Watertown Council Approves $3.75 Million in Capital Transfers, Advances Noise Ordinance

WATERTOWN — June 9, 2026 — Watertown City Council unanimously approved $3.75 million in capital fund transfers Tuesday, advancing the middle school design phase and accelerating several deferred projects. The council voted 8-0 to move $3 million into the middle school feasibility design account, funding a design development phase that architect AI3 has priced at $2.92 million, with the remainder covering project management contingency through Vertex; Council President Mark Sedaris said cost estimates from two independent estimators are expected before the building committee in July or August. A separate $754,600 reserve transfer funds accelerated capital work including pickleball courts at Filippello Park — moved up three years from fiscal 2030 to fiscal 2027 — rink deck replacements at Moxley and Casey parks, library carpet, and a police uninterrupted power supply battery. The council also appropriated $3,944,015 in Community Preservation Act funds for fiscal year 2027, placed a proposed noise ordinance on the agenda for a first reading after months of Rules and Ordinances Committee work, and approved a five-year server lease at $40,543.59 annually. City Manager George Proakis outlined a proposed contract extension carrying a 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment and 2 percent merit increase, with a public hearing scheduled in two weeks.