A letter from Watertown resident Linda Scott to City Manager George Proakis:
Hi George,
I hope that you’re enjoying your vacation. Here’s a picture of what we’re up to here in Watertown. We miss you!!
At last night’s City Council meeting, the Council President said that you had long-term plans. Somehow, I imagine if there was something called an emergency rezoning meeting or they were reviewing plans for that “big, beautiful seven story parking garage” you want to plunk, unceremoniously in the middle of Watertown Square, you would have made other plans. Rest assured though, your deputy, Emily, did a nice job last night.
So let me tell you about the last couple of days on my street. This morning I got up, and it was raining! As I got ready to walk my dogs, I thought about how there are many cultures that view rainy days as auspicious occasions, and I thought, given the way we’re going, that may be true of us soon!
So, I happened to look out my front window, and I see this, parked clear across my driveway with two big words inscribed on it:
I started to chuckle, in spite of myself. I think the rain helped.
Let me tell you what was so funny. Do you get irony? Some people don’t, but if you do, I think you’ll find this funny, too.
On Monday, I called into 311. I asked if the people on my street, digging 3 foot furrows in my neighbors’ lawns were scheduled to be doing work here. You see, no notice was given to the neighbors, and between them and the smelly garbage bins, the street was a real mess, and a rat paradise!
Laura, at 311, looked on the DPW schedule and said that nothing was listed for my street. National Grid had only reported to the City that Prescott Street and the Square would be involved with them this week.
She said that she would check in with DPW on this. Later in the day, a City vehicle stopped and a person got out and took quite a few notes on all of the very large equipment parked on my street. I thought that was a good sign.
So, Tuesday rolls around, and they (Neuco on behalf of National Grid) are back. I go out and start talking with the guys parked right in front of my house. They had showed up again on my street, closing it (and Gilbert) on “trash day.”
I talked with the self-identified “boss” of this group and said that DPW said they weren’t due here. I explained the complication with the trash. The boss asked me what DPW had to do with anything… “They’re water; we’re gas!” He explained that they were over on Prescott, but they had enough crews there, so they thought they’d get a head start on Gilbert and Olcott … (“Think Ahead”??)
I told the “boss” that I had no trouble with the work that they do, and that they’ve always been polite, but they needed to let us know when they were coming back … the City didn’t even know.
The boss told me that they’d been there for a month, and I told him that they hadn’t been on my street for three weeks. It’s about then that the other workers averted their eyes and started quietly heading for the other side of the truck, where my wrath couldn’t reach them.
The boss says, “We have permits to be here,” and I said, “And who issued those permits? If nothing else, don’t you have a responsibility to the City Council, who voted to approve these permits?” I let him “win” with the idea that distributing info to the houses on the street was not his personal responsibility.
They eventually left my street for Gilbert … I’m guessing that no one thought to officially complain on that street.
I had described my encounter with Neuco to several knowledgable Watertown residents. And in support of what I was up against, former Councilor Kounelis sent me this:
Linda: Attached is the DPW Construction Update for the Week of 07/06/2025.
Excerpts are as follows:
Utilities
Note: Utility companies are responsible for notifying residents prior to conducting work. National Grid Gas
“National Grid’s Contractors, Feeney Brothers and NEUCO, will begin and/or continue gas main replacement work on the following streets:”
- Prescott St (2 crews)
- Watertown Square (2 crews, night work)
“Localized detours of the traffic immediately surrounding the work site may occur. Please expect minor delays.”
It’s now Wednesday, and they’re back again, with their “Think Ahead” truck. They’ve been idling their multiple trucks for over an hour (waiting for the rain to stop?). And at least one of their workers is “live parked” in a neighbor’s handicapped spot.
Oh, and I called 311. The trash is still here. Here we go again! And we’re beginning to see rats scurrying in the daylight hours.
So, enjoy your vacation, George. I meant to send you a letter on another matter, but that can wait until you get back or the garbage strike gets resolved … whichever comes first.