by Watertown to the Legislature.

Elections

LETTER: City Councilor At-Large Candidate Endorsed by Watertown Resident

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Dear Editor,

I write to formally endorse Theo Offei for Councilor At-Large. As a lifelong resident who graduated from the high school in the 90s, I have seen Watertown dramatically change and continue to do so. The Watertown of 2025 requires leaders who reflect our community’s diversity, energy, and forward-thinking. 

Anchored in understanding the power of community and importance of belonging and representation Theo brings a fresh, inclusive, and visionary approach to city governance. A father in his 30s, Theo was born in Ghana, raised in Italy and became a U.S. Citizen in 2020, making him the embodiment of change. With experience in the tech sector, venture capital, real estate development and construction management, Theo’s professional background gave him a strong grasp of budgeting and finance, housing policy, and infrastructure planning. As Vice Chair of the Resident Advisory Committee he has helped staff 24 boards and commissions, which has shaped the city in many ways. The role has provided insight into city operations and residents’ challenges.

Elections

Watch the Video from the District C Councilor Candidate Forum

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The candidates for District C City Councilor appeared on a forum at the Watertown Cable studios on Oct. 9. See how to watch the replay of the event, which was co-hosted by WCA-TV and Watertown News. Incumbent Vincent Piccirilli and challenger Andres Guzman appeared on the live broadcast from WCA-TV Thursday night. They answered questions about Watertown Square, the winter parking ban, improving transportation, and more.

Elections

City Council At-Large Candidates Appearing at Housing for All Watertown Forum

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The following announcement was provided by Housing for All Watertown:

Please join Housing for All Watertown (HAW) as we hold an in-depth conversation on housing policy with the At-Large City Council Candidates on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. The forum will take place from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Watertown Savings Bank Room at the Watertown Free Public Library. Due to a scheduling conflict, we will be unable to host the candidates for the other contested City Council race, in District C. Please see the forum lineup below. 2025 Candidate Forum Lineup

2 p.m. – Welcome and introductions 

2:15 p.m. – Candidates for Councilor At Large: Caroline Bays (Incumbent), John Gannon (Incumbent), Theo Offei, Tony Palomba (Incumbent), Tom Tracy

3:15 p.m. – Closing

This event is free and open to the public.  For more information on Housing for All Watertown go to: https://www.housingforallwatertown.org/

Elections

See What the City Councilor At-Large Hopefuls Spoke About During the Candidate Forum

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The five candidates for City Councilor At-Large appeared at the candidate forum hosted by Watertown News and Watertown Cable. The replay of the forum is available from WCA-TV. The candidates running for the four spots on the Council are Tom Tracy, Tony Palomba, Theo Offei, John Gannon, and Caroline Bays. They spoke about a variety of subjects, including property taxes, the future of Watertown Square, what to do with Watertown Middle School, housing, and City staffing priorities. Click here to watch the video: http://vodwcatv.org/internetchannel/show/4134?site=1

More Forums

Thursday night, the candidates running for District C City Councilor will take appear in a live broadcast from the WCA-TV studio.