Watertown News | Page 20 | Your Source for Local News

Watertown City Manager, Municipal Leaders Urge Swift Resolution to Trash Strike

By Charlie Breitrose | July 3, 2025

Watertown DPWWatertown trash and recycling pickup has been uncollected since July 1 when workers at Republic Services went on strike.

Watertown City Manager George Proakis joined several mayors, town managers, and town administrators urging company Republic Services to come to a deal to end the strike that has stopped trash and recycling collection since July 1, 2025. The letter also identifies weaknesses in the company’s response to the situation, including slowness of deploying backup resources and lack of communication. See the letter below.

Teamsters Union Releases Statement About Trash Strike

The following announcement was provided by Teamsters Local 25:

Following a strike vote that passed by more than 90 percent on Monday, members of Teamsters Local 25 at Republic Services are about to conclude their first week of the work stoppage without a fair offer from the company.

School Committee Hears Results of Survey of Watertown Students, Parents & Teachers

At the Watertown School Committee’s June 23 meeting, school leaders coalesced to tackle a diverse agenda – from contract renewals to electronic device usage in school – while taking another look into how students, families, and teachers experience life in the Watertown School System.

Q&A with Laura Kurman Who is Retiring from Wayside Multi Service Center After More Than 30 Years

Laura Kurman retired as Executive Director of the Wayside Multi Service Center in June. She worked there for more than three decades. (Courtesy of Wayside Multi Service Center)

For more than three decades, Laura Kurman has been working to help those in need in Watertown. She retired as Executive Director of the Wayside Multi Service Center at the end of June, and looked back on her time.

More Headlines

Trash Strike Continues, See When Pickups Could Resume

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

Trash & Recycling Pickup in Watertown Cancelled Tuesday Due to Strike

Schools

Local Students Launch “Unpacking History”: A Mobile Holocaust Memorial

By Guest Writer | May 20, 2025

The following announcement was provided by the Jewish Community Day School of Greater Boston:

The Jewish Community Day School of Greater Boston (JCDS) proudly invites the public to experience a unique and moving museum exhibit: Unpacking History – A Mobile Holocaust Memorial. Developed by the JCDS Class of 2025, this innovative traveling exhibit was created by teens, for teens to educate and inspire a new generation about the realities of the Holocaust.

Business

Chamber’s First Women’s Conference to Feature Lt. Gov. & Panel of CEOs

By Guest Writer | May 20, 2025

The keynote speaker for the Charles River Chamber’s first Women’s Conference will be Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. Attendees will also hear from a panel of female CEOs and company presidents, as well as participate in power sessions. See more information in the announcement from the Chamber.

Around Town

Chamber Breakfast: Time to Join “Team Massachusetts,” Despite Sobering Economic Numbers

By Charlie Breitrose | May 19, 2025

Former Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao, right, and Interim Secretary Ashley Stolba spoke at the Charles River Regional Chamber Spring Business Breakfast. (Photo by Leise Jones)

NEEDHAM — Statistics and trends shared by an economist from the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston painted a sobering picture for the Boston Metro region, but the former Mass. Secretary of Economic Development gave a pep talk for the attendees of the Charles River Regional Chamber’s Spring Business Breakfast.

Government

City of Watertown Maintains Highest Bond Rating for 2025 Municipal Bonds

By Charlie Breitrose | May 19, 2025

The City of Watertown maintained its high bond rating by S&P Global Ratings for the 2025 general obligation bonds. Watertown will have more than $56 million in general obligation loans that will be used for capital projects, including the construction of the new Watertown High School.

Transportation

Traffic Congestion Expected Due to Work at Mass. Pike / I-95 Interchange

By Guest Writer | May 19, 2025

Traffic congestion is expected in coming weeks due to construction at the Mass Pike/I-95 interchange over the MBTA Commuter Rail tracks, the Mass Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced. Lane closures will take place from May 30-June 2 and June 20-23. See more information provided by MassDOT, below.

Entertainment

Local Artists’ Work to be Featured in Studios Without Walls 2025

By Guest Writer | May 19, 2025

Watertown artist Dawn Scaltreto and Watertown’s Arts & Culture Planner Liz Helfer will be part of the Studio Without Walls 2025, “Dream Along the River,” which takes place near the Longwood T station in Brookline. See more information provided by Studio Without Walls.

Around Town

Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corp Seeks Young Musicians

By Guest Writer | May 19, 2025

Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corps

The Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corps has educated young people in how to play fife and drum since 1972. The group participates in events around New England, and seeks young musicians to be part of the Fife and Drum Corps. Find out more information about the group in the announcement provided by Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corps.

Around Town

Volunteers Lent a Hand at the Watertown Housing Authority During Watertown Helps Out

By Guest Writer | May 18, 2025

The Watertown Housing Authority hostedannual Watertown Helps Out Day and got a hand from volunteers from C4 Therapeutics.

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Housing Authority.

On May 14th the Watertown Housing Authority participated in this year’s annual Watertown Helps Out Day, put on by the Watertown Community Foundation.