Around Town

Rodent Problem Growing Due to Trash Strike, Board of Health Rules on Tobacco Sale Violation

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The rodent problem in Watertown has been exacerbated by trash left on the street during the trash strike. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The Board of Health heard about the impact the trash strike is having on Watertown’s rodent problem during its July meeting. The board also discussed proposed changes to the City’s tobacco regulations, and discussed a reported violation at a business in town. Rodents

During the July 16 meeting, Watertown Public Health Director Abbey Myers provided updates on issues that have come before the Board of Health. The “biggest topic” brought up was the ongoing, multi-week trash strike which has overwhelmed sanitary services in Watertown, and has now led to a steadily rising rodent problem.

Schools

Watertown Schools Settle Lawsuit Filed by Families of Students Allegedly Mistreated by Preschool Teacher

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The Watertown Public Schools settled a lawsuit brought by the families of four students in the district’s preschool program after alleged verbal and physical treatment by a teacher in the Early Steps Preschool Program. The name of the teacher was not released. The district removed the teacher from the class immediately and the person no longer works for the Watertown Public Schools. KCS Attorneys announced the settlement in a statement on July 9, 2025. “After months of negotiations and a lengthy mediation, the parties reached a $300,000 settlement to be distributed among the plaintiffs and their families,” the announcement said.

Around Town

State Rep. Lawn Plans to Run for Re-Election After Changing Plea in OUI Case

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State Rep. John Lawn

Watertown State Rep. John Lawn said he is planning to seek re-election the same week that he changed his plea in the driving under the influence of alcohol case, admitting in a Boston courtroom to sufficient facts on the charges. On July 19, during the St. Mary of Carmen Society’s 90th Italian-American Festival in Nonantum, Lawn said “I’m going to run again,” according to a report in the Fig City News. He represents the 10th Middlesex District, which includes parts of Watertown, Newton, and Waltham. Lawn presented a citation from the State Legislature during the festival in Newton, and said he was uplifted by the support he received from the attendees at the event, the report said.

Weather

Lightning Strikes in Watertown During Brief but Powerful Storm

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Lightning strikes in Watertown on July 25, 2025 are circled in yellow. Two other red dots mark strikes nearby in Belmont and Newton.(Map from LightningMaps.org)

A thunderstorm rolled through Watertown Friday afternoon, and two lightning bolts struck around town. The severe thunderstorm storm hit the City around 2:30 p.m. and lightning bolts struck in two spots, according to the map on LightningMaps.org, at:

• The Common Street Cemetery (near Watertown High School). • Near Orchard Street in the vicinity of Victory Field

The storm left damage, including a downed tree on Grant Avenue, Channel 7 reported. Wicked weather in Watertown on Grant St creating quite the mess…leaving this Tesla buried under downed trees when today’s summer scorcher turned into wild winds and drenching downpours without much warning #7News pic.twitter.com/bjZNzihc9n— Steve Cooper (@scooperon7) July 25, 2025

There were also strikes near Watertown:

• In Belmont off of Lexington Street (north of Belmont Street)

• In Newton, south of the Charles River near California Street, west of Bridge Street.

Government

Council President to Republic: Trash Strike “Needs to Come to an End”

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

City Council President Mark Sideris read a letter to the City Council Thursday night in which he calls on Republic Services to end of the trash strike, which began on July 1. The City Council voted to approve sending the letter. Sideris’ letter follows two letter sent by City Manager George Proakis and other municipal leaders to Republic. The last one was sent on July 10.

Around Town

Watertown Yard Waste Remains Uncollected, Report of Efforts to Slow Trash Collection in Town

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While trash and recycling collections have resumed during the strike, Watertown residents have not had yard waste pickup in about a month. The City of Watertown has opened a drop off site at 148 Waltham St. for trash and recycling, but yard waste cannot be left there. Tyler Cote, the City’s Community Engagement Specialist, confirmed that yard waste collection was cancelled during the week of July 21-25. The City has contacted Republic about this part of the waste collection service.

Around Town

Watertown Recreation Launching User-Friendly Online Registration System

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A screenshot of what the new Watertown Recreation online registration system will look like. (Courtesy of Rec Technologies)

Watertown Recreation’s online registration system will be getting a major upgrade, allowing for quick, easy transactions for residents signing up for programs, summer camp, and facility rentals. On Aug. 1, the Recreation Department will debut its new online registration system. “We basically go on from a software that looks a little bit like dial up internet the old days to a really modern look,” said Assistant Recreation Director Jon “Kaz” Kazanjian.

Around Town

City Will Begin Designing Watertown Square Soon, Construction Many Months Away

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Erika Jerram, the City of Watertown’s Director of Community Design, speaks to a group at a Watertown Business Coalition event. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

After a flurry of activity during the planning stages for Watertown Square, there has been a lull in the process. City officials said the action will begin again in the near future but the shovels won’t be hitting the ground for up to two years. Watertown’s Director of Community Design Erika Jerram provided an update on the status of the Watertown Square project during the Watertown Business Coalition’s coffee connect at Watertown Savings on July 16. The City Council and Planning Board approved the Watertown Square Area Plan in July 2024.