HomeMy Public PortalAbout2016-04-22 Watertown Memorial and Dedication Policy DRAFTTOWN OF
WATERTOWN
Veterans' Services
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, Massachusetts 02472
Phone: 617-972-6416
Fax: 617-972-6403
www.watertown-ma.gov
mcomeiro@watertown-ma.gov
Watertown Memorials and Dedications
This policy covers the issuance and presentation of Memorials and Dedications in the
community to include sidewalk signs, Street dedications, Square dedications, Stones, Plaques,
Parks and Buildings.
To be considered for a Veteran Memorial or Dedication, the individual to be honored
must meet the following requirement:
• Veteran Killed in Action (KIA)
• Deceased Gold Star Mother
• Deceased Gold Star Father
• Deceased City or State Officials with Veteran status
To be considered for a Non -Veteran Memorial, Dedication, Street name, Park, or
Building name, the individual to be honored must meet the following requirement:
• City or State Official
• Watertown resident who must have made a major contribution and unselfish
efforts to the community or was involved with a particular facility or activity.
• Watertown resident who may have made a major donation to the Town or in
acquiring a piece of property.
• Family/Friends must provide any and all pertinent documentation to verify proof
of eligibility.
The Process for Veterans Memorials and Dedications
• All requests for Veterans' Memorials must be submitted through the Veteran's
Services Officer.
• A member of the family must make a written request indicating the name of the
Veteran, service, rank and area of designation along with proof that the veteran was
killed in action (KIA). Examples include: newspaper clipping, telegram, notice of
death, DD -214 stating the veteran was killed in action, etc.
• For City or State Officials with Veteran status, a copy of the DD -214 Veterans
discharge must be submitted for verification purposes.
• The Veteran's Services Officer will verify the applicant's eligibility.
• The Veteran's Services Officer will forward the completed request to the Town
Council.
• The Town council shall approve or disapprove any Memorial or Dedication by
resolution.
• The Town Manager, upon approval by the Town council, shall implement the
Memorial or Dedication requested.
• The name is then placed on a permanent list of Memorial dedications tracked by
the Veteran's Services Department.
• The Veteran's Services Officer shall be the caretaker of all Veteran Memorials.
The Process for Non -Veteran Memorials, Dedications, Street names, Parks, or Building
names
• All requests for Memorials, Dedications, Street names, Parks, or Building names,
must be submitted through the Superintendent of Public Works' office.
• A member of the family must make a written request and submit proof of
eligibility.
• The Superintendent's Office will verify the applicant's eligibility.
• The Superintendent's Office will forward the completed request to the
Superintendent of Public Works.
• Once the Superintendent of Public Works approves the request, the request will
then be submitted to the Town Council for approval.
• The Town Council will provide appropriate public notice on naming actions in
conjunction with other agenda items.
• The Town Council shall approve or disapprove any naming or renaming by
resolution.
• The Town Manager, upon approval of the naming or renaming action by the
Town council, shall implement names or name changes of streets, corners,
squares, parks, and/or any other municipal buildings requested.
• The name is then placed on a permanent list of Memorial dedications tracked by
the Town Clerk's Office.
• The Department of Public Works shall be the caretaker and maintain all non -
Veteran Memorials.
Mail the application and all supporting documents to:
ATTN:
Watertown Veterans' Services Department
Memorial and Dedications
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472