Around Town

Recycle Styrofoam, Shred Paper and Get Rid of Tires at DPW Event

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Watertown’s Department of Public Works will host a special recycling event where styrofoam will be collected, paper will be shredded and tires will be taken. The recycle event will be on Saturday, May 5, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is for Watertown residents only, ID will be required. Also, no commercial or business items.

Clean, white styrofoam will be accepted, including cups and trays, but no foam peanuts or colored styrofoam. Paper will also be shredded and tires will be accepted, but no rims.

The event will be at the DPW’s Recycling Center on Green River Way, off Waltham Street. Directions: West from Watertown Square on Pleasant Street, North (right) on Bridge Street, West (left) on Waltham Street and South (left) on Green River Way.

Around Town

Snow Emergency Declared in Watertown for Wednesday’s Snow Storm & Beyond

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The Watertown Department of Public Works has declared a Snow Emergency, meaning on-street parking will be banned. The Snow Emergency begins at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 and is in effect until further notice. Cars will not be allowed to be parked on the streets of Watertown at any time, and those on the street are subject to towing. See options for parking your car if you do not have off-street parking and more information about the snow emergency below in the announcement from the Watertown DPW:

A winter weather event is predicted with high winds and between 3 to 6 inches of snow accumulation and potentially 8 to 10 inches depending upon where the storm’s rain/snow line forms. The Superintendent of Public Works has declared a snow emergency effective 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, 2018 and will remain in effect until further notice. Parking Ban – On street parking will be banned and any motor vehicle left on the street will be subject to towing until further notice.

Around Town

Snow Cleanup Continues for Watertown DPW After Storm Drops More than a Foot

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With a storm that lasted most of Thursday, and dropped North of a foot of snow, Watertown’s Department of Public Works crews have been busy the last couple days. 

Snow totals in the area show that more than a foot of snow fell in Watertown. The National Weather Service reports that West Newton got 15 inches and it measured 13 inches in Arlington. The storm was a tough one to handle, said DPW Superintendent Gerry Mee. “It was not the biggest accumulation but because of the cold temperatures and intensity of the storm it was very difficult,” Mee said. The snow emergency and all-day parking ban will remain in place for now because roads have been narrowed by the snow, Mee said.

Around Town

Watertown Declares Snow Emergency; Schools, Town Hall, Other Facilities Closed

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{Updated on Jan. 4, 2018 at 2:38 p.m.}

With a foot or more of snow expected in Watertown, the Department of Public Works has announced a snow emergency starting at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, and Town offices and facilities will be closed on Thursday. The Watertown Public Schools will be closed, Superintendent Dede Galdston sadid in an announcement:
“Due to the incoming snow storm, all Watertown Public Schools will be CLOSED tomorrow, Thursday, January 4. All school-related and extracurricular activities are canceled tomorrow as well. Stay warm and be safe!”

Around Town

Watertown Styrofoam, Tire Collection Event Postponed Until February

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The Watertown Department of Public Work’s recycling event scheduled for this weekend has been postponed until Feb. 10, 2018. Collect all your unwanted styrofoam and tires, and dispose of it at an event hosted by the Watertown Department of Public Works. The DPW sent out the following information:
On Feb. 10, 2018 there will be a recycle event at the Watertown Recycle Center, 76 Stanley Ave., Watertown, MA (off of Waltham Street).

Department of Public Works

Changes Coming Soon for Watertown’s Trash/Recycling Pick Up

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Watertown residents will see some changes to their trash, recycling and yard waste pick up starting in early December, with most people seeing small changes but some will have a whole new day of the week to put out their trash and recycling. The changes will begin the week of Dec. 11, and come as a result of the Town starting a new trash and recycling contract. The biggest chance with the new system will be five trash pick up days each week instead of four. The Department of Public Works and the trash/recycling pick up contractor Republic Services unveiled the new system for the Town Council this week.

DPW

Watertown Fire Hydrant Flushing Begins This Week, May Discolor Water

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Watertown’s Department of Public Works will begin flushing fire hydrants this week, and will continue for the next six weeks. Public Works Superintendent Gerald Mee sent out the following announcement:

In order to maintain the high quality of drinking water in Watertown, the annual program of flushing mains will begin during the week of Sept. 18, 2017. Flushing hours are Monday Through Friday 7 p.m. to midnight. Consumers may experience discolored water at times during the weeks of Sept.

DPW

Multi-Year Sewer Repair Projects to Start in Three Areas of Town

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The Department of Public Works will begin a multi-year sewer project in two areas of town with the help of money provided by the MWRA. 

The work begins with investigation of the sewer pipes under the streets using a camera that travels through the system searching for areas where pipes has been damaged, said Dennis Sheehan, the DPW’s Director of Administration and Finance. The pipes will also be cleaned. Cracks and damage can allow sewage out but also allows water into the pipes, which ultimately costs the town more money, Sheehan said. “The goal of the program is to reduce the amount of clean water being diverted to Deer Island and prevent the town paying (the treatment of) ground water infiltrating into the system,” Sheehan said. Next year, the DPW will repair the damages areas found by the cameras this year.