Government

Negotiations in Trash Strike End Friday With No Deal, One Affected Town May Terminate Contract

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Uncollected trash bins in Watertown on July 11 due to the trash strike that began July 1. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The two sides met for several hours on Friday but failed to come to an agreement that would end the trash strike that began on July 1, 2025. Some communities impacted by the strike are seeking damages and have threatened to end the contract with the trash contractor. The negotiations between Republic Services and Teamsters Local 25 took place with the assistance of federal mediation. The two sides met for 9.5 hours, according to a statement from Teamsters Local 25, and negotiations will resume on Tuesday, July 15.

Government

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

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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.

Government

Trash & Recycling Pickup Resumes This Week, Other Services Delayed

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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.

Government

Watertown City Manager, Municipal Leaders Urge Swift Resolution to Trash Strike

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Watertown DPWWatertown trash and recycling pickup has been uncollected since July 1 when workers at Republic Services went on strike. Watertown City Manager George Proakis joined several mayors, town managers, and town administrators urging company Republic Services to come to a deal to end the strike that has stopped trash and recycling collection since July 1, 2025. The letter also identifies weaknesses in the company’s response to the situation, including slowness of deploying backup resources and lack of communication. See the letter below. Dear Members of the Republic Services Leadership Team,

We write to you as municipal leaders from across the region and as customers of Republic Services, regarding the ongoing work stoppage caused by stalled union negotiations.

Government

Funds Approved to Update Part of Parker Building, Build New Home for Watertown Food Pantry

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The Parker Annex Building (Courtesy of City of Watertown)

Tuesday night, the City Council approved funds to renovate the Parker Annex Building to set up a new home for the Watertown Food Pantry, update and rehabilitate the building, and bring it up to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. On June 24, the Council unanimously approved borrowing $5.778 million to pay costs of renovating the Parker Annex Building, the former school building that became an office building before being reacquired by the City in 2023. City Manager George Proakis the money will be combined with the $326,890 in ARPA and other funds set aside for setting up the Watertown Food Pantry in the Parker Building, and $104,000 (also approved Tuesday) to cover the cost above the project estimate. “We’re excited about this project. What this project accomplishes is it builds out the second floor for the (Department of) Community Development and Planning,” he said.

Government

Funds to Improve Track & Courts, Create New Entrance at Victory Field Approved

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The Victory Field Phase II project includes renovation of the track, courts, and the driveway in the complex. Several years after the planning began for improvements to the track oval and tennis and basketball courts area at Victory Field, funding for the project was approved by the City Council Tuesday night. The final recommendation for the project was approved in 2018, but the project was pushed back on the City’s list of capital projects until this year. On June 24, Councilors unanimously approved borrowing $8.9 million to pay for construction and reconstruction of parts of the municipal outdoor recreational and athletic facilities located at Victory Field. The project is the second phase of improvements to the Victory Field athletic facilities, coming after the improvements to the stadium area (where sports including football, soccer and field hockey play) and the baseball diamond.

Government

Watertown Community Preservation Committee Holding Annual Public Meeting

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Join the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) for a Public Hearing — your chance to stay informed, get answers to your questions, and help shape the future of Watertown! When: Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 7 p.m.

Where: Watertown City Hall, Lower Hearing RoomOr join us via Zoom: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/91525442843

What’s Happening:

Project Updates: Get the latest news about the Walker Pond and Saltonstall Park projects. Learn about newly approved Community Preservation Act (CPA) projects. Have a great idea? Find out how you can apply for CPA funds to make it happen! Questions?Reach out to Lanae Handy, Community Preservation Coordinator at lhandy@watertown-ma.gov or visit www.watertown-ma.gov/cpc for more details.

Environment

Group Calls for Legislature to “Cut the Crap,” Support Bill to End Sewage Flows into the Charles River

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The Charles River Watershed Association announced that the bill asking to end sewage overflows that drain into the Charles River. There are 10 places where sewage can mix with stormwater and flow into the river, according to the CRWA. None are in Watertown, but one is near Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge and another is in Brighton near the Harvard athletic fields. The bill will be heard by the State Legislature on June 17.