Around Town

Trash Strike Continues, Sides Have Not Met This Week

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Overflowing trash and recycling bins on Main Street during the trash strike. (Photo by Dean Martino)

The two sides have not come to an agreement on the trash strike impacting Watertown and 11 other communities, and it appears they have not been at the negotiation table since last week. The City says replacement crews continue to pick up trash, and missed collections will be dealt with later in the day. On Wednesday, Teamsters Local 25 sent out a release saying that officials with Republic Services have not met with them. “Republic Services was told on Thursday, July 3, if they did not begin negotiations by Monday, July 7, we were prepared to extend picket lines across the country.

Around Town

City to Seek Compensation for Trash Service Impacted by Strike, Pickups Slower Than Normal

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Overflowing trash and recycling bins on Main Street during the trash strike. (Photo by Dean Martino)

The City of Watertown will be seeking compensation for the service interruption. While trash and recycling collection has restarted, City officials said that the backup crews are taking longer than normal, and recycling will not be prioritized while the company continues contract negotiations. Also, the Recycling Center will remain closed, causing the cancellation of a planned event. On July 1, members of Teamsters Local 25 went on strike demanding changes to the contract with Republic Services.

Around Town

City Hosting Extreme Weather Preparedness Workshop

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The City of Watertown will host a workshop on how to prepare for extreme weather on July 14. See details in the announcement below. Attend the Extreme Weather Workshop, Building Climate Resilience and Flooding Solutions in Watertown, on Monday, July 14, 2025, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, 31 Marshall Street. Join us to explore the effects of flooding in Watertown and learn how to prepare for extreme weather. Get tips on preparedness, share flood solutions with neighbors and communicate your priorities to city staff.

Around Town

Learn About Historic Events in Watertown in July 1776 at Historical Society’s Presentation

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Charlie BreitroseA colonial re-enactor listens to a reading of the Declaration of Independence from the Edmund Fowle House on Marshall Street during the Historical Society of Watertown’s celebration in 2015. This year’s event will be at the Watertown Senior Center. The Historical Society of Watertown will host “Historic Events in Watertown, July 1776” at the Watertown Senior Center, 31 Marshall St., on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, from 5-6:30 p.m. See details in the event announcement below. Please attend this special program presented by the Historical Society at the Watertown Senior Center, honoring two important events: the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Watertown. The Treaty of Watertown was the first international US treaty.

Around Town

Trash Collections Continue, Some Areas Still Awaiting Pickup

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Watertown DPWCurbside trash and recycling has restarted but some residents still await pickups. The City of Watertown provided the following update on trash collection, and announced that the emergency drop off location on at 148 Waltham St. will be open again on Wednesday, July 9 from 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. See the announcement below. Curbside pickup will continue tomorrow, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, with regularly scheduled Wednesday B week services in Watertown. Republic Services replacement crews were in Watertown collecting trash and recycling today, July 8, 2025, for those with Tuesday trash pickup, and B week recycling pickup.

Around Town

Live Well Watertown Hosting Walks in July

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The City of Watertown’s Live Well Watertown will host weekly walks on Thursdays. In July and August the walks begin at 10 a.m. See the schedule below. July Walk Schedule

July 10 ~ Wellness Walk

Meetup:  Saltonstall Park’s red brick plaza, next to City Hall, 149 Main StreetJoin Stephanie Venizelos, Community Wellness Manager, and Kristina Courage, Certified Fitness Trainer, for a mindful morning walk and series of balancing exercises. July 17 ~ Public Arts & Culture Walk / Project Save Photograph Archive -https://projectsave.org

Meetup:  Thomas J. Cannalonga Memorial Park, 480 Pleasant St.Join in a walk to visit Project Save Photograph Archive on Pleasant St. Executive Director Arto Vaun will show us the space and talk about the 50 years of the project and the stories of the 80,000 photographs archived there. 

July 24 ~ Walk N Talkin collaboration with Watertown Business Coalition (WBC), this event will spotlight businesses in Watertown Square.

Around Town

Trash Collection Resumes, Emergency Trash Option Available

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Watertown DPWTrash and recycling pickups resumed Monday. Republic Services resumed trash and recycling pickup on Monday, while contract negotiations continue. Residents who have overflowing garbage bins can drop off items at a drop off location. Trash can be dropped off at 148 Waltham St. on Tuesday, July 8 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., City officials announced Monday.

Around Town

Community Preservation Committee Accepting Applications for 2026

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The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is accepting project applications for the FY 2026 funding round. Do you have an idea for an open space/outdoor recreation improvement, the preservation of a historic, or how to create affordable housing. Learn how to turn your good idea into a successful Community Preservation Act (CPA) project application. Key Dates

Community Preservation Act Clinic Hours: 

July 2025

9th – 10am, 10:30am, 11am and 11:30am

10th – 12:30pm, 1pm, 1:30pm, 3pm

14th – 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 3pm, 3:30pm, 4pm

16th – 10am, 10:30am, 11am, 11:30am

21st – 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 3pm, 3:30pm, 4pm

July 25, 2025 – Project Eligibility Forms Due

October 16, 2025 – CPA Funding Applications Due

Please visit the CPC webpage for more information, click How to Apply for links to application instructions and application documents. To schedule a CPA clinic appointment or if you have questions, please contact Lanae Handy, Community Preservation Coordinator at lhandy@watertown-ma.gov or 617-715-8620.