Watertown Council approves EV charger loan, manager raise and a series of maintenance and gift measures

The Watertown City Council on Monday approved a set of budget and administrative measures, including a $180,000 loan order to install electric vehicle charging stations, a salary increase for the city manager, a $90,000 transfer to cover skating-rink boiler replacements, and several gift acceptances and personnel confirmations.

Electric vehicle chargers: The council approved a loan order to borrow $180,000 to pay for the installation of multiple electric vehicle charging stations around the city, including two dual-port bollard chargers at the Nichols Ave lot, two at the Phillips 30 Common Street lot, two ABB TerraFast chargers at the skating rink, two bollard-mounted chargers at the police department lot, and potentially additional locations. City Manager George Proakis said the request combines amounts identified in the city’s FY24 and FY25 capital improvement plans and that the city expects to establish a charging-fee program to recoup electricity costs. "We are in the process of establishing a program where we will begin charging users of the stations for the electricity that they use," Proakis said. The council approved the loan order by roll call.

Manager salary adjustment: The council voted to increase the city manager’s salary, applying a 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment and a 1.5 percent performance component, moving the manager's base salary to $235,248 (effective July 1, 2024, per the motion text presented). The council said the adjustment reflects a review of comparable regional city-manager salaries.

Boilers and facility maintenance: The council approved a $90,000 transfer from the FY25 City Council Reserve to cover replacement of two failed boilers at the John A. Ryan Skating Arena. Denise Maroney, director of public buildings, told the council the failed Viessmann boilers were replaced with Lochinvar boilers and that the new units are expected to last "about 15 to 20 years." The transfer passed by roll call.

Easement and title matters: The council authorized the city manager to execute a release of a restriction on properties at 55–59 Melendy Avenue to clear title for ongoing redevelopment by the Watertown Housing Authority and associated partners. The council also approved an amendment to an easement agreement affecting Stanley Avenue and Manley Way (Lot 8) to permit installation of subsurface stormwater treatment infrastructure that benefits both the Manley Way site and adjacent city property.

Gifts and programs: The council approved acceptance and expenditure of $127,424 in donated funds for the Watertown Food Pantry (gifts and donors listed in the manager’s attachment to the agenda). The manager told the council the gifts covered donations collected between May 1, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2024, and the city auditor said future disclosures will be provided twice a year. The council also accepted a $1,000 donation for a pre-K summer program and acknowledged a $30,000 summer-camp tuition credit arrangement from Buckingham, Brown & Nichols (BB&N) intended for qualified Watertown residents; the city attorney and auditor described the BB&N arrangement as a voucher/credit process administered by the recreation department rather than an exchange of cash through a city account.

Appointments and confirmations: The council voted to confirm two new members and one reappointment to the Conservation Commission (Marilyn Salvas and Josh Cofer, appointments through Feb. 15, 2028; Rachel Danforth reappointed to Feb. 15, 2028) and approved Elizabeth Ashleman for the Human Rights Commission (term to April 1, 2027). A separate nomination for Jessica Malenfant to the Board of Health was routed to the Human Services Committee for consideration.

Votes at a glance

- $180,000 loan order for EV chargers (agenda item 8a): approved by roll call. Motion to borrow for installations at Nichols Ave, Phillips 30 Common St, skating rink, police headquarters and potential other locations; staff to develop user-fee structure for charging.

- City manager salary adjustment to $235,248 (agenda item 9): approved by roll call; 2.5% COLA + 1.5% performance component; effective date as presented in motion.

- Release of restriction, 55–59 Melendy Ave (agenda item 9a): approved by roll call; authorization for city manager to execute release to clear title for Watertown Housing Authority project.

- Easement amendment, Stanley Ave & Manley Way (agenda item 9b): approved by roll call to permit subsurface stormwater infrastructure in city easement area.

- $90,000 transfer to Public Buildings for skating-rink boiler replacement (agenda item 9c): approved by roll call; new boilers described as Lochinvar with expected 15–20 year life.

- Acceptance of gift funds $127,424 for Watertown Food Pantry (agenda item 9d): approved by roll call; covers donations over a 19-month period; future reporting to be semiannual.

- Acceptance of $1,000 gift for pre-K summer program (agenda item 9e): approved.

- Buckingham, Brown & Nichols tuition credits, $30,000 (agenda item 9f): acknowledged and approved as presented; city staff described this as a non-cash voucher/credit arrangement administered by the recreation department.

- Confirmations to boards and commissions: Conservation Commission appointments (Marilyn Salvas, Josh Cofer) and reappointment (Rachel Danforth), and Human Rights Commission appointment (Elizabeth Ashleman): all approved by recorded votes where taken.

Council members and city staff said they expect follow-up administrative work for many of these items, including drafting charging-station fee policies, administering the BB&N tuition-credit process through the recreation department, and executing documents to clear title or modify easements.