Around Town

Negotiations Fail to Reach Agreement in Trash Strike

By |

Watertown DPWWatertown trash and recycling and compost bins. The two sides met Friday to discuss the trash strike impacting more than a dozen other communities, including Watertown, but left without coming to an agreement. The strike began July 1, and replacement crews began collecting trash and recycling in Watertown on July 7. The crews, however, were not able to complete the full day’s run, and this week Watertown hired an outside contractor to assist with pickups. This week, City Manager George Proakis sent a letter to both the Teamsters and Republic asking them to end the strike.

Around Town

Registration Open for the 2025 Faire on the Square

By |

Watertown’s Faire on the Square returns to Saltonstall Park on Saturday, Sept. 13 from noon to 5 p.m.

Businesses, non-profits and organizations can register. Vendor registration will remain open through Friday, August 22, 2025. Due to space constraints, all participating vendors will be limited to a maximum of one 10×10′ space. Registration categories are expected to sell out.

Around Town

Trash Strike: 6 Communities Seek Assistance in Court; Watertown Bringing in Help to Collect Trash, Recycling

By |

A Watertown trash bin. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

As the trash strike reaches 17 days, half a dozen affected communities have gone to court seeking assistance dealing with issues arising due to the strike. A complaint seeking injunctive relief from Republic Services to abate the public health problems resulting from the strike was filed Thursday by municipal leaders from Beverly, Gloucester, Malden, Peabody, Danvers and Canton in Essex County Superior Court in Salem, reports WCVB Channel 5. Beverly Mayor Mike Cahill sent an announcement to residents about the legal action, and noted that Beverly plans to assess Republic for liquidated damages for trash and recycling not being picked up, or delayed collection. Beverly plans to withhold the amount from its next payment to Republic Services.

Around Town

Visit Businesses South of the Charles River During Walk N Talk

By |

Charlie BreitroseThe Charles River from Watertown Square

The Watertown Business Coalition and Live Well Watertown will host a Walk N Talk of Watertown Square, south of the Charles River. The Watertown Square Walk N Talk will take place on Thursday, July 24 and stops include the new life science building at 66 Galen Street, Dallas Insurance, Farina’s Bicycle Shop, 1st Yard Barbers, and the City’s Parker Annex Building. The walk begins at 10 a.m. Meet and park at the Parker Annex Building (former school next to Casey Park) at 124 Watertown St. Register here! The Walk N Talk, co-sponsored with Live Well Watertown, provides an opportunity to engage with fellow community members, support local Watertown businesses and participate in physical activity.

Around Town

City Manager Talks About Trash Strike; Contract Negotiations Have Stalled

By |

Trash bins in Watertown. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

City Manager George Proakis spent more of his vacation than expected talking about trash, the strike, and how to deal with collection while Republic Services and Teamsters Local 25 negotiate a contract. The two sides met Tuesday, the 11th negotiating session, but did not come up with an agreement. In the meantime, Watertown and around a dozen other communities have been trying to make sure trash is collected. Proakis spoke to Watertown News at Tuesday’s grand opening of the renovated Arsenal Park, after returning from his time away from town.

Around Town

City Holding Hearing for Proposed Removal of 8 Trees

By |

Watertown’s Tree Warden will be holding a Shade Tree Removal Hearing f0r the proposed removal of eight trees on Keith Street. The trees are proposed to be removed due to home construction. The hearing will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, July, 22 at 10 a.m.

The species and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH):

Two (2) Norway Maples (5” DBH)

Three (3) Norway Maples (4”DBH)

One (1) Norway Maple (3”DBH)

One (1) American Elm (5”DBH)

One (1) American Elm (3”DBH)

The Zoom link is: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/81211901286Questions or concerns regarding this posting should be directed to the Tree Warden’s office at 617-972-6420 or email: mmicieli@watertown-ma.gov

Around Town

2025 Watertown Election Includes Races for City Council, School Committee & Library Trustees

By |

Candidates pulled papers to challenge for seats on the Watertown City Council, School Committee, and Board of Library Trustees in the 2025 Watertown City Election. At least one incumbent on each of the boards will not be running, and there will be new faces on all three. The City Election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and there will be no preliminary election. Councilor-At-Large John Airasian, will not be seeking reelection.

Around Town

Focus on Missed Trashed Pickups, Drop Off Site Open for Trash & Recycling All Week

By |

Watertown DPWCurbside composting toters, like the one on the left, will be part of the Watertown trash and recycling program starting in August. On Monday, replacement crews during the trash strike continued to collect any missed pickups from last week, so Monday pickups may not all be collected on July 14. The City will keep the drop off area for trash and recycling open from Monday to Friday during the week of July 14, with a limit of three bags of trash or equivalent recycling. City officials also requested that residents wait 48 hours to report a missed pickup as crews try to catch up. See below the update from the City of Watertown regarding trash and recycling curbside pickup:

Republic Services is doing trash and recycling curbside pickup today, Monday, July 14, 2025, completing any final missed pickups reported from Thursday and Friday of last week.