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Council adopts gifts policy and names Watertown Current as newspaper of record
Summary
Council approved a governance policy allowing staff to accept gifts up to $100,000 on behalf of the city and designated the Watertown Current (McQuillan Creative Group) as the city's newspaper of record; publisher Troy McQuillan described launching the local paper and staffing plans.
The Watertown City Council approved a governance policy (G P‑02) allowing city staff, under defined procedures, to accept gifts and donations up to $100,000 on behalf of the city. City Manager Steger clarified these are gifts to the city for public facilities or programs (for example, park benches or arena donations), not to individuals.
Council discussed the efficiency gains of streamlining donation acceptance; Councilman Hoyer said the policy should allow staff to respond more quickly and was generally supportive. The motion passed on a council vote.
Separately, the council designated the Watertown Current (McQuillan Creative Group Inc.) as the city's newspaper of record. Troy McQuillan, publisher, described launching a local paper after regional Gannett closures and said his organization now employs a local staff and will provide notice services. City staff estimated the city spends roughly $25,000 per year on required legal notices; McQuillan said the Watertown Current will prepare affidavits of publication at no charge, and staff said the change should improve local coordination on deadlines.
