Around Town

2024 Watertown Trash & Recycling Calendar Out, Includes 1 More Yard Waste Collection

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The Department of Public Works released the Watertown trash and recycling pickup schedule, along with the yard waste collection weeks. In 2024, there will be 26 yard waste collection weeks, one more than 2023, including three in the month of April. The first yard waste collection will be the week of April 8. Twelve weeks will have holiday trash delays for at least some residents. Watertown’s 2024 Trash and Recycle calendar is available online.

Government

Watertown Public Works Front Office Hours Changing

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The Department of Public Works facility on Orchard Street will be opening and closing earlier in the day starting the week of Dec. 18. The DPW asked the City Council to make the changes because many contractors start before the old opening time of 8:30 a.m. and wanted to do business with the department. Some councilors asked if residents would be coming over in the afternoon and no longer be able to speak to someone at the DPW front desk. Public Works Superintendent Greg St.

Government

City Responds to Complaints About Highland Ave. Road Project

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Crews work on Highland Street over the summer as part of the ongoing road reconstruction project. A combination of weather and challenges with contractors have delayed a major road project in Watertown, said City Manager George Proakis, but there are steps being taken to prevent such delays. Last week, for the second meeting in a row, City Councilors got an earful from residents dissatisfied with various aspects of the Highland Avenue project. Many complained about the lengthy amount time that the project has taken to be completed (and more work still remains), and that sidewalks are often left torn up for an extended amout of time. Others said their driveways have been narrowed after years of having wider entrances, and some were upset about the safety of school children crossing at Copland Street to get to Cunniff Elementary School and at Lexington Street heading towards Watertown Middle School.

Around Town

DPW Hosting Halloween Costume & Clothing Swap Event

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Save the date for the Halloween Costume and Clothing Swap, and General Clothing/Textile Recycling Turn-in Event. The Department of Public Works (DPW) is hosting a spooky-themed costume swap, and general clothing and textile recycling event. This is an EVENING event on Thursday, October 26, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the DPW parking lot, located at 124 Orchard St. Bring your old Halloween costumes to swap and give them a new life! Come look for this year’s costume.

Government

Reorganization of City Government Includes Changes to Planning, DPW and Other Departments

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When the City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, they also approved a reorganization of Watertown’s municipal government. Some changes impact who directly reports to the City Manager or the Deputy Manager. Other positions have been moved into new departments, and some departments have been split into divisions. One department with new divisions is Community Development and Planning, which will have Planning and Building Divisions and a third for community events and the Commander’s Mansion. The Planning Division includes a Current Planning Group and a Planning Director to oversee long-range planning.

Around Town

Watertown’s Goose Dog is on the Job!

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City of WatertownVee, Watertown’s goose control dog, has arrived in town! Vee, the dog brought to Watertown for geese control, has arrived in town and has already gotten down to work. The Watertown DPW’s Parks/Cemetery Supervisor Bob DiRicco and his wife picked Vee up at the training facility in Leesburg, Virginia, and drove her back to Watertown over the Patriots Day Weekend. On Tuesday Vee started work. City of WatertownVee and the DPW’s Bob DiRico visited City Manager George Proakis in City Hall Tuesday.

Around Town

Free Curbside Compost Bins Available for Watertown Residents

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Watertown DPWCurbside composting toters, like the one on the left, will be part of the Watertown trash and recycling program starting in August. The Watertown Department of Public Works announced that the City received compost bins which can be used with Watertown’s free curbside compost program. The City of Watertown sent out the following information:

“1000 new FREE residential compost bins have been delivered, paid for by a grant from MassDEP! Enrollment in Watertown’s FREE curbside compost program is open for an April 2023 start. Sign up today and your new bin and liners will be delivered the first week of April. www.blackearthcompost.com/watertown,” the announcement reads.

Around Town

Watertown Purchasing Dog to Chase Geese From Parks and Fields

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City of WatertownVee, a border collie, will soon be arriving in Watertown where she will chase geese away from City-owned fields and parks. Watertown’s newest employee will get plenty of exercise, time outdoors, and her reward for doing a good job will be treats — doggie treats. Vee, Watertown’s goose control dog, will soon be patrolling the parks and fields around the City to make sure the flocks of birds don’t get too comfortable or leave their marks. She will live with and accompany Department of Public Works Parks and Cemetery Supervisor Bob DiRico to work, said Watertown City Manager George Proakis. “In a few days Mr. DiRico will go to Leesburg, Virginia, to pick up Vee,” Proakis told the City Council on Tuesday.