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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. The City Council will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8 in City Hall. Remote participation on Zoom will also be available. See details on the agenda here.
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. Dear Members of the Republic Services Leadership Team,
We write to you as municipal leaders from across the region and as customers of Republic Services, regarding the ongoing work stoppage caused by stalled union negotiations.
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. 5Essentials Survey
The centerpiece of the evening was the unveiling of results from the district’s 5Essentials Survey, a response-based study developed by the University of Chicago Consortium which collects feedback from students, guardians, and teachers on the district’s instructional climate, school culture, and other key metrics. Now in its fourth year of implementation in Watertown, the survey has proven to be a vital tool in shaping school policy and improving classroom practices. According to the memo supplied by Superintendent Deanne Galdston, “the 5Essentials framework identifies five core components that, when present and strong, reliably predict school improvement and student outcomes.”
These five essential components are: Supportive Environment, Ambitious Instruction, Collaborative Teachers, Effective Leaders, and Involved Families. More details about the 2024-25 5Essentials Study can be found here.
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. Kurman spoke with Watertown News Editor Charlie Breitrose in her office at the house on North Beacon Street that serves as the offices for the Wayside Multi Service Center in early June.
The Rotary Club of Watertown celebrated 100 years with a dinner on June 24. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
WALTHAM — For a century, the Rotary Club of Watertown has been coming together to make the community a better place, and put service above self. The Club has a variety of events, including hosting the Senior Citizen Cook Out for more than 30 years, awarding scholarships to Watertown High School students, and hosting the Dancing With the Stars event. Watertown Rotarians from as far back as the 1980s joined current active members on June 24 to celebrate the Club’s 100th anniversary at an event held at Stazione di Federale in Waltham. Longtime Rotarian, and emcee for the evening, Paul DerBoghosian said that Watertown’s club was founded 25 years after the first Rotary Club was founded when Paul Harris brought a group of people together in Chicago to make their community and our world a better place together.
Aliana de la Guardia
The Mosesian Center for the Art’s Board announced the hiring of the next Executive Director in an email on June 27. Aliana de la Guardia will take over for interim Executive Director Roberta Miller. See the MCA’s announcement below. Dear MCA Community,
I am delighted to share with you that Aliana de la Guardia will be our new Executive Director beginning July 14, 2025! Aliana is a visionary arts and culture leader who knows the power of building community and belonging through the arts.
Watertown Resident Roberta Miller was nominated to be a Commonwealth Heroine by State Rep. Steve Owens. (Courtesy of Rep. Owens’ Office)
The following announcement was provided by State Rep. Steve Owens’ office:
Each year, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) partners with state legislators to identify women who make outstanding contributions to their organizations and in their communities. Elected officials are encouraged to submit one woman from their constituency as a means of recognizing their invaluable efforts and extraordinary acts of service, who are making a big difference in their communities but not necessarily making the news. This year, the Class of 2025 Commonwealth Heroines comprises more than 125 women from across the state, leaders in industry, business, nonprofit, advocacy, and more. “I’m honored to nominate Roberta Miller as a 2025 Commonwealth Heroine,” said State Rep. Steve Owens.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. June 14: At 2 a.m. Officer Khalil Mafhoum spotted a pickup truck stopped in traffic at Galen Street and Nonantum Road and the driver was asleep behind the wheel. The vehicle was running and the brakes were on. The driver seemed confused when he was awakened and did not know where he was. Police detected a smell of alcohol.