Around Town

City Calls for Art to Revitalize Coolidge Square During Mt. Auburn St. Construction

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A map of Coolidge Square showing possible installation locations. The City of Watertown today announced “Open for Business,” a new public art initiative inviting artists and artist teams to submit proposals for temporary outdoor art installations in Coolidge Square. This project aims to maintain the vibrancy of the neighborhood and support local businesses during the ongoing reconstruction of Mount Auburn Street. The extensive Mount Auburn Street reconstruction project, while essential for long-term revitalization, will undoubtedly cause temporary disruption to businesses in Coolidge Square. In response, the City of Watertown seeks to transform this period of change into an opportunity for community engagement and economic support through the power of public art.

Around Town

Group Seeking to Bring Food Co-op to Area Hosting Virtual Open House

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The Charles River Food Co-op will host an open house on Wednesday, July 23 at 8 p.m. The group has more than 950 members, and the remote open house is a chance to meet others interested in local, organic food. The Charles River Food Co-op sent out the following announcement:

Join us for our open house on Zoom to learn about our community-owned food co-op coming to Watertown, Waltham, and Newton!! What to expect:

Meet fellow community members passionate about local, organic food. Learn about our mission to bring affordable products and locally-sourced foods to our neighborhoods. Discover how our member-owned model puts community interests first.

Around Town

Sidewalk Excavation, Drainage Work Continues on Mt. Auburn St.

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During the week of July 21, sidewalk work will continue in East Watertown, and Drainage Work will take place in Coolidge Square. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown. Sidewalk Excavation Continues

Excavation of the westbound sidewalk on Mount Auburn Street between St. Mary Street and Prentiss Street will begin Monday, July 21, 2025 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learn about travel and parking impacts below. Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts

The westbound sidewalk will be closed for excavation starting Monday, July 21, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. A bypass sidewalk on the westbound side will be opened up while this work is being completed.

Around Town

Negotiations Fail to Reach Agreement in Trash Strike

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Watertown DPWWatertown trash and recycling and compost bins. The two sides met Friday to discuss the trash strike impacting more than a dozen other communities, including Watertown, but left without coming to an agreement. The strike began July 1, and replacement crews began collecting trash and recycling in Watertown on July 7. The crews, however, were not able to complete the full day’s run, and this week Watertown hired an outside contractor to assist with pickups. This week, City Manager George Proakis sent a letter to both the Teamsters and Republic asking them to end the strike.

Around Town

Registration Open for the 2025 Faire on the Square

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Watertown’s Faire on the Square returns to Saltonstall Park on Saturday, Sept. 13 from noon to 5 p.m.

Businesses, non-profits and organizations can register. Vendor registration will remain open through Friday, August 22, 2025. Due to space constraints, all participating vendors will be limited to a maximum of one 10×10′ space. Registration categories are expected to sell out.

Weather

Weather Forecast: A Couple Sunny Days Followed by Scattered Showers, Temps in Low 80s

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After one final burst of heat and humidity on Thursday, a cold front ushers in a more comfortable and seasonable pattern. Friday and Saturday look beautiful with sunshine, drier air, and lower dew points. A brief uptick in humidity returns Sunday with clouds and the chance for scattered showers. Early next week features pleasant summer weather with sunshine and average July temperatures. By mid to late week, warmth and humidity slowly build again, with a few chances for afternoon storms as another front approaches.

Around Town

Trash Strike: 6 Communities Seek Assistance in Court; Watertown Bringing in Help to Collect Trash, Recycling

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A Watertown trash bin. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

As the trash strike reaches 17 days, half a dozen affected communities have gone to court seeking assistance dealing with issues arising due to the strike. A complaint seeking injunctive relief from Republic Services to abate the public health problems resulting from the strike was filed Thursday by municipal leaders from Beverly, Gloucester, Malden, Peabody, Danvers and Canton in Essex County Superior Court in Salem, reports WCVB Channel 5. Beverly Mayor Mike Cahill sent an announcement to residents about the legal action, and noted that Beverly plans to assess Republic for liquidated damages for trash and recycling not being picked up, or delayed collection. Beverly plans to withhold the amount from its next payment to Republic Services.

Around Town

Visit Businesses South of the Charles River During Walk N Talk

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Charlie BreitroseThe Charles River from Watertown Square

The Watertown Business Coalition and Live Well Watertown will host a Walk N Talk of Watertown Square, south of the Charles River. The Watertown Square Walk N Talk will take place on Thursday, July 24 and stops include the new life science building at 66 Galen Street, Dallas Insurance, Farina’s Bicycle Shop, 1st Yard Barbers, and the City’s Parker Annex Building. The walk begins at 10 a.m. Meet and park at the Parker Annex Building (former school next to Casey Park) at 124 Watertown St. Register here! The Walk N Talk, co-sponsored with Live Well Watertown, provides an opportunity to engage with fellow community members, support local Watertown businesses and participate in physical activity.