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News & Announcements
Trash and Recycling Update - Monday, July 14, 2025
See below the update from the City of Watertown regarding trash and recycling curbside pickup:
- Republic Services is doing trash and recycling curbside pickup today, Monday, July 14, 2025, completing any final missed pickups reported from Thursday and Friday of last week.
- Once completed, Republic Services will begin to complete Monday A week trash and recycling curbside pickup.
- We do not anticipate Monday pickups to be completed today, and we request only Monday and Tuesday week A curbside pickup to put your trash and recycling on the curb for pickup tomorrow, Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
- Please continue to put your bins out at the curb on the day of your scheduled trash and recycling pickup. Keep them on the curb until pickup, and please wait to report a missed pickup 48 hours after your scheduled day.
- Curbside pickup remains delayed this week due to the replacement crews’ unfamiliarity with the area, understaffing, and other limitations.
The City of Watertown is taking the steps below to help limit impacts of service delays:
- An emergency trash and recycling drop-off site at 148 Waltham Street will be open Monday-Friday this week (7/14 – 7/18) from 7:30am – 3:30pm for residents wishing to drop-off any overflow trash and recycling. Please limit your drop-off to 3 bags of household trash and/or the equivalent amount of recycling that would fit in your bins. Please prepare to show a license or utility bill to confirm Watertown residency.
- The City has contracted additional trash and recycling vendors to support curbside pickups, dumpster pickup, and City barrels around Watertown as well.
- The City’s curbside composting program remains unaffected. All are encouraged to sign up for the free program at Black Earth Compost and help reduce trash odor and rodents.
Details regarding missed pickups:
- Please wait to report a missed pickup for 48 hours due to anticipated delays.
- Residents are encouraged to report a missed pickup just one time between scheduled pickups to the City’s 311 Service Center, on SeeClickFix or the Watertown MA App.
- Your reported missed pickup will be added to a list and reported to Republic Services, who will return to the missed pickup as soon as resources are available to do so.
We greatly appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during this time. Please continue to stay up to date at watertown-ma.gov/republicstrike. The City will continue to share updates and keep the FAQs current as the week progresses.
To receive email or SMS announcements about trash, recycling, and more, please create an account and sign up for Watertown News and Announcements.
Empowering Women in Watertown: Summer Workshop
Join us at the Commander’s Mansion on Thursday, August 14, 2025, from 8–10AM for the second installment of our Empowering Women initiative, presented by the Watertown Business Coalition & City Events Team!
- Hear from inspiring keynote speakers in our Watertown public safety departments
- Presentation topics will include wellness, communication & community action
- Network, share resources & enjoy a light breakfast
Online registration is now open. Advance registration is only $10 ($15 at the door). Add on a professional headshot session for just $15! This event is open to everyone interested in empowering and supporting women in the workforce and Watertown community.
Trash and Recycling Update: July 11, 2025 – Trash & Recycling Pickup to Continue Saturday
Republic Services has informed the City that they will provide curbside pickup tomorrow, Saturday, July 12, 2025, to continue their efforts in collecting missed trash and recycling pickups from this week. If you have had a missed pickup this week, please leave your missed bin(s) at the curb.
Starting on Monday, July 14, 2025, Week A trash and recycling curbside pickup will resume as regularly scheduled.
The City’s emergency trash and recycling drop-off site at 148 Waltham Street will be closed over the weekend (July 12 & 13). The drop-off site will reopen on Monday, July 14, 2025, from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Please limit your drop-off to 3 bags of household trash and/or the equivalent amount of recycling that would fit in your bins.
If you have called the City this week to report a missed pickup, the City has documented that missed pickup and continues to share an updated list with Republic Services.
For those with scheduled pickup on Friday, July 11, 2025, whose trash or recycling was missed, please submit a request via SeeClickFix or the Watertown MA App. We will be adding these to the list for Republic Services.
Please stay up to date at watertown-ma.gov/republicstrike and read the regularly updated FAQs. There you can also find the latest letter sent by Watertown’s City Manager and other Municipal Leaders to Republic Services. The City will make another announcement Monday, July 14, 2025, to keep residents updated. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding.
To receive email or SMS announcements about trash, recycling, and more, please create an account and sign up for Watertown News and Announcements.
