Around Town

Main Street to Remain Closed for Oil Spill Cleanup, Will Reopen This Weekend

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The spill of mineral oil over the surface of Main Street will take a few more days to clean up, meaning the stretch of road will remain closed through Saturday at the earliest, said Watertown Public Works Superintendent Gerry Mee. 

The oil must be cleaned off the road surface, and the remaining oil (from the casing of an Eversource electrical line) must be removed before the line can be repaired. The process is a lengthy one, Mee said. “They have to freeze the line above and below the point where it broke to stop the last oil from leaking out,” Mee said. “The freezing process takes 24 hours.” To clean the road, sand is put down followed by Speedy Dry, which soaks up the oil, and then the area must be power brushed and swept up, Mee said.

Government

Parts of Common Street Closing for Construction Starting This Week

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The Watertown Department of Public Works announced that the construction project on Common Street will soon begin, and the street will be closed much of the day. 

The project includes creating a roundabout at the intersection of Common Street, Orchard Street and Church Street. Also, the intersection with Spring Street will be redesigned. The DPW sent out the following announcement:
Beginning Monday, July 23, Common Street will be closed between Mt. Auburn Street and Orchard Street between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., with local access provided to abutters and Middlesex Road residents only. The closure will also include the intersection of Spring Street — there will be no access to Common Street from Spring Street.

Government

DPW to Present Proposed Plan to Redesign Watertown Square at Meeting

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A proposed plan to redesign Watertown Square and the roads around it will be presented during a meeting hosted by the Department of Public Works on July 10. 

When: Tuesday, July 10, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Where: Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room, 123 Main St., Watertown

The Town of Watertown is redesigning Watertown Square to improve mobility and safety for all users (including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and vehicles). At this interactive Open House, staff will present the Complete Streets concept plan for Watertown Square and its transportation and environmental benefits. We will also share the results of traffic data collection and analysis completed since the October 30, 2017 Public Works Subcommittee meeting, and the concept plans and alternatives for Charles River Road. Staff will be available to answer your questions and listen to your feedback. Please stop by anytime between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. to learn more and provide comments.

DPW

See the Latest Designs for Mt. Auburn Street at Meeting Hosted by DPW

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The latest plans for how Mt. Auburn Street will be renovated will be on display at a Department of Public Works meeting on May 14, 2018. The Town of Watertown is redesigning Mt. Auburn Street with a “Complete Streets” approach, which seeks to to improve safety and better accommodate all users: vehicles, transit, bicycles, and pedestrians. The meeting will be similar to the one held in February, but while that meeting focused on Coolidge Square, this one will encompass the entire length of the Mt.

Around Town

Recycle Styrofoam, Shred Paper and Get Rid of Tires at DPW Event

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Watertown’s Department of Public Works will host a special recycling event where styrofoam will be collected, paper will be shredded and tires will be taken. The recycle event will be on Saturday, May 5, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is for Watertown residents only, ID will be required. Also, no commercial or business items.

Clean, white styrofoam will be accepted, including cups and trays, but no foam peanuts or colored styrofoam. Paper will also be shredded and tires will be accepted, but no rims.

The event will be at the DPW’s Recycling Center on Green River Way, off Waltham Street. Directions: West from Watertown Square on Pleasant Street, North (right) on Bridge Street, West (left) on Waltham Street and South (left) on Green River Way.

Around Town

Snow Emergency Declared in Watertown for Wednesday’s Snow Storm & Beyond

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The Watertown Department of Public Works has declared a Snow Emergency, meaning on-street parking will be banned. The Snow Emergency begins at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 and is in effect until further notice. Cars will not be allowed to be parked on the streets of Watertown at any time, and those on the street are subject to towing. See options for parking your car if you do not have off-street parking and more information about the snow emergency below in the announcement from the Watertown DPW:

A winter weather event is predicted with high winds and between 3 to 6 inches of snow accumulation and potentially 8 to 10 inches depending upon where the storm’s rain/snow line forms. The Superintendent of Public Works has declared a snow emergency effective 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, 2018 and will remain in effect until further notice. Parking Ban – On street parking will be banned and any motor vehicle left on the street will be subject to towing until further notice.

Around Town

Snow Cleanup Continues for Watertown DPW After Storm Drops More than a Foot

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With a storm that lasted most of Thursday, and dropped North of a foot of snow, Watertown’s Department of Public Works crews have been busy the last couple days. 

Snow totals in the area show that more than a foot of snow fell in Watertown. The National Weather Service reports that West Newton got 15 inches and it measured 13 inches in Arlington. The storm was a tough one to handle, said DPW Superintendent Gerry Mee. “It was not the biggest accumulation but because of the cold temperatures and intensity of the storm it was very difficult,” Mee said. The snow emergency and all-day parking ban will remain in place for now because roads have been narrowed by the snow, Mee said.

Around Town

Watertown Declares Snow Emergency; Schools, Town Hall, Other Facilities Closed

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{Updated on Jan. 4, 2018 at 2:38 p.m.}

With a foot or more of snow expected in Watertown, the Department of Public Works has announced a snow emergency starting at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, and Town offices and facilities will be closed on Thursday. The Watertown Public Schools will be closed, Superintendent Dede Galdston sadid in an announcement:
“Due to the incoming snow storm, all Watertown Public Schools will be CLOSED tomorrow, Thursday, January 4. All school-related and extracurricular activities are canceled tomorrow as well. Stay warm and be safe!”