Council approves $120,000 for police pay raise
Watertown City Council approved $120,000 to fund a police contract pay increase and raised the senior property tax work-off cap to $2,000.
Select Board · Meeting of September 22, 2026
Watertown City Council approved $120,000 to fund a police contract pay increase and raised the senior property tax work-off cap to $2,000. The council voted 8-0 to transfer the funds from the fiscal 2027 reserve after the city manager said a wage-reopener clause in the police patrol union's contract was triggered this year. Councilors also voted 8-0 to let eligible seniors work off up to $2,000 in property taxes, up from $1,500, for 125 volunteer hours, capped at 10 participants citywide.
In a 7-0 roll call, the council confirmed Antonio Moley to the Board of Election Commissioners through April 1, 2030; Councilor Palumba said she was "a little unsettled" that Moley cited the secretary of the commonwealth's certification of the 2020 election rather than a personal affirmation. Council President Mark Sideris announced plans to recruit six residents for a new Charter Review Committee requiring council confirmation.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,439 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of September 22, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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