Watertown News | Page 43 | Your Source for Local News

City Council to Vote on Water & Sewer Rates, Increase Expected

By Charlie Breitrose | 4 hours ago

Tuesday night, the City Council will vote on the water and sewer rates for residents and commercial customers in town. An increase is proposed, but not as much as previously estimated.

Trash & Recycling Pickup Resumes This Week, Other Services Delayed

Watertown DPWTrash and recycling pickup begins again this week.

The City of Watertown announced that trash and recycling collection will resume beginning Monday. The strike continues, but Republic Services will use replacement crews to do the collection.

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

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.

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.

More Headlines

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

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

Mosesian Center for the Arts Announces New Executive Director

Around Town

Watertown Walks Return, Each Feature City, Health, Arts & Business Themes

By Guest Writer | April 2, 2025

The following information was provided by the City of Watertown’s Live Well Watertown:

WEEKLY WATERTOWN WALKS are back!

Weekly programs will take place every Thursday, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. (10 a.m. in July & August) and include movement, conversation, and opportunities to connect, interact, and explore the greater community. The walking portion of these programs will be approximately 30 – 40 minutes, and we encourage attendees to walk at a comfortable pace.

Transportation

MBTA to Increase Service on a Watertown Bus Route

By Guest Writer | April 2, 2025

An MBTA bus. (Photo from City of Watertown)

The MBTA announced changes as part of the Better Bus Project, including increased service on one of Watertown’s bus lines. See information sent out by the MBTA, below.

Business

Charles River Chamber Hosting Coffee Connect in Watertown

By Guest Writer | April 2, 2025

The following information came from the Charles River Chamber:

Start your morning with coffee, conversation, and connections! Our popular Coffee Connect series is heading to Not Your Average Joe’s in Watertown Square, where our hosts will be showcasing some of their delicious brunch offerings exclusively for this event.

Government

Gov. Healey Concerned About Impacts of Federal Funding Cuts & Tariffs, Sees Housing as State’s Biggest Challenge

By Charlie Breitrose | April 1, 2025

Gov. Maura Healey speaks with Charles River Chamber President & CEO Greg Reibman during the Chamber’s Government Affairs Forum on March 31. (Photo by Leise Jones)

NEWTON — Gov. Maura Healey worries about the uncertainty in the economy created by policies coming out of Washington, as well as federal funding cuts negatively impacting some of Massachusetts’ biggest industries, she told an audience at the Charles River Regional Chamber event on Monday.

Letters

LETTER: Ambulance, Public Safety Should be a Priority in New City Positions

By Guest Writer | April 1, 2025

Greetings Councilors:

Has anyone noticed the cumulative monetary effects of all the new positions created within the City Administration? And yet; a second ambulance, for the well-being and safety of the citizens of Watertown, is in jeopardy of not materializing for the coming fiscal year budget.

Entertainment

Call for Local Artists to Be Part of the 2025 Watertown Arts Market

By Guest Writer | April 1, 2025

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Arts Market Committee:

The Watertown Business Coalition is excited to announce the fifth annual Watertown Arts Market will take place on Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 12:00 – 5:00pm at Arsenal Park. This celebratory event brings together an abundance of artists, arts and cultural organizations, and arts- and culture-related businesses based in or serving Watertown. More information is available at www.watertownartsmarket.com.

Entertainment

Watertown Woman Pens First Novel at Age 83, Based on Her Humanitarian Work in Africa

By Charlie Breitrose | April 1, 2025

A former political science professor who started an humanitarian organization working in Africa, has written her debut novel at age 83.

Police/Fire

Council Committee Exploring Cost of Adding a Second Fire Department-Run Ambulance

By Charlie Breitrose | March 31, 2025

The Watertown Fire Department has run its own ambulance since 1975, and has offered paramedic service since 2017. The one ambulance cannot always cover all the calls, however, and the City Council is looking at whether to add a second ambulance.