About Susan Falkoff

Biography of Susan Falkoff

Susan moved to Watertown over thirty years ago to raise two children, Sam and Rebecca. "I've seen Watertown grow and prosper in this time in ways I never imagined. New restraurants have joined some local landmarks as vital neighborhood gathering spots. The Charles River path has become an important recreational and natural asset. The Arsenal Center for the Arts enriches all of us with its artistic and educational programs."

What Susan values most about Watertown is the strength of the community and diversity of her neighbors. “I am very proud to call Watertown home. It’s not surprising that Watertown forced a worldwide reconsideration of the Armenian genocide by speaking truth to power. Or more recently, that in response to the burning of the rainbow flag at the Unitarian Church, Watertown gathered in solidarity to stand against this act of hatred.”

In running for a second term as Town Councilor-at-Large, continues decades of community service to Watertown. As an active member of Watertown Citizens for Environmental Safety, Susan spearheaded efforts to hold the Army accountable for environmental restoration at the Watertown Arsenal. Previous to Susan’s involvement, the Army did not seem much concerned with the environmental effect of its activities. An Army official was widely quoted for saying, “We are in the business of defending America, not the environment.” Susan is proud of her part in changing that position by demonstrating that citizens can work cooperatively with public officials when their input is taken seriously. Although she never expected to spend a large part of her adult life considering military toxics, she has become a national spokesperson on constructive citizen involvement in environmental remediation projects. She often says, “To change the world, you have to start somewhere.”

Susan was born in Rochester, New York, where her father worked in the furniture business and later became a high school history teacher. Her mother was a tireless fundraiser for the arts. Susan and her sister each chose to work in helping professions and each has served as an elected official in their home communities. In her professional life, Susan is a clinical social worker who provides therapy to children, adolescents, adults, and families in a variety of settings.

In her civic roles, Susan finds that her professional training in listening and collaborating helps develop win-win solutions to problems. As Town Councilor-at-Large, Susan serves as Chair of the Department of Public Works and intergovernmental sub-committees, and as a member of the Planning and Economic Development sub-committee. Her efforts have led to:

identifying ways to cut cost and improve town servies
develop consitent guidelines for curbs and sidewalks during road construction
enhance long-range planning for the Pleasant Street Corridor and Coolidge Square
coordinating with the Recycling Advisory Committee to improve town-wide recycling servies
responding to constituent concerns to address parking and noise violations, rules for placement of cell phone towers and ongoing clean-up of polluted sites.

If re-elected to the Council, Susan will champion a town government that is fiscally responsible, delivers effective services and fosters community spirit. She will continue to promote greater government transparency, long-range planning, excellent schools, energy efficient, and safe and pleasant roads and sidewalks. She wants Watertown to be as affordable and vibrant for her children’s and grandchildren’s families as it has been for her.