Public Records Requests

Guidelines to assist persons seeking access to public records in the custody of the City of Watertown


The Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66 & Chapter 4, Section 7(26)) provides that every person has a right to access public information.

In order to assist members of the public with accessing public records in the custody of the City of Watertown, the following information is provided:

The following individuals have been appointed as Records Access Officers:

City of Watertown – Records Access Officers

City Hall:
Noelle Gilligan - City Clerk
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA  02472
Phone: 617-715-8686
publicrecordrequests@watertown-ma.gov

City Clerk - Public Records Request Form

Watertown Public Schools:
Kathleen Desmarais – Director of Student Services
30 Common Street
Watertown, MA  02472
Phone: 617-926-7700
Kathleen.desmarais@watertown.k12.ma.us

Watertown Police Department:
Catalina Gonzales – Records Clerk
552 Main Street
Watertown, MA  02472
Phone: 617-972-6527
Cgonzalez@police.watertown-ma.gov 

Watertown Fire Department:
Captain Paul LaFauci – Fire Inspector
99 Main Street
Watertown, MA  0272
Phone: 617-972-6510
plafauci@fire.watertown-ma.gov

Fire - Public Records Request Form


Lieutenant David Meagher – Training/EMS
99 Main Street
Watertown, MA  0272
Phone: 617-972-6516
dmeagher@fire.watertown-ma.gov

Ambulance Records and Billing Requests (PDF)

Record Requests Procedures: 

  • Although not required, requests for public records should be submitted in writing in order to ensure that the Office accurately and completely responds to your request.
  • A request for public records should include a reasonable description of specific records being requested.
  • Requests can be submitted during normal business hours:
  • Under some circumstances, the City may assess a reasonable fee for the production of public records, (as outlined in the MGL c.66 and c.4, §7(26))

Public Records maintained by the City include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Accounts Payable – Vendor and billing information
  • Annual City Reports
  • Audits
  • Budgets
  • Building Permits
  • Business Certificates
  • Contracts
  • Election Results
  • Incident Reports
  • Liquor Licensing
  • Listings of Businesses
  • Payroll Records
  • Minutes and Agendas of Boards and Committees
  • Real Estate/Personal Property Taxes
  • Real Estate Assessments
  • Street Listings
  • City By-Laws (General and Zoning)
  • City Council Meeting Warrants and Minutes
  • City Policies
  • Voter Lists
  • Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board Decisions

There may be charges involved with a Public Request for labor and production costs. A reasonable estimate will be given prior to starting the work.

The City of Watertown’s website also contains many records that are available for public inspection without requiring a request to the Records Access Officers. Please click here: Documents | Watertown, MA - Official Website (watertown-ma.gov)

General information about the Public Records Law and Public Records Requests can be found in the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s “A Guide to the Massachusetts Public Records Law”, January 2017 edition, which can be found here: www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/prepdf/guide.pdf.