Watertown City Council (Tuesday October 27, 2026)

City Council
October 27, 2026
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AI Disclaimer: Summaries and transcripts above were created by various AI tools. By their nature, these tools will produce mistakes and inaccuraies. Links to the official meeting recordings are provided for verification. If you find an error, please report it to somervillecivicpulse at gmail dot com.

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Executive Summary

At its regular meeting on October 27, 2026, the Watertown City Council approved loan orders totaling over $6 million for infrastructure, including $2.6 million for inflow and infiltration sewer rehabilitation, $2.65 million for water system improvements, and $780,000 for sewer system design and construction. The Council also adopted a $2.91 million fiscal year 2027 budget amendment, approved a Home Rule petition for special legislation preserving the property tax exemption for the Willow Park affordable housing redevelopment, and initiated a zoning amendment to remove 6 Riverside Street from the Watertown Square transit-oriented development overlay. In addition, the Council received updates on the newly renovated Council Chambers, the municipal therapeutic recreation partnership with Belmont, and carbon storage research at Whitney Hill.

Executive Session

  • The Council moved to enter executive session to discuss strategy concerning collective bargaining and litigation with the Watertown Firefighters Association.
  • The motion passed 8-0 on a roll call vote.

Public Forum

  • A member of the public addressed the Council regarding the Watertown Square redesign, urging the city to pause the project and review the historical facade improvements outlined in the city's Watertown Square Design Handbook: A Guide to Facade Improvements.
  • The speaker urged the Watertown Historical Commission to intervene to "stop the wrecking ball in Watertown Square and let's improve the facades and bring back some proud history to this wonderful city."

Proclamation Recognizing Victor Tarozian

  • Council President Mark S. Sideris presented a proclamation honoring Mr. Victor Tarozian, owner of Belmont Auto Service, for outstanding civic generosity and support to Watertown residents experiencing transportation hardships.
  • Over the past year, Mr. Tarozian partnered with the Watertown Police Department on at least four occasions to donate a vehicle, provide free repairs, and maintain vehicles for vulnerable families.
  • The Council voted to accept the proclamation. The ayes have it.

Council President's Report

  • City Manager Evaluation Process: Council President Sideris outlined the annual evaluation process and scoring rubric for the City Manager, comprising six general criteria and six specific fiscal year criteria scored on a 1-to-5 scale. Council evaluations are due by Thanksgiving weekend for a composite presentation in December. City Manager George J. Proakis confirmed the evaluation is focused on performance and guidance, noting it is not tied to salary adjustments due to his existing contract.
  • General Election Update: Over 6,100 mail ballots were requested and 3,171 returned as of 3:00 PM, with 1,106 early in-person voters recorded. Strict polling place security and boundaries are in place for the November 3 election.
  • Council Chamber Renovations: President Sideris thanked the Public Buildings department, City Hall staff, Project Manager Joanna Hand, and Massachusetts Correction Industries (MassCor) for the comprehensive renovation of the Council Chamber, which includes new ADA-compliant doors, energy-efficient LED lighting, under-floor wiring, and custom wood furniture constructed through MassCor's vocational training program.

Loan Order for Infiltration and Inflow Reduction and Sewer Rehabilitation (Item 10A)

  • The Council considered a loan order for $2,600,000 under the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Infiltration and Inflow Local Financial Assistance Program (Phases 13 and 15) for Project Area 5.
  • DPW leadership clarified that local collection systems do not feature above-ground pump stations or tanks, and that visible street boxes are MWRA metering stations.
  • The loan order passed 9-0 on a roll call vote.

Loan Order for Water System Improvements (Item 10B)

  • The Council reviewed a loan order for $2,651,000 under the MWRA Local Water System Assistance Program to fund water distribution upgrades, pipeline rehabilitation, and water quality improvements.
  • The loan order passed 9-0 on a roll call vote.

Loan Order for Sewer System Improvements (Item 10C)

  • The Council heard a proposed loan order appropriating $780,000 in municipal borrowing for design, construction, and oversight of sewer system improvements outlined in the FY 2027–2031 Capital Improvement Program.
  • Public Works officials explained ongoing aggressive sewer lining efforts along Spring Street and related trunk lines to minimize raw sewage infiltration into storm drains, working toward eliminating combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into the Charles River.
  • The loan order passed 9-0 on a roll call vote.

Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Amendment (Item 10D)

  • City Manager Proakis presented a $2,913,185 FY 2027 revenue and expenditure budget amendment funded by $633,378 in new property tax growth, $1,250,000 from overlay surplus, $740,000 in additional investment income, and $289,807 in revised state aid.
  • Key appropriations and transfers include:
    1. $148,500 to the School Department for custodial staffing and unanticipated vocational education costs.
    2. $121,000 to Public Buildings for an HVAC specialist to maintain municipal net-zero facilities.
    3. $150,000 for a Community Development and Planning zoning consultant.
    4. $217,000 to the City Council Reserve for building study implementations.
    5. $500,000 to the Capital Projects Public Building Fund for City Hall renovations.
    6. $500,000 transfer to the Senior Center Stabilization Fund.
    7. $1,219,111 transfer to the Watertown Square Stabilization Fund to mitigate future borrowing deficits.
  • The budget amendment passed 9-0 on a roll call vote.

Order Allocating the Property Tax Levy Among Property Classes for FY 2027 (Item 11A)

  • The Council conducted a first reading on the proposed order allocating the tax levy among commercial, open space, and residential property classes, including the residential exemption, with formal assessor presentations scheduled for the following meeting.

Special Legislation Petition on Tax Status for Willow Park (Item 11B)

  • The Council considered a resolution authorizing a Home Rule petition to the Massachusetts General Court allowing the Watertown Housing Authority and Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) redevelopment of Willow Park to retain tax-exempt status following transfer to a limited partnership entity.
  • City officials confirmed the property will continue providing Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) to the city, preserving development capital for long-term operations, reserves, and green infrastructure.
  • The resolution was approved. The ayes have it.

Committee on Human Services Report and Housing Trust Appointment (Item 12A)

  • The committee reported on its interview with Zoe Weinrobe regarding her reappointment to the Watertown Affordable Housing Trust.
  • The Council voted to reappoint Zoe Weinrobe to the Watertown Affordable Housing Trust for a term expiring June 30, 2029. The ayes have it.

Committee on Climate and Energy Report on Whitney Hill Carbon Study (Item 12B)

  • The committee reported on a carbon sequestration study conducted by the Minerva Action Group on the 10-acre Whitney Hill Forest, which determined that large mature trees (24+ inches in diameter) store over 36% of the forest's carbon, highlighting the preservation priority of mature canopy over replacement saplings.
  • The Council voted to authorize Council President Sideris to send a letter to the School Committee encouraging the formal use of Whitney Hill Forest as an outdoor educational laboratory. The ayes have it.

Committee on Education and School System Matters Report and Cable Board Appointment (Item 12C)

  • The committee reported on its review of the appointment of Elaine Mello to the Watertown Cable Access Corporation Board of Directors.
  • The Council voted to reappoint Elaine Mello to the Watertown Cable Access Corporation Board of Directors for a term expiring September 15, 2029. The ayes have it.

Demolition Delay Ordinance Amendments and Zoning Amendment for 6 Riverside Street (Items 12D & 11C)

  • The Committee on Economic Development and Planning submitted a comprehensive report encompassing four working sessions on proposed revisions to Chapter 153 (Demolition of Historic Buildings) of the Watertown Code of Ordinances.
  • Zoning Ordinance Amendment: The Council voted to initiate a zoning ordinance amendment to remove 6 Riverside Street (the historic Rev. Convers Francis House) from the Watertown Square by-right transit-oriented development overlay district. The ayes have it.
  • Demolition Delay Ordinance: The Council voted to advance the draft amendments to Chapter 153 to a first reading (Item 11C), scheduling it for a future published public hearing. The ayes have it.

Communications from the City Manager (Items 14A, 14B, 14C)

  • Reappointments of John Haas, Naomi Ridge, and Cindy Wentz to the Commission on Disability (terms expiring November 1, 2029) were referred to the Committee on Human Services.
  • The appointment of Andrew Horowitz to the Conservation Commission (term expiring February 15, 2029) was referred to the Committee on Public Works.
  • Reappointments of Ellen Menounos (term expiring November 15, 2029) and Laurie Murphy to the Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee were submitted for confirmation.

Update on Therapeutic Recreation Services (Item 14D)

  • Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Eva Burbridge delivered a six-month update on the joint Watertown-Belmont municipal therapeutic recreation partnership.
  • Highlights include expanded activities for the Watertown-Belmont Sport Program, individualized intake assessments for disability accommodation, and the planned launch of the "Next Adventure" program targeted at teens and young adults.

City Manager and Councilor Announcements

  • The Department of Public Works will host a recycling collection and Swap Shop event on November 7 at the Recycle Center.
  • An informational community panel titled "Access to Care: Disability Community Panel" is scheduled for November 4 at the Watertown Free Public Library.
  • A community meeting regarding the redevelopment of 9 Galen Street is scheduled for October 29 at 6:30 PM at the Parker Annex.
  • The Fire Department will unveil its new second ambulance (Medic 2) on November 1 at 11:00 AM at the Main Fire Station.
  • Council President Sideris reminded the public that the annual State of the City address will take place on October 28 at 6:00 PM in the Council Chamber.

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Last updated: Oct 30, 2026

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