Watertown Public Safety & Welfare Committee Meeting | October 7, 2026

The City of Watertown Public Safety & Welfare Committee met on October 7, 2026. The committee discussed street safety and traffic changes, including converting South Sixth Street from one-way to two-way traffic by May 2027 and removing parking on the west side of the block between Milwaukee Street and Western Avenue. The motion passed. Engineering estimated the conversion could be completed with signage changes at negligible cost; if reconstruction of the narrower block is required, the estimated cost is approximately $75,000, excluding potential water, sanitary, or stormwater work. The committee also approved a change to South Eighth Street parking that would allow parking in four spaces by the church on Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon, subject to an ordinance amendment, and approved stop signs at specified Bailey Street intersections. Staff estimated stop signs at approximately $100 each, excluding installation time. Special-event permits were also considered, including one with estimated city charges of $58; the transcript does not clearly capture all related motions or vote details.

The committee directed the city attorney and police department to review the existing e-bike and e-scooter ordinance and identify potential gaps, and directed staff to look for existing signage options; both motions passed. Members also discussed a possible residency ordinance for people on the sex offender registry, but took no action. No new RFPs, vendor selections, or contract awards were identified. The transcript referenced a prior city-funded study by RA Smith of downtown one-way streets, but provided no current procurement decision regarding that consultant.