Top 5 Watertown Political Stories of 2011

Political stories were aplenty in Watertown in 2011, including a double helping of special elections, Walmart and teachers contracts.

1. The first special election of the year was called to fill the 10th Middlesex House seat after . Watertown Town Councilor in April, in which he faced candidates from Newton and Waltham, and despite having only one precinct in his hometown. He then in May against Republican James Dixon.
2. A major political issue arose out of a what cannot even be called a proposed development. organized by a group against the proposal. The proposal then became an issue in November's town election, as , despite Mandel running a two-week write-in campaign.
3. The Second Suffolk and Middlesex State Senate, which represents Watertown, became open when. The second special election ensued, and and were among the four candidates vying for the senate seat. In the end, , and appears a shoe-in with no opposition in the special election on Jan. 10.
4. The School Committee has faced the question of when the teachers' contact will be signed since April, when the board . The teachers union filed a complaint with the state . Parents filled the high school auditorium in March, . The teachers have , but it appears 2011 will end with no new contract.
5. West End residents filled meeting rooms on several occasions in 2011 to oppose the proposed 200-plus unit apartment complex on Waltham Street. The project was . Part of the proposal includes , near the Waltham-line. , which is yet to make a ruling on the project.