Obituaries
OBIT: Thomas Tripp, 57, Passion for Science, Avid Sci Fi Fan
|
Tom Tripp
Thomas Tripp of Watertown passed away unexpectedly on June 24th at the age of 57.
Planning Board Approves Accessory Unit in Carriage House Under ADU Ordinance
|
Types of accessory dwelling units, also called ADUs. (Graphic from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities)
The Watertown Planning Board has decided to conditionally approve a Site Plan Review for a new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) within the carriage house on a property on Hovey Street after a brief meeting on July 9.
Focus on Missed Trashed Pickups, Drop Off Site Open for Trash & Recycling All Week
Watertown DPWCurbside composting toters, like the one on the left, will be part of the Watertown trash and recycling program starting in August.
On Monday, replacement crews during the trash strike continued to collect any missed pickups from last week, so Monday pickups may not all be collected on July 14. The City will keep the drop off area for trash and recycling open from Monday to Friday during the week of July 14, with a limit of three bags of trash or equivalent recycling.
Trash Strike: Secretary of State Urges End of Strike, Republic’s Statement on Negotiations
A Watertown trash bin. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
As the trash strike impacting Watertown and more than a dozen communities nears a third week, the Massachusetts Secretary of State reached out to Republic Services urging an end to the strike. The company also issued a statement saying that the union “did not take negotiations seriously.”
Watertown Woman Used Her Experience With Chemo to Create Patient Care Kits
ChemoCareKits contain items to help people going through chemotherapy. (Photo from ChemoCareKits)
In 2020, Watertown’s Jessica Yamas went through treatment for breast cancer, including chemotherapy, and she used her experiences to create boxes full of items to help others going through cancer treatment.
More Headlines
Police Log: Employee Caught Stealing Cash from Register, Checks Taken from Mail Altered to More Than $31K
City to Seek Compensation for Trash Service Impacted by Strike, Pickups Slower Than Normal
Trash Collections Continue, Some Areas Still Awaiting Pickup
Government
City Council to Vote on Water & Sewer Rates, Increase Expected
|
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.
Around Town
Community Preservation Committee Accepting Applications for 2026
|
The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:
The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is accepting project applications for the FY 2026 funding round. Do you have an idea for an open space/outdoor recreation improvement, the preservation of a historic, or how to create affordable housing. Learn how to turn your good idea into a successful Community Preservation Act (CPA) project application.
Schools
See Which Watertown Students Made the Dean’s List, Earned College Honors During Spring 2025
|
Dozens of Watertown students earned honors at their colleges or universities during the spring semester of 2025. See the announcements sent by their institutions below.
Around Town
Arsenal Park Picnic, Pavilion Permit Applications Now Available
|
Arsenal Park’s renovation is nearly complete and the Watertown Recreation Department will accept permit applications for picnics and the pavilion. See more in the Recreation Department’s announcement, below.
Letters
LETTER: Residents Deserved a More Urgent Response to Trash Strike
|
(The following letter was sent to City Councilors on July 5, 2025)
Greetings Councilors:
Welcome to the East End of Watertown! Notice the attached five photographs, showing toters that continue to be positioned; up and down the streets; waiting for curbside waste collection last Thursday, July 3rd. Does anyone seek-out the City Website for community updates?
Government
Trash & Recycling Pickup Resumes This Week, Other Services Delayed
|
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.
Real Estate
15 Watertown Homes Were Sold This Week
|
Check out all the home sales in Watertown this week.