Letter to Members of the Republic Services Leadership Team
Read the July 11, 2025, letter to Members of the Republic Services Leadership Team from Mayor Verga, City of Gloucester; Jill Cahill, Danvers Town Manager; Mayor Cahill, City of Beverly; Charles E. Doody, Canton Town Administrator; Thomas G. Younger, Ipswich Interim Town Manager; Robert Dolan, Lynnfield Town Administrator; Mayor Christenson, City of Malden; Tony Barletta, Manchester-by-the-Sea Town Administrator; Mayor Bettencourt, City of Peabody; Gino Cresta, Swampscott Interim Town Administrator; Kevin Gill, Wakefield, Interim Town Administrator; George Proakis, Watertown City Manager, on the Trash and Recycling Strike Updates page.
Watertown Trash and Recycling Curbside Pickup Update – July 10, 2025
- Curbside pickup will continue tomorrow, Friday, July 11, 2025, with regularly scheduled Friday B week service in Watertown.
- The City is aware delays and missed pickups have occurred during Republic Services’ curbside pickup service this week. Delays have been caused by the replacement crews’ unfamiliarity with Watertown and travel times, among other factors.
- Please continue to leave your bins out if your scheduled trash or recycling pickup was missed. If you have called the City this week to report a missed pickup, the City has documented that missed pickup and continues to share an updated list with Republic Services. Republic Services is returning to previously missed pickups at the end of each day.
- For those with scheduled pickup on Thursday, July 10, 2025, whose trash or recycling was missed, please contact the City's 311 Service Center, or submit a request via SeeClickFix or the Watertown MA App.
- The City has requested Republic Services to provide Saturday service this weekend to complete any missed pickups that have occurred and are not returned to before Friday. We will announce updates regarding this request as soon as we have them.
- The City will continue to operate an emergency trash and recycling drop-off site at 148 Waltham Street on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 7:30am – 3:30pm. Please limit your drop off to 3-bags of household trash and/or an equivalent amount of recycling that would go into your bins.
Please stay up to date at watertown-ma.gov/republicstrike and read the regularly updating FAQs. The City will make another announcement tomorrow, Friday, July 11, 2025, to keep residents updated. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding.
To receive email or SMS announcements about trash, recycling, and more, please create an account and sign up for Watertown News and Announcements.
Republic Services Strike morning update, July 10, 2025
The City remains aware of the delays and missed pickups that have occurred during Republic Services’ curbside pickup service on Monday-Wednesday this week. Delays have been caused by the replacement crews’ unfamiliarity with Watertown and travel times, among other factors. We have requested for Republic Services to provide Saturday service this week to complete any missed pickups that occur and are not returned to before Friday. We will announce updates regarding this request as the week progresses. Please continue to leave your bins out if your scheduled trash or recycling pickup was missed.
If you have overflow trash and recycling, the City continues to operate an emergency trash and recycling drop-off site at 148 Waltham Street on Thursday, July 10 and Friday, July 11, 2025, from 7:30am – 3:30pm each day. Please limit your household trash and recycling to 3-bags (or equivalent of) that would go into your bins.
If you have called the City this week to report a missed pickup, the City has documented that missed pickup and continues to share an updated list with Republic Services. Republic Services is returning to previously missed pickups at the end of each day.
Please stay up to date at watertown-ma.gov/republicstrike and read the regularly updating FAQs.
To receive email or SMS announcements about trash, recycling, and more, please create an account and sign up for Watertown News and Announcements.
Watertown Trash and Recycling Curbside Pickup Update – July 9, 2025
Curbside pickup will continue tomorrow, Thursday, July 10, 2025, with regularly scheduled Thursday B week services in Watertown. Republic Services replacement crews were in Watertown collecting trash and recycling today, July 9, 2025.
The City remains aware of delays in service and missed pickups that have occurred this week. Please continue to leave your barrels out if your trash and/or recycling was missed. The City is regularly updating a list of missed pickups and sharing details with Republic Services, who return to previously missed pickups at the end of their routes each day. If you have reported a missed pickup this week to the 311 Service Center, on SeeClickFix, or the Watertown MA app, we will ensure Republic Services remains aware as missed pickups are returned to this week.
For those with scheduled pickup on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, whose trash or recycling was missed, please contact the City's 311 Service Center, or submit a request via SeeClickFix or the Watertown MA App. We greatly appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as service continues here in Watertown.
