Election 2021

Town Charter Changes Going on the Ballot, Info to be Sent to Residents

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The proposed changes to the Town Charter, the document that lays out how Watertown’s government operates, will be on the November ballot in the form of two questions. The items will appear as summaries on the ballot, but voters will receive detailed information about all the changes. On Sept. 2, the Town Council ironed out a few issues the Attorney General’s office had with the proposed Charter changes, and also discussed how the items should be on the ballot. Number of Ballot Questions

Initially, the proposal was to have three separate items: one on changing the official name from the “The City Known as the Town of Watertown” to “The City of Watertown,” one about the preamble proposed to be added at the beginning of the Charter, and a third covering “everything else,” or all the other changes to the document.

Government

Town Charter to be Discussed at Special Town Council Meeting

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Watertown Town Hall

The Town Council will discuss the Town Charter during a special meeting on Thursday evening. The agenda includes discussing any feedback from the Attorney General’s office on the propose changes to the document that lays out how the Watertown government works. They will also discuss any changes requested by the AG’s office. In addition, the Council will discuss how the proposed charter changes will be communicated to voters, including a mailing to voters. The changes will be on the Nov.

Daniel D'Amico

LETTER: Candidate Joins Race for Councilor At-Large to Represent the Town He Has Always Called Home

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Daniel D’Amico. My name is Daniel D’Amico, and I am excited to announce my candidacy for Watertown Town Councilor at-large. I would be humbled to serve as councilor for the town I have always called home. I grew up in the West End and now live near Coolidge Square. My parents were immigrants from Argentina and Italy, who chose Watertown to raise our family.

Government

Town Manager Receives Pay Raise in Final Year on the Job

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The Town Council gave Town Manager Michael Driscoll a raise, and some kind words as he nears the end of his long career in Watertown. On Tuesday, the Town Council approved a pair of 2 percent annual raises and an additional 1.5 percent performance bonus for Driscoll. The pay increases moved his salary from $210,000 in Fiscal Year 2020 to $217,415 in Fiscal Year 2021 (which ended on June 30, 2021), and $221,765 in the current Fiscal Year, FY 2022. In June, Driscoll announced he would retire at the end of January 2022 from the job he has held for 29 years, and after 45 years working for the Town of Watertown. To change the Town Manager’s salary the Town Council must pass an ordinance.

District B

LETTER: Candidate for District B Town Councilor Introduces Herself

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Watertown organizer, small business owner focusing on community conversations,granddaughter of Mexican immigrants, and parent of 2, running for Town Councilor for District B.

My name is Tiffany York and I am running for Watertown Councilor for District B. I am filled with many emotions as I step into this opportunity. I want to build off of the amazing work folks are doing here in Watertown and I want to represent District B with integrity and vulnerability. I realize many people in Watertown may not know who I am or what I am doing for our city or where I come from, so I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I started my relationship with Watertown in 2009, as I visited my now husband of 11 years, Eric. I remember the community we experienced in our building on Whites Ave., neighbors across the hall, new neighbors to laugh and cry with when a water leak affected three floors.

Government

Council Subcommittee Looks at Areas of Town Where Firearms Stores Could Operate

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Firearm stores would be allowed in the same areas where marijuana dispensaries and adult stores can go in Watertown under the proposal recommended by a Town Council subcommittee. On Monday night, the Economic Development and Planning Committee heard the language drafted by Town administrators for limiting areas where gun dealers and related businesses could go in Watertown. Several other communities in the area have looked at firearms store regulations, including Newton where elected officials looked at a firearms store ban but instead voted to restrict them to a few spots in the city. Councilors in Watertown thought it was a good time to look at the Town’s zoning regarding such shops. “The thought process we had, from a staff perspective, is to keep this pretty simple,” said Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon.

Election 2021

UPDATED: See Who Will be on the Watertown Town Election Ballot in November, Library Trustee Not Running

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Charlie Breitrose

(Originally posted July 28. Updated July 3o at 12:50 p.m.)

Town Clerk Janet Murphy certified the candidates for Watertown’s Town Election, to be held on Nov. 2, 2021. There will be six contested races in the Town Election: Councilor At-Large, Council Districts A, B and D, School Committee and Board of Library Trustees. Constance Henry announced July 30 that she will run for District D Councilor.

Election 2021

LETTER: Councilor At-Large Candidate Seeks to Serve His Hometown

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John Airasian declared his candidacy for Town Councilor At-Large. My name is John Airasian and I hope to secure your vote for the Councilor At Large Race on November 2, 2021. I have lived in Watertown my entire life and have seen first-hand the extraordinary changes this community has gone through. I am a graduate of Watertown Public Schools (’95) and co-owner of Eastern Clothing also located here in East Watertown. My wife, Jackie, and I met here, and we have three boys: Vincent (11), Michael (10) and Jack (9).