City to Seek Compensation for Trash Service Impacted by Strike, Pickups Slower Than Normal

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

The City of Watertown will be seeking compensation for the service interruption. While trash and recycling collection has restarted, City officials said that the backup crews are taking longer than normal, and recycling will not be prioritized while the company continues contract negotiations. Also, the Recycling Center will remain closed, causing the cancellation of a planned event. On July 1, members of Teamsters Local 25 went on strike demanding changes to the contract with Republic Services.

Life Science Company Moving from Cambridge to Watertown

An illustration of the plans for the former Mount Auburn Club at 99 Coolidge Ave. A life science company will relocate from Cambridge to Watertown, and will lease a space on Coolidge Avenue. Foghorn Therapeutics will move its 112 employees from Kendall Square to 99 Coolidge Ave., the former Mount Auburn Club owned by the National Development and Alexandria Real Estate Equities, reported the Boston Business Journal. “We are very excited about this move and for most of our employees, the commute will be shorter,” Karin Hellsvik, Foghorn’s VP of corporate affairs told the BBJ’s Hannah Green. The company will lease 72,850 sq.

Trash Collection Resumes, Emergency Trash Option Available

Watertown DPWTrash and recycling pickups resumed Monday. Republic Services resumed trash and recycling pickup on Monday, while contract negotiations continue. Residents who have overflowing garbage bins can drop off items at a drop off location. Trash can be dropped off at 148 Waltham St. on Tuesday, July 8 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., City officials announced Monday.

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

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.

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. While trash and curbside recycling resumes, the City’s Recycling Center will not be open, and curbside yard waste collection will not resume this week. See more details in the announcement from the City below:

Trash and recycling curbside pickup in Watertown will resume on Monday, July 7, 2025.