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

Watertown Group Screening Documentary on “Forever Chemicals”

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The following announcement was provide by Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee:

PFAS: Forever Chemicals; What They Mean for Our Health and What We Can Do

Want to learn more about PFAS? The chemicals are now almost everywhere, including in human blood, and are being linked to severe health problems.

Join the Environment & Energy Efficiency Committee for a screening of Bloomberg Investigation’s 2023 documentary “The Poison in Us All” followed by a discussion with Laurel Schaider from the Silent Spring Institute. Sunday September 28, 2-4 p.m.

Watertown Savings Bank Room

Watertown Free Public Library

Around Town

Free Fall Open House at Fly Together Fitness in Watertown

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Fly Together Fitness announced a community open house in Watertown. See details below. We will hold a free Open House on Sunday September 28th from 1-3 p.m. at our Watertown location (100 Parker Street) and we would love to invite the community! Attendees can learn about our studio, take a FREE mini class or two (including our non-pole classes!), and grab some great Intro Package deals! We will be running classes every 10-20 min, and attendees can participate in as many free classes as they’d like.

Around Town

Documentary Film About Armenians Displaced by War Premiering in Watertown

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The world premier of “A Suitcase to Home” will take place at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center in Watertown. (Contributed Photo)

The following announcement was provided by the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief:

Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR) Boston invites you to join us on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025 at 6 p.m. at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC) 47 Nichols Ave. Watertown, MA 02472 for the premiere of “A Suitcase to Home,” a remarkable documentary that not only won the prestigious Deauville Green Award, but also encapsulates the heart-wrenching struggles and unwavering spirit of the Armenian people. This film documents the profound challenges faced during the recent 44-day Artsakh War, the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, and the forced displacement of more than 120,000 Armenians from their homes in September 2023.

Around Town

Council Sees Plans for 2 Parks; Asks About Crosswalks Near Bemis Park, Facilities at How Park

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Drawings for the improvements at Bemis Park. Two parks on the westside of Watertown will be renovated in the near future, and City Councilors had questions about the features of the park, as well as the pedestrian crossings for one of the parks. Conceptual drawings of Bemis Park on Waltham Street, and How Park on Pleasant Street were presented by CBA Landscape Architects at the Sept. 8 Council meeting. The designs for Bemis Park, which features a little league baseball field, include a new playground, a splash pad, a porta-potty enclosure, and field improvements.

Around Town

Local Photographer Speaking About “Art & Agriculture: Who Grows Your Food?”

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

You may have already seen the stunning new photo triptych on loan in the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) stairwell. On Thursday evening, Sept. 18, the Library invites all community members to hear from the artist that created “Agricultural Panel B” — celebrated photographer and Watertown resident Archy LaSalle. During the program, LaSalle will discuss the vision and work that went into creating this compelling piece, as well as the relationships he made with immigrant farmers from World Farmers featured in it. World Farmers Program and Policy Director Jessy Gill will join us to talk about the organization’s mission and operations.

Around Town

Watertown Woman Appearing at Author Event, Walk in Memory of Her Significant Other

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Debra Smith will be speaking about her first book at an event in Harvard Square on Sept. 28. Watertown’s Debra Smith will be participating in a pair of events in memory of John R. Hope as part of Suicide Prevention month. Smith worked closely with Hope, and was his significant other for 10 years. “John was a caring, bright and kind elder law and estate planning attorney in Watertown, who donated his time to our community speaking at the senior centers, helping me at library events that I organized and was on the board of the Marshall Home Fund,” said Smith said.

Around Town

Removal of Pavement on Mt. Auburn St. Begins This Week

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The process of removing the old asphalt to prepare for the repaving of on Mt. Auburn Street will begin this week. Also, hydrant installation and sidewalk pouring will take place in the East End. See details in the City of Watertown’s announcement, below. Sidewalk Concrete Installation and Excavation

Sidewalk concrete installation and pouring will take place on the westbound side of Mount Auburn Street, between Belmont Street and Prentiss Street from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Concrete pouring is scheduled to take place between Belmont Street and Prentiss Street on Monday, September 15, 2025.