Purchases are being made in various departments and infrastructure improvements throughout town are being committed to, as projects go out to bid.

Town Manager Chuck Frigon reported that the Public Works Department will be undertaking a "significant" road project on Bunker Hill. However, the project still awaits state funding approvals.

In addition, road sections eight and nine, including Woolson Street, Northfield, Road, Fern Hill Road and Route 6, will possibly also see work done in the coming year.

The Public Works Department has also recently made the purchase of a new truck.

Despite the lack of funding for Watertown's Public Works Department to independently fund large projects, Mr. Frigon remarked on how Public Works crews are still very busy. Limited funding has made smaller and more numerous jobs the principal concern of the Public Works Department.

"We're getting sidewalks done, but were pulling guys off to do drainage work here and lots of other work throughout town," said Mr. Frigon.

The Watertown Police Department has also been working to maintain its level of crime prevention and ensuring public safety. Three patrol cars are currently on order. The Police Department has also recently acquired a new police canine after the previous one did not meet training requirements.

The Police Department's critical incident command center is also currently being planned, with equipment and other amenities being considered. Purchases will include telephone systems, computers, computer monitors, printers, upgrades to the IT systems, presentation equipment, multiple Internet access points, audio-visual equipment including televisions, DVD and video players and projectors.

"This will allow us to conduct roll call training in the briefing room and the equipment will provide incident commanders the equipment in managing a critical incident in town," said Watertown Police Chief John Gavallas.

The command center is being funded by a Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.

Mr. Frigon also reported the Watertown Water & Sewer Authority as being equally busy in the coming year as several projects will be going out to bid soon.

Approximately $300,000 of work is being committed to the improvement Watertown's water and sewer infrastructure across four projects, including: A water main service extension on Sylvan Lake Road.

Mr. Frigon noted that, "residents have been having trouble with water and sewer service in this area; the second is the installation of a sanitary sewer in the area of Gorham Street and Portland Street in Oakville; the third is the installation of sanitary sewers on Krantz Street; the fourth project is the installation of a sewer connection between the Watertown Fire District's water system and the Town of Watertown's system. The connection will be placed on French Street.

"This provides some redundancy if the Waterbury system should ever fail," said Mr. Frigon.