Police/Fire

Watertown Police Announce July’s Officer of the Month

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Officer Colton Bailey

The Watertown Police Department named the Officer of the Month for July 2025. See details in the WPD’s announcement below. Please join us in congratulating Officer Colton Bailey, who has been named the Watertown Police Department’s Officer of the Month for July. Officer Bailey has consistently demonstrated professionalism, initiative, and leadership while serving on C Platoon. Known for his proactive work ethic and commitment to public safety, he also serves as a mentor to newer officers, helping to build their skills and confidence.

Letters

LETTER: Community Preservation Committee Should Prioritize Senior & Special Needs Housing

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Dear Editor,

The recording of the Annual Public CPC Meeting is not up. I had submitted an email since I could not attend. I thank those on the board who took the time to engage with it. I am part of Housing for All Watertown (HAW), and it is no secret that I am pro dentistry and diversity. However, the email (see below) was written from the lens of someone who deeply cares about persons with special needs and having family age in place with others. 

The call for CPC funds to be allocated to more housing is not new to the CPC board, and it predates the formation of HAW. There are 4 and half pages on housing needs per the board’s 2022 Annual Year-End Report.  https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/0e2ac721-212a-4561-b2a6-6abdd04c8ebc?cache=1800

As I noted in my email, the Affordable Housing Trust has made the call for more Senior and Special Needs housing. We live in a time when loneliness and lack of community is a scourge on society. Many senior citizens cannot afford to move into a communal residence, nor can their houses accommodate an extended family situation. Who is left to tend to these senior citizens?  Their neighbors, if available and willing. The disabilities community is in worse shape in terms of loneliness and housing. The Commonwealth has great services and people from all over the nation come here for those services. With The Perkins School and other facilities, Watertown, in particular, has been a community that supports persons with disabilities.

Around Town

Trash Strike Continues, See When Pickups Could Resume

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Watertown DPWWatertown’s trash and recycling pick up will be cancelled for Wednesday, July 2. The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Curbside trash and recycling pickup is cancelled on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, and for the remainder of this week, due to the on-going labor strike between the City’s contractor, Republic Services and their unionized workforce. Today, Republic Services informed the City of Watertown, in writing, that they will mobilize crews to provide curbside trash and recycling collection beginning again on Monday, July 7, 2025. If this does not occur, we will provide further information as it is available. Our Public Works and Communications team are communicating with the Republic Services’ team.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Launches Summer Matching Fund Campaign

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) launched a summer matching gift campaign to raise $25,000 in gifts and unlock up to $25,000 in matching gifts, made possible by individual donations from Watertown Community Foundation board members and other community supporters. Through July 25, 2025, all gifts to the Watertown Community Foundation will be matched, dollar for dollar — to double the amount, and the impact, of every donation. “We have this remarkable opportunity,” said Lauren Coughlin Unsworth, Foundation Board Co President. “The Watertown Community Foundation has a history of responding to challenging times; first during the 2008 recession, and most recently during the COVID pandemic. Many of our local non-profits are bracing for major funding cuts – planning for staff cuts or program changes, if necessary.

Letters

LETTER: City-Endorsed Home Energy Assessment Company Should Not Solicit Tenants

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Greetings Councilors,

By now, I anticipate most residents have received, or seen, the City’s HomeWorks Energy communications. Receipt would have been on, or about Monday, June 23rd. The signatory of the documents is George J. Proakis, Watertown City Manager. Many of you are aware; I do not rent-out the second unit of my East End family property. Therefore, I am very “house poor”.

Around Town

Trash & Recycling Pickup in Watertown Cancelled Tuesday Due to Strike

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The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

Republic Services, Watertown’s trash and recycling contractor, has informed the City of Watertown that they were unable to reach an agreement with their employee union before the deadline on June 30, 2025, resulting in a labor strike beginning today, July 1, 2025. As a result, Republic Services is unable to provide curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste pickup on July 1, 2025, and the Watertown Recycling Center will be closed. The City’s composting program run by Black Earth remains on schedule. We remain in constant contact with Republic Services about contingency plans and we expect to make an announcement later today, July 1, 2025, with updates regarding tomorrow’s schedule. While this dispute is between a contractor and their employee union, we understand the impact this can have on our community and are remaining in contact with Republic Services and will be sharing an update today on the City’s website, social media, and the Everbridge Emergency Alert system.

Entertainment

Mosesian Center for the Arts Announces New Executive Director

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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.

Around Town

Marshall Home Fund Celebrates 20th Anniversary

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Marshall Home Fund celebrated its 20th anniversary. (Courtesy of Marshall Home Fund)

The following information came from the Marshall Home Fund:

Marshall Home Fund’s 20th anniversary celebration took place May 15, 2025. Participants included community members who have contributed to both the Marshall Home and Marshall Home Fund’s success. Board members, ex-officio board members, new grantees, returning grant recipients, public servants, friends and family attended. The celebration was shared with the 2025 grant recipients. (Courtesy of Marshall Home Fund)

The event included a video which featured the Marshall Home, dating back to 1903, as well as the people who keep Marshall Home Fund vibrant and effective helping those 55 years and older living in the city of Watertown.