Police/Fire

Six Watertown Body Works Businesses Busted in Inspections by Health Department & Police

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Six body works businesses in Watertown have been closed indefinitely after being found to be in violation of the City’s new body works regulations. The inspections aimed at not only ensuring that the businesses were in compliance with the updated regulations, but also “to safeguard residents, legitimate businesses, and potential victims of human trafficking,” according to an announcement on the Watertown Police Department’s social media. “All six were found to be in violation of regulations set by the Watertown Board of Health, the Building Department, and the Zoning Department, as well as the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure. These establishments will not be permitted to reopen until they meet the required standards established by these agencies,” the Watertown Police announcement said. The inspections were conducted by the Watertown Health Department, in coordination with Watertown Police, Watertown Zoning and Building Departments, and the Occupational Licensing Division of Massachusetts.

Around Town

Flu Vaccine Clinics Being Hosted by Watertown Public Health Department

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The Watertown Public Health Department will host two flu vaccine clinics for seniors, and three more for residents age 9 and up. See more information about the clinics provided by the Health Department, below. 2025 SENIOR FLU VACCINE CLINIC

Watertown Public Health Department offers Influenza Vaccine (Standard/High dose) to Watertown Senior Residents at the Watertown Senior Center 31 Marshall St, Watertown, MA 02472

Tuesday Oct. 21, 2025 4 – 6 p.m.Please use the following link to registerhttps://home.color.com/vaccine/register/watertown/startFlow?calendar=2c664615-356c-49c3-a12d-4afb4ecbdafc&site=watertown-senior-center

Tuesday Oct. 14, 2025 4 – 6 p.m.

Please use the following link to registerhttps://home.color.com/vaccine/register/watertown?calendar=91f6ec7d-f825-4c7d-b48c-dca397d45e43&site=watertown-senior-center

Contact 617-972-6446

– Please bring your ID and health insurance card(s) to the clinic.

Around Town

Health Department Received More Than 100 Rodent Complaints, Body Work Regulations Begin

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Watertown’s Health Department has received more than 100 complaints about rodents since the beginning of the trash strike. At their meeting the Board of Health also heard about the start of the City’s body work regulations, and approved a life science company’s permit. A short Board of Health Meeting on Aug. 20 concluded without any conversation about newly proposed tobacco regulations, but did see a permit approval and some general Health Department updates. Talks about the regulations did not progress as Board of Health member Kim Netter was recovering from a medical issue so was unable to vote, and member Dominic Amirtharaj was not able to attend the meeting.

Around Town

Rodent Problem Growing Due to Trash Strike, Board of Health Rules on Tobacco Sale Violation

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The rodent problem in Watertown has been exacerbated by trash left on the street during the trash strike. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The Board of Health heard about the impact the trash strike is having on Watertown’s rodent problem during its July meeting. The board also discussed proposed changes to the City’s tobacco regulations, and discussed a reported violation at a business in town. Rodents

During the July 16 meeting, Watertown Public Health Director Abbey Myers provided updates on issues that have come before the Board of Health. The “biggest topic” brought up was the ongoing, multi-week trash strike which has overwhelmed sanitary services in Watertown, and has now led to a steadily rising rodent problem.

Government

Watertown Appoints New Director of Health Department

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The following announcement came from the City of Watertown:

Congratulations to Abbey Myers, the City of Watertown’s new permanent Director of Public Health, effective, Monday, February 5, 2024. Abbey has been a key member of the Health Department’s staff since she was hired, providing customer service while coordinating many aspects of public health, from updating our COVID policy, to attending emergency management training, building our new rodent policy, establishing better rules for dumpsters, and catching bats (yes . . . bats!). 

She stepped up into the Interim Director role, in August of 2023, where she has served the public well, staffing the Board of Health meetings, managing the Health Department staff, and organizing the Department’s move to the Parker Annex last week.

Government

Watertown Health Department Moving to New Location

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As part of a plan to reorganize Watertown’s municipal departments, the Health Department will be moving out of City Hall. The Health Department will be one of the departments moving south of the Charles River to the Parker Annex building, formerly the Parker School. The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

The Watertown Health Department is moving on February 1, 2024 to the Parker Annex at 124 Watertown Street, 3G, Watertown, MA 02472. They will still have the same phone number of 617-972-6446, all of the same contact information, and the same webpage. See the google map and get directions.

Around Town

Flu Shots Available at the Watertown Senior Center

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The following information is provided by the City of Watertown:

The Watertown Public Health Department is offering the influenza vaccine to Watertown Senior Residents at the Watertown Senior Center, located at 31 Marshall Street, on Friday, October 6, 2023 and Friday, October 13, 2023 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Senior residents can register here to sign up an appointment and secure their dose. Please bring your ID and health insurance card(s) with you (if you have insurance). Please wear loose or short sleeves if possible. If you have any problems signing up for your flu shot online, please call the Health Department at 617-972-6446, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., and they will help you.

Around Town

Watertown Health Department Holding Household Sharps Collection

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Watertown residents can dispose of needles, syringes, and lancets during the Watertown Health Department’s household sharps collection on Saturday Aug. 5. The Health Department provided the following information:

Syringes may be discarded by bringing them to the Household Sharps Collection days. Follow these tips (PDF) while handling syringes. Sharps Collection Registration Form (PDF)

Household sharps collection days:

April 1, August 5, and December 2, 20239 a.m. to NoonCity Hall, 149 Main St.Parking lot rear of the building

Watertown Residents can bring the following items on collection days:

Used needles, syringes and lancets that are stored in sturdy puncture-proof containers

Unused capped needles, syringes and lancets in original packaging

Unused EpiPens in original packaging.