The City continues to operate an emergency drop-off site located at 148 Waltham Street in Watertown where residents experiencing significant overflow and hardship can drop off limited amounts of trash and recycling. This location will be open Thursday, July 10, and Friday, July 11, 2025, from 7:30am – 3:30pm each day. Space is limited, so we request residents limit to disposing of 3 bags of household trash, and an equivalent of recycling. Bulk items are prohibited, and residents will be required to show a license or utility bill at the opening gate to verify Watertown residency.
The Recycling Center remains closed at this time and yard waste collection remains cancelled due to the on-going Republic Services labor strike.
We encourage everyone to visit watertown-ma.gov/republicstrike to receive the latest updates regarding this situation, and to read the regularly updated FAQs.
To receive email or SMS announcements about trash, recycling, and more, please create an account and sign up for Watertown News and Announcements.
Commander's Mansion Celebrates 160 Years (Updated)
The 160th anniversary celebration for the Commander's Mansion has been postponed and rescheduled for Friday, September 19, 2025, from 6:30-10pm. All current ticket holders will be notified today (please check the email used to purchase your tickets for more information).
Tickets for the rescheduled date will remain available for purchase online at CM160.planningpod.com through September 12, 2025, or until the maximum capacity has been reached.
We appreciate your understanding and can't wait to celebrate this historic milestone with you.
Watertown Trash and Recycling Curbside Pickup Update – July 8, 2025
Curbside pickup will continue tomorrow, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, with regularly scheduled Wednesday B week services in Watertown. Republic Services replacement crews were in Watertown collecting trash and recycling today, July 8, 2025, for those with Tuesday trash pickup, and B week recycling pickup.
The City is aware that delays and missed pickups did occur on Monday and Tuesday this week. The City is communicating the reported missed pickups with Republic Services each day as they work to complete each day’s route and return to previously missed pickups. The City greatly appreciates your patience and understanding.
If your trash or recycling was missed on Monday or Tuesday this week, we request you leave your barrels out tomorrow, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. You can report a missed pickup by contacting the City's 311 Service Center, or by submitting a request via SeeClickFix or the Watertown MA App. For those with Wednesday trash or recycling pickup, please leave barrels out all day into the evening and report a missed pickup only if the barrel has not been picked up by the following morning using the above channels.
The Watertown Recycling Center remains closed at this time, as Republic Services is unable to provide staff to operate it and haul recycling materials at this time. Yard waste pickup remains cancelled this week. The Swap Shop at the Watertown Recycling Center, that was scheduled for July 12, 2025, will be rescheduled to a future date due to the Recycling Center being operated by Republic Services.
Residents with overflow trash caused by last week’s work stoppage may visit the City’s website for information on how to dispose of extra bags. We will continue to update this information regularly, so please check back daily for the latest information.
We encourage everyone to visit watertown-ma.gov/republicstrike to receive the latest updates regarding this situation, and to read the FAQs.
Introducing the new Watertown Sharps Kiosk Program that has been initiated by the Watertown Health Department
A new sharps kiosk is now available inside the Parker Building, located at 124 Watertown St. Watertown, near the back door of the building.
The doors to the Parker Building are unlocked for normal City Hall hours, from 8:30am-5pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays; from 8:30am-7pm Tuesdays; and from 8:30am-12:30pm on Fridays.
Follow These Easy Steps to Safely Place Sharps in a Collection Bin:
1. Place sharps into a sealed, puncture-resistant container with a capacity of ≤ 1 gallon
2. Securely close and/or seal the container
3. Place Container in Bin
No loose needles!
Need Help?
Call: Watertown Health Department at 617-972-6446
Visit: Third Floor, Suite 3G, Watertown Health Department
Join the Historical Commission
City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Historical Commission. Interested applicants should complete and submit a Universal Application.
The purpose of the Watertown Historical Commission is to preserve, protect, and advocate for the City's historical and archaeological resources. The Commission’s responsibilities include promoting awareness of historic landmarks; recommending designation of new landmarks; implementing the Demolition Delay Ordinance; researching places of historic or archaeological value; conducting educational outreach to the community; and establishing long-lasting protection of these resources for future generations. The Commission cooperates with the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the State Archaeologist and renders opinions and recommendations to the City Council, City departments, and the public.
Watertown Trash and Recycling Curbside Pickup Update – July 7, 2025
Curbside pickup will continue tomorrow, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, with regularly scheduled Tuesday B week services in Watertown. Republic Services replacement crews collected trash and recycling today, Monday July 7, 2025, for those with Monday trash pickup, and B week recycling pickup.
