Watertown Rotary Members from Past and Present Gather to Celebrate 100th Anniversary

The Rotary Club of Watertown celebrated 100 years with a dinner on June 24. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

WALTHAM — For a century, the Rotary Club of Watertown has been coming together to make the community a better place, and put service above self. The Club has a variety of events, including hosting the Senior Citizen Cook Out for more than 30 years, awarding scholarships to Watertown High School students, and hosting the Dancing With the Stars event. Watertown Rotarians from as far back as the 1980s joined current active members on June 24 to celebrate the Club’s 100th anniversary at an event held at Stazione di Federale in Waltham. Longtime Rotarian, and emcee for the evening, Paul DerBoghosian said that Watertown’s club was founded 25 years after the first Rotary Club was founded when Paul Harris brought a group of people together in Chicago to make their community and our world a better place together.

Watertown Community Foundation Launches Summer Matching Fund Campaign

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) launched a summer matching gift campaign to raise $25,000 in gifts and unlock up to $25,000 in matching gifts, made possible by individual donations from Watertown Community Foundation board members and other community supporters. Through July 25, 2025, all gifts to the Watertown Community Foundation will be matched, dollar for dollar — to double the amount, and the impact, of every donation. “We have this remarkable opportunity,” said Lauren Coughlin Unsworth, Foundation Board Co President. “The Watertown Community Foundation has a history of responding to challenging times; first during the 2008 recession, and most recently during the COVID pandemic. Many of our local non-profits are bracing for major funding cuts – planning for staff cuts or program changes, if necessary.

Trash & Recycling Pickup in Watertown Cancelled Tuesday Due to Strike

The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

Republic Services, Watertown’s trash and recycling contractor, has informed the City of Watertown that they were unable to reach an agreement with their employee union before the deadline on June 30, 2025, resulting in a labor strike beginning today, July 1, 2025. As a result, Republic Services is unable to provide curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste pickup on July 1, 2025, and the Watertown Recycling Center will be closed. The City’s composting program run by Black Earth remains on schedule. We remain in constant contact with Republic Services about contingency plans and we expect to make an announcement later today, July 1, 2025, with updates regarding tomorrow’s schedule. While this dispute is between a contractor and their employee union, we understand the impact this can have on our community and are remaining in contact with Republic Services and will be sharing an update today on the City’s website, social media, and the Everbridge Emergency Alert system.

Potential Trash Collection Strike Could Impact Watertown Residents

Watertown DPWWatertown trash and recycling toters. UPDATE: Due to the strike trash and recycling pickup in Watertown will be cancelled on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. See more here. Watertown residents may feel the impact of a looming strike by employees of the company that picks up trash and recycling around the City. The contract between Republic Services and Teamsters Local 25 ends on June 30, 2025, and a strike could occur if a new deal is not reached.

Marshall Home Fund Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Marshall Home Fund celebrated its 20th anniversary. (Courtesy of Marshall Home Fund)

The following information came from the Marshall Home Fund:

Marshall Home Fund’s 20th anniversary celebration took place May 15, 2025. Participants included community members who have contributed to both the Marshall Home and Marshall Home Fund’s success. Board members, ex-officio board members, new grantees, returning grant recipients, public servants, friends and family attended. The celebration was shared with the 2025 grant recipients. (Courtesy of Marshall Home Fund)

The event included a video which featured the Marshall Home, dating back to 1903, as well as the people who keep Marshall Home Fund vibrant and effective helping those 55 years and older living in the city of Watertown.

Watertown’s Roberta Miller Named “Commonwealth Heroine” by State Women’s Commission

Watertown Resident Roberta Miller was nominated to be a Commonwealth Heroine by State Rep. Steve Owens. (Courtesy of Rep. Owens’ Office)

The following announcement was provided by State Rep. Steve Owens’ office:

Each year, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) partners with state legislators to identify women who make outstanding contributions to their organizations and in their communities. Elected officials are encouraged to submit one woman from their constituency as a means of recognizing their invaluable efforts and extraordinary acts of service, who are making a big difference in their communities but not necessarily making the news. This year, the Class of 2025 Commonwealth Heroines comprises more than 125 women from across the state, leaders in industry, business, nonprofit, advocacy, and more. “I’m honored to nominate Roberta Miller as a 2025 Commonwealth Heroine,” said State Rep. Steve Owens.