Government

Council President Lays Out Watertown’s Accomplishments & Future Challenges at Inauguration

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City Council President Mark Sideris gave his inaugural address on Jan. 2, 2026. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown’s elected officials face some key decisions that will impact the future of the City, including the future of Watertown Square and whether to build a new Middle School, said City Council President Mark Sideris, who also talked about the keys to successful governing of the City. Sideris spoke of what has been accomplished over the past few years, and the challenges facing the City Council, School Committee, and Library Board of Trustees during the Inauguration ceremony held on Jan. 2 at the Mosesian Center for the Arts.

Government

City Council, School Committee Bid Farewell to Departing Members

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City Councilor John Airasian, and School Committee member Lily Rayman-Read. Two Watertown elected officials served their final meetings in December, and each was bid farewell by their colleagues. City Councilor At-Large John Airasian departs the Council after two terms (four years), and Lily Rayman-Read finished two-four year terms on the School Commmittee. John Airasian

The City Council bid Airasian farewell at its Dec. 9 meeting with a proclamation in honor of his years of service to the community.

Elections

Top Vote-Getters Did Not Always Win the Most Precincts in the 2025 Watertown Election

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The winners in the Nov. 4, 2025 Watertown Election did not always win the most precincts, and voters in different parts of town preferred different candidates. City Councilor

In the Councilor At-Large race, the candidate with the highest vote total did not win the most precincts, and the support varied by section of town. Incumbent Tony Palomba won the most precincts, with six, but finished with the second most votes, 3,389. He won precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7.

Elections

Incumbents Returned to City Council, School Committee and Library Trustees, See Who Else Was Elected Tuesday

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There will be one new face on the City Council, one on the School Committee and two on the Board of Library Trustees after Tuesday’s Watertown Municipal Election. Watertown voters re-electedJohn Gannon with 3,418 votes, Tony Palomba (3,389), and Caroline Bays (3,030) in the race for Councilor At-Large, and first-time candidate Theo Offei (2,999) won a seat. Former Auditor Tom Tracy also challenged for a seat and got 2,232 votes. Vincent Piccirilli won another term with 1,042 votes for District C City Councilor. He defeated challenger Andres Guzman (307).

Elections

Election 2025 Guide: Watertown Voters Selecting City Council, School Committee, Library Trustee Seats

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Charlie Breitrose

All voters in Watertown will have three contested races to vote in, selecting members of the City Council, the School Committee, and the Board of Library Trustees. Residents of District C will also be casting votes for their district City Councilor. The Watertown Municipal Election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Half the polling locations have changed in 2025. See more details below.

Elections

LETTER: Group of Residents Endorses School Committee Candidate

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Dear Members of the Watertown Community,

We enthusiastically endorse Sheila Krishnan for Watertown School Committee. Having lived in Watertown for over a decade with two elementary-aged children in WPS, Sheila is a dedicated and involved community member. We stand behind Sheila for her commitment to student belonging and safety, educational access, and post-secondary pathways. As a dedicated public health-trained higher education professional and active Watertown citizen, we are confident that she will add an important voice to the Watertown School Committee to advance student learning, well-being, and success in our public schools. 

As parents of caregivers of elementary, middle, and high school students in Watertown Public Schools, we stand behind the district’s mission to create “an equitable, challenging, and innovative learning environment where everyone belongs and every student is empowered to shape the world around them.” We hope that each of our students builds lasting friendships and community with others, grows academically and socially, and goes on to actively contribute in meaningful ways to our world. If elected to the school committee, we unequivocally trust that Sheila would advocate for our children, listen to our and others’ needs and perspectives, collaborate with others and make decisions that advance the district’s mission.

Elections

LETTER: Why I Think You Should Vote for My MOM!   

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Dear Watertown!  

As the youngest of four kids , I’ve spent my whole life watching my mom, Amy Donohue, give her time and energy to the Watertown Public Schools. Education has always been number one in our house, whether it was volunteering on the PTO, helping with the Watertown Education Foundation events, or donating to every youth group and sports team you can think of. When I was younger, I used to roll my eyes because she seemed to know everyone. Every teacher, every coach, every parent.

Elections

Early Voting in the 2025 Watertown Election Starts Tuesday, See Who’s Running

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown residents cast their ballots at Watertown City Hall, the site of early voting for the 2025 Watertown Eleciton. The Watertown City Election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, but registered voters can participate in Early In-Person Voting at City Hall beginning Tuesday, Oct. 28. Races include City Councilor At-Large, District C City Council, School Committee, and Library Trustees.