Government

Public Invited to Community Forum on Hiring New City Manager, Will be In-Person and Virtual

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The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown is pleased to announce a community forum will be held on January 12th to offer Watertown residents the opportunity to share their thoughts regarding the skills and experience the next City Manager should possess. The forum will be held on Wednesday, January 12th, at 6 p.m. in the Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber at the Administration Building, 149 Main Street. This will be a hybrid event, supporting both in-person and remote participation. “We are very interested in hearing recommendations regarding the skills and experience Watertown residents would like to see in their next City Manager,” said Mark Sideris, Council President. “It is critical that residents are an integral part of the City Manager selection process.”The City has hired the consulting firm Community Paradigm Associates to assist in the search process.

Government

Retirement Party for City Manager Postponed Due to COVID-19

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The retirement party planned for City Manager Michael Driscoll has been postponed due to the increase in COVID-19 cases. Driscoll announced his retirement in June, and will complete nearly 30 years as Town and City Manager of Watertown. He was first hired by Watertown in 1977. The City sent out the following announcement:

Given the current COVID-19 situation, City Council President Mark S. Sideris announced today that the planned January 29, 2022 Event honoring Michael J. Driscoll upon his retirement the end of January after serving our community for 45 years, with the last 29 years as Watertown’s City Manager, has been postponed. We will be sure to let you know the revised date of the Event honoring Mr. Driscoll once it has been determined.

Around Town

City Surveying Residents About Qualifications, Characteristics Desired in Next City Manager

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The process to hire the next City Manager for Watertown has begun, and residents can weigh in on what they think the most important qualifications and characteristics for the next chief executive of the City to have. They survey is being conducted online, and the City sent out the following message:

“Watertown residents, please participate in this citizen survey which is designed to help identify the desired experience and attributes of Watertown’s next City Manager. Your opinions will assist our recruitment consultant and the City Manager Screening Committee as they identify candidates and work to narrow the field to a small group of finalists to submit to the City Council.” The survey has five questions about the next City Manager:

Which professional qualifications are most importantWhich personal characteristics are most importantWhat challenges and opportunities are most critical for the City Manager to be able to addressThe most important thing a new City Manager should know about Watertown, andWhat other information the City Manager Search Committee should know in the search for a new City Manager

Access the public input survey by clicking here.

City Manager

A History of Watertown’s Town Managers, 1981 to the Present

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City Manager Michael Driscoll will retire in January after 29 years in the position. by DeWitt Henry

As Watertown prepares for Michael Driscoll’s retirement after his 29 years of service as Town Manager; and as the City Council works with the specialized consulting firm Community Paradigm Associates LLC to search for his successor, it may be useful to remember how Michael Driscoll himself was hired. I refer readers to https://www.watertown-ma.gov/1065/Town-Council-Yearbook as well as to the Watertown Public Library’s archives of The Watertown Sun and the Watertown Press along with the Town of Watertown’s Annual Reports for these decades. THE FIRST MANAGER, PETER BOYER (1981-86)

Watertown’s government changed in 1980 from a Town Meeting and Selectman form to the Town Council and Manager form. The first town manager search was conducted by a Council presided over by Louis Andrews, a former Selectman, and included Roberta Miller, Marilyn Devaney, John Diliberto, Wayne MacDonald, William Oates, Mark Basile, and Renato D. Ray Musetti.

Around Town

Residents Wanted to Serve on City Boards & Commissions, See the Openings

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Charlie Breitrose

City Manager Michael J. Driscoll announced he is seeking Watertown citizens interested in serving on the following City Boards, Commissions and Committees in accordance with Ordinance # 2007-46, an Ordinance on the Timing and Process of Appointments to City Boards, Commissions and Committees. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or other information concerning background or experience by email to Citymgr@watertown-ma.gov or City Manager’s Office, 149 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472. Board/Commission: Board of HealthVacancy/Term: Two Members, Three Year Term. Description: Provide for fulfillment of its duties under M.G.L. 111:5, 26-33 and other sections including enforcement of the state Sanitary and Environmental Codes, reporting diseases dangerous to the public health, and enforcement of other applicable state and local laws and regulations. The Board of Health determines the health needs of the community (and the health services available to the community) in terms of the size and characteristics of the population, specific health problems, and environmental conditions.