Around Town

Residents Could See & Hear Impacts from City Water Valve Exercising Program

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The City of Watertown provided information about the Valve Exercising Program and the Fire Hydrant Flushing Program. Valve Exercising Program

What is Valve Exercising?Valves are crucial components in municipal water systems, controlling water flow in our distribution mains. Valve exercising is the process of opening and closing valves to ensure they continue to function properly. Over time, valves can seize or become stiff due to corrosion, mineral buildup or lack of use. Exercising helps break up any buildup and allows operators to inspect the valve for signs of decay or malfunction.

Government

City Manager’s Reflection One-Week After the End of the Trash Strike

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Full trash bins during the recently-ended trash strike. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown City Manager George Proakis sent out the following piece on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. As we end the first week of fall and reflect upon the summer that saw our regular trash and recycling services disrupted by the labor strike between Republic Services and their unionized workforce, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the community for their continued understanding and the members of City staff for their hard work. Back when the strike began on July 1, 2025, and it became clear that Republic Services were not able to deliver services to our community, regardless of their prior assurances, our DPW Director Tom Brady, the Recycling Program Manager Matt Bacon, and our Communications Team began working together hour-by-hour to ensure effective messaging out to the community, and dedicating themselves to finding a creative solution to the problem facing Watertown.

Elections

LETTER from Candidate for Councilor At Large Tom Tracy

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Hello Watertown Residents,

My name is Tom Tracy and I am running for City Councilor at Large. I was born and raised in this wonderful community. For those of you who don’t know me, I proudly served Watertown as the Town/City Auditor for over 29 years. For the last seven years of my career, I was also the Assistant City Manager for Finance and then Acting City Manager following the retirement of Michael Driscoll until the hiring of George Proakis. I believe that I bring a unique experience to the job of being a City Councilor.

Entertainment

Small Saves Hits the Road in This Week’s Cartoon

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James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Around Town

Flu Vaccine Clinics Being Hosted by Watertown Public Health Department

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The Watertown Public Health Department will host two flu vaccine clinics for seniors, and three more for residents age 9 and up. See more information about the clinics provided by the Health Department, below. 2025 SENIOR FLU VACCINE CLINIC

Watertown Public Health Department offers Influenza Vaccine (Standard/High dose) to Watertown Senior Residents at the Watertown Senior Center 31 Marshall St, Watertown, MA 02472

Tuesday Oct. 21, 2025 4 – 6 p.m.Please use the following link to registerhttps://home.color.com/vaccine/register/watertown/startFlow?calendar=2c664615-356c-49c3-a12d-4afb4ecbdafc&site=watertown-senior-center

Tuesday Oct. 14, 2025 4 – 6 p.m.

Please use the following link to registerhttps://home.color.com/vaccine/register/watertown?calendar=91f6ec7d-f825-4c7d-b48c-dca397d45e43&site=watertown-senior-center

Contact 617-972-6446

– Please bring your ID and health insurance card(s) to the clinic.

Entertainment

Still Time to Register for Watertown’s Got Talent 2025

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Watertown’s Got Talent has become an annual event at Arsenal Yards. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The following information came form Arsenal Yards:

Think you got what it takes to be the 2025 Watertown’s Got Talent Superstar? Apply Now! Email us your talent description and video at hello@arsenalyards.com TODAY for a chance to compete! All applications are due by Monday, September 29th.

Around Town

Watertown Hires New Veterans Services Officer, Who Will Also Serve as the ADA Coordinator

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Watertown hired a new Veterans Services Officer, who is a Navy and Army National Guard veteran with experience in frontline medical care, and most recently worked in the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services. See the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. The City of Watertown is excited to introduce Jerome (Jay) Terminiello as the City’s Veterans Services Officer (VSO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator. Jay joins the City having served 6 years with the Navy, and 3 years with the Army National Guard. During his time with the Navy, Jay delivered frontline medical care to Marines and Sailors, as well as facilitated access to physical and mental health resources to those serving.

Around Town

Watertown Library Hosting Teen For Freedom Sign Making

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

Inspired by the artist-led organization For Freedoms, the Watertown Free Public Library Teen Department is helping to ensure that the voices of Watertown teens are heard this coming local election season. Beginning September 20, young people ages 13-17 are invited to the Library to create signs that express what issues are most important them, as teens living in Watertown. The signs will be installed on the front lawn of the Library in mid-October. Inspired by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” — freedom of speech, freedom to worship, freedom from want, freedom from fear — the For Freedoms project is designed to encourage teens to think deeply about what values are important to them. Each sign represents one young person’s viewpoint.