Government

Hours of Watertown City Hall, Senior Center & More Changing After Council Vote

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Hours will be changing for Watertown City departments in City Hall, the Parker Annex, along with the Senior Center, after a City Council vote on Tuesday. These facilities will be open later on Tuesdays and close earlier on Fridays throughout the year. City Manager George Proakis said at a previous meeting that the change in hours would help the city recruit employees, and that many surrounding communities have early closings on Fridays. One area of concern was resident’s ability to pay bills at the Treasurer’s office on Fridays. “There have been discussions about how it affects particular employees, and how it impacts the public as a whole,” Proakis said.

Government

City Offices, DPW, Senior Center Closing Early on Good Friday

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The City of Watertown announced that some municipal facilities will close early on Good Friday. The City release said:

Please be aware that the Department of Public Works office is open at 7:00 AM and closes at noon, and City Hall and Senior Center are open at 8:30 AM and are closed at 1 PM, in observance of Good Friday on Friday, March 29, 2024.

Government

City Considering Going to Half Days on Fridays All Year Long

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

City Manager George Proakis asked the City Council to consider changing the hours for City Hall, along with the Senior Center, to half days on Fridays because it would help with recruitment of employees and added that Friday afternoons are slow for City departments. The proposal would impact City Hall, the Parker Annex and the Senior Center, and would make the hours they are open to the public 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays; and Fridays 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Typically, Watertown City Hall has hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday most of the year, and during the summer it is open until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and closes at 2 p.m. on Fridays. Many city and town governments have half days on Fridays for the entire year, Proakis said. City officials examined open hours for neighboring communities, and those communities that are comparable to Watertown. They found that 12 of the 18 communities have full-year half-day Fridays.

Around Town

Restoration Underway for Historic Paintings from Watertown’s City Hall

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1930 geographical painting on treatment table at studio, in bottom section of its foam-core box. (Courtesy of the Historical Society of Watertown)

A group from Watertown recently visited the studio of the art restoration specialist hired to refurbish historic paintings that normally hang in the main entryway in Watertown’s City Hall. Joyce Kelly of the Historical Society of Watertown provided the following account:

The geographical paintings that usually flank the foyer at the main entrance to City Hall are currently in the studio of conservator Louise Orsini being refurbished. In 2022, the Historical Society of Watertown received a grant from the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) for the conservation of the two geographical paintings in the foyer of City Hall. The 5.5 x 7.5 foot paintings were installed when the building opened in 1932.

Around Town

See How Presidents Day Will Impact City Facilities, Trash Pickup

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cliparting.com

Monday is Presidents Day, and it will impact Watertown City Hall, the Library and Senior Center, as well as trash and recycling collection all week. The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

Watertown City Hall, Senior Center, Department of Public Works Office, and Watertown Free Public Library, will be closed on Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 19, 2024. Please note that there is a one day delay for trash and recycling pickup this week.

Government

New Year’s Holiday Hours for the City Departments and Trash Schedule

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Hours at city facilities, such as the Library, Senior Center and City Hall, along with trash and recycling pickup will be impacted by the New Year’s Day holiday. See the announcement from the City below. Watertown City Hall and Senior Center are closing at noon on Friday, December 29, 2023 and will be closed on New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1, 2024. The Department of Public Works Office will be closing at 11 AM on Friday, December 29, 2023 and will be closed on New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1, 2024. The Library is closed on New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1, 2024.

Around Town

Trash & Recycling Days for Christmas Week, City Hall Hours

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Watertown DPWWatertown’s trash and recycling toters. The trash and recycling pick up, as well as hours for some City Hall departments will be impacted by the Christmas holiday. The City of Watertown sent out the following information:

Please be aware that due to the Christmas holiday on Monday, December 25, 2023, the trash and recycling pickup schedule for the week is Tuesday, December 26 through Saturday, December 20, 2023. A holiday postpones trash and recycling collection by one day. 

2024 Watertown Trash & Recycling Calendar Out, Includes 1 More Yard Waste Collection

City Hall Hours

Please be aware that on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, the Assessing, City Clerk, and Treasurer/Collector offices at City Hall will be open from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (not 7:00 PM). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the department’s office.

Government

Some City Departments Will be On the Move within City Hall or to Parker Annex

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Photo by City of WatertownThe City of Watertown will move multiple municipal departments to the Parker Annex Building on Watertown Street. City Hall has been the center of municipal government in Watertown for nearly a century, and it will continue to be filled with local government offices but some will be moving across the Charles River to the recently reacquired Parker Annex Building. Last week, City Manager George Proakis presented his plan to rearrange City departments. Parker Annex

The first department to move across the river is Public buildings, Proakis said, and within the next two months he hopes the Information Technology (IT) Department will join them. First IT will be in a temporary location on the second floor before moving to a permanent spot on the third floor.