Republic Services has informed the City they will continue providing service to Watertown using replacement crews while they continue labor negotiations with their striking unionized workforce. Please be aware pickups are expected to take longer and occur later than usual, and the City of Watertown appreciates your patience. If you’re scheduled for trash and recycling pickup on Tuesday, please put your barrels out all day into the evening and report a missed pickup only if the barrel has not been picked up by the following morning.
If your regularly scheduled trash pickup was missed on Monday, July 7, please contact the 311 Service Center by dialing 311 in Watertown, or you can report the missed pickup using the Watertown App or at the City’s website. If your regularly scheduled recycling pickup was missed on Monday, July 7, the City has been made aware of the delay, and has been advised Republic Services intends to return on Tuesday to complete those pickups. We appreciate your patience.
The Watertown Recycling Center remains closed at this time, as Republic Services is unable to provide staff to operate it and haul the recycled materials. Curbside recycling pickup will continue as scheduled this week for B Week. Please visit the FAQ at watertown-ma.gov/republicstrike to find the recycling pickup calendar and map.
Yard waste pickup will not resume this week. The City is in discussions with Republic to identify alternate weeks for pickup, and we will share more information when it is available.
Residents with overflow trash caused by last week’s work stoppage may visit the City’s website for information on how to dispose of extra bags. We will update this information regularly, so please check back daily for the latest information.
We encourage everyone to visit watertown-ma.gov/republicstrike to receive the latest updates regarding this situation, and to read the FAQs.
Watertown Trash and Recycling Curbside Pickup Update – July 6, 2025
Reminder: Regularly scheduled trash and recycling curbside pickup will resume on Monday, July 7, 2025. The Monday scheduled pickup will be on Monday, Tuesday will be Tuesday, and pickups will continue as regularly scheduled through the week. Republic Services will be providing service to Watertown using replacement crews while they continue labor negotiations with their striking unionized workforce.
Pickups are expected to take longer and occur later than usual, and the City of Watertown appreciates your patience. We request residents leave barrels out all day into the evening and report a missed pickup only if the barrel has not been picked up by the following morning. If you feel your trash or recycling has been missed, please contact the 311 Service Center by dialing 311 in Watertown, or you can report the missed pickup using the Watertown App or at the City’s website.
The Watertown Recycling Center remains closed at this time, as Republic Services is unable to provide staff to operate it. Regularly scheduled curbside pickup for recycling resumes this week (B Week).
Yard waste pickup will not resume this week. The City is in discussions with Republic to identify alternate weeks for pickup, and we will share more information when it is available.
Residents with overflow trash caused by last week’s work stoppage may visit the City’s website for information on how to dispose of extra bags this week. We will update this information regularly, so please check back daily for the latest information.
We encourage everyone to visit watertown-ma.gov/republicstrike to receive the latest updates regarding this situation, and to read the newly developed FAQs.
Watertown Trash and Recycling Curbside Pickup Cancelled July 2, 2025
Our Public Works and Communications team are communicating with the Republic Services’ team. The City is developing a page on its website to answer many of our residents’ trash and recycling curbside pick-up questions. We will be adding more information to this page over the next few days. We encourage residents to visit the page, at watertown-ma.gov/republicstrike to find announcements, answers to frequently asked questions, and any related details to this on-going situation.
In the meantime, for Watertown households experiencing significant hardship due to the missed pickup—especially ahead of the holiday weekend—the City is actively working to provide a temporary solution. We encourage residents to regularly check watertown-ma.gov/republicstrike for updates on this temporary service.
Finally, we encourage our residents to consider signing-up for our citywide curbside composting program, run by Black Earth, whose services remains unaffected. Residents can sign up online with Black Earth, and will then be notified to visit the Watertown’s DPW at 124 Orchard Street in Watertown to pick-up your own composting bin during business hours. Please remain connected with the City and upcoming announcements on the City’s website, our social media channels (Facebook and Instagram), as well as through the City’s Everbridge Emergency Alert system. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.
Read the FAQs
Arsenal Park Open and Ribbon Cutting
We are excited to announce Arsenal Park is officially open! And the City invites you to come celebrate the reopening of the newly designed Arsenal Park on July 15, 2025, at 4pm at the Ribbon Cutting and Celebration! Enjoy the new playground, splashpad, basketball and tennis courts, and much more. Attendees will also be treated to Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, sponsored by the park’s design team, CDM Smith, