Around Town

Trash Strike Has Ended, City Closing Temporary Drop Off Site

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A Watertown trash bin. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The strike by union employees working at Republic Services has ended as the two sides announced an agreement on Friday. The strike began on July 1, and lasted more than 11 weeks. A five-year deal was signed by the two sides, according to a joint announcement. Republic Services and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 25 have reached a five-year collective bargaining agreement.

Around Town

TRASH STRIKE: Union Votes to Remain on Strike, Watertown Curbside Collection Continues But Other Services Not Open

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Trash and recycling bins on Main Street. (Photo by Dean Martino)

The strike by union members working for Republic Services will continue after Teamsters Local 25 voted to reject the latest proposal on Wednesday. The strike began more than two months ago on July 1. Union members, representing 400 workers, voted down the offer by more than 84 percent, according to an announcement from Teamsters Local 25. “This group is one of the strongest groups I’ve ever worked with in my more than three decades as a Teamster,” said Teamsters Local 25 President Tom Mari.

Around Town

Health Department Received More Than 100 Rodent Complaints, Body Work Regulations Begin

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Watertown’s Health Department has received more than 100 complaints about rodents since the beginning of the trash strike. At their meeting the Board of Health also heard about the start of the City’s body work regulations, and approved a life science company’s permit. A short Board of Health Meeting on Aug. 20 concluded without any conversation about newly proposed tobacco regulations, but did see a permit approval and some general Health Department updates. Talks about the regulations did not progress as Board of Health member Kim Netter was recovering from a medical issue so was unable to vote, and member Dominic Amirtharaj was not able to attend the meeting.

Around Town

City Offering Yard Waste Drop-Off as Trash Strike Continues

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A Watertown trash bin. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The City of Watertown’s emergency drop-off site for trash and recycling will also now accept yard waste. The trash strike that started July 1 continues, and the City has set up a drop-off site at the former Sterritt Lumber site, 148 Waltham St., for residents to use. The temporary facility is open Monday-Friday, from 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. for Watertown residents. The City’s Trash Strike updates said: “Please limit your drop-off to 3 bags of household trash, the equivalent amount of recycling that would fit in your bins, and a maximum of three bags of yard waste.

Around Town

Yard Waste Collection Resumes in Watertown This Week, Trash Strike Continues

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A Watertown trash bin. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The City of Watertown announced that for the first time in a month resident yard waste will be collected during the week of Aug. 4, as the five-week trash strike continues. Republic Services, Watertown’s trash and recycling contractor, has been collecting trash and recycling since early July using replacement crews while Teamsters Local 25 went on strike on July 1. Until this week, however, yard waste has not been picked up.

Letters

LETTER: Even With Trash Resumed Pickups, Residents Still Feeling Effects of Strike

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Dear George,

When I wrote my first open letter to you, I hadn’t meant for it to be a habit, but circumstances being what they are, I guess it was meant to be. First of all, I stand by my last letter in Watertown News, where I complimented you and Tom Brady (Director of the Department of Public Works): https://www.watertownmanews.com/2025/07/15/letter-thanks-for-trash-collection-concerns-about-utility-work-notifications/

Let me explain why I’m writing this letter to you. It’s been a full month now since the trash strike began, and I think that you would agree that we’re handling this quite well as a community. But here’s the thing: whether residents notice this or not, between the extreme heat and the uneven and unpredictable trash pickups, it puts stress on people. It’s not the kind of stress that you experience when you’re in a car accident or lose a job.

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.