Around Town

See the Top Stories of 2015 from Watertown News

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Big issues seemed to be everywhere you looked around Watertown in 2015, with new developments, the firefighter contract, the opioid epidemic and the Town Election, plus Watertown athletes enjoyed great success. Development
Rising above all the major issues this year was development. A number of major projects were proposed in town, many of which were approved. In January, the controversial East Watertown CVS got approved. In June, the major apartment complex on Arsenal Street, Elan Watertown, received approval – a project that went through the town’s new Design Standards and Guidelines.

Election 2015

LETTER: Outgoing School Committee Member Reflects on His Term

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Dear Watertown,

Four years ago, I was elected because residents wanted a change from what had come before and they wanted results in our schools. It is a humbling experience to be elected and entrusted with making positive changes to the lives and education of our students. I took that obligation very seriously then and I still do. After being sworn in, I mentioned to my wife and friends that they would not see a lot of me during the first half of 2012 due to the challenges facing the district. I focused all of my efforts on working with my Committee colleagues to resolve the immediate challenges facing us then:

Settling the teacher’s contract and rebuilding those relationships.

Election 2015

LETTER: Councilor Thanks Supporters, Shows Admiration for Fellow Candidates

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Dear Supporters,

I write to express my sincere appreciation to the volunteers, donors and voters who made it possible for me to win re-election to the Town Council. We came in a very strong second, winning six of the 12 precincts. It was a wonderful showing – thank you. Election campaigns are challenging endeavors that require a committed campaign committee, a dedicated team of volunteers and donors and, of course, a willing group of voters who decided to place their trust in a candidate. Fortunately I had all three!

Election 2015

LETTER: District C Councilor Says Thanks, Looks Forward to Continuing Work

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To the editor:

I want to thank the District C voters for re-electing me to serve for another term as their Town Councilor. Over the past eight years I have worked hard to represent both my constituents in District C as well as all of Watertown residents, and I look forward to continuing that effort with renewed vigor. I am grateful to the many volunteers, friends, and my family for the effort they put into the campaign. My success would not have been possible without their help. I remain committed to finding the best solutions through analysis, teamwork and building consensus, and to our shared vision for Watertown as a vibrant, diverse, safe community with pretty tree-lined streets and great schools.

Election 2015

LETTER: District B Councilor-Elect Thanks Supporters, Looks Forward to Serving

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To all District B Watertown voters and supporters:

I wanted to make sure you know how grateful I am for all the support I received in both the preliminary and general election campaigns for District B Town Councillor. To everyone I had the privilege to talk with while campaigning, thank you for sharing your thoughts, your energy, and your steady encouragement to run for office. Over the past several months, I encountered a great deal of hope for the future and an ongoing pride in Watertown, both for what it has been, is, and for what it can become. As I reflect on the campaign efforts, and as I look forward to the honor of serving as your town councilor, I remain filled with gratitude and humility, as I continue to prepare to represent you. I value your efforts to make our town the best it can be, and I look forward to staying in touch.

Election 2015

LETTER: Council Candidate Has Many Thank Yous to Send Out

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To the Editor,

Regarding the recent local election, I would like to thank:

Rosemary Caouette, my campaign treasurer and her husband Joe, past VFW Post #1105 Commander, for their outstanding support and confidence in me
Watertown Fire Department, for their holding campaign signs supporting me in Coolidge Square on many Saturday mornings and election day and their total support of me and my campaign
Veterans Carl Miller, Gordon Brown, Phil DeVincentis, Ralph Holmberg, and Bud Krapf for holding signs for me
Emilio and Maria Leone and Bill McMahon for holding signs for me
Shutt Marine Detachment, for their use of their facility for my kick-off event and post-election party
The 45 percent of District A voters who voted for me, who determined that there was not one “clear choice” in this election
Emilio’s Restaurant, Green Peapod, Whale Laundromat, Deluxe Town Diner and Andrea’s House
of Pizza – all Coolidge Square businesses, for allowing me to post campaign signs in their
windows
The 26 residents of District A who allowed me to post campaign signs on their lawns
The many residents who conversed with me as I visited hundreds of homes in the district
passing out flyers and listening to their issues. There were many issues in this election. Patryce Georgopoulos for allowing me to partner with her at the Shutt Marine Detachment for a post-election event

As I quickly found out, it takes financing to run a campaign. A big thank you to the Watertown Fire Union Local #1347, Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts and the many supporters who contributed to my campaign. It is important to encourage and support many candidates to run for office, so that voters have a choice among a variety of candidates.

Election 2015

LETTER: Councilor At-Large Sends Out Thanks Regarding the Election

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Dear Editor:

Thank you to the voters for returning me to the Town Council for another two-year term. 

I look forward to working with the other councilors, new and returning, to implement the Comprehensive Plan, and manage (and reduce) the large number of cars that travel on our streets every day; a concern we all heard repeatedly while campaigning. The school committee and library trustee races enlivened this election season and the questionnaires and interviews and forums from the media and citizen groups showed that it takes more than candidates to make democracy work. Thanks to all who participated.  

Susan Falkoff
Councilor-at-Large

Election 2015

LETTER: Town Councilor Thanks East Enders for Support During Election

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To the Editor,

It is a distinct honor and privilege to be entering my sixth consecutive term as your District A, East End, Town Councilor. I offer my gratitude to you, the voters of the East End, for acknowledging my efforts for neighborhood quality of life and service to our community. A special thank you to my Town-wide supporters who spoke of my endeavors to their East End friends. Transparency and accountability in Town government are our common goals. My heartfelt appreciation is also extended to Mark Sideris, John S. Airasian, Paul DerBoghosian, Anthony Donato, Joan Merritt Kraus, Harry Parsekian and Ruth Thomasian for taking the initiative to publicly offer your endorsement for my re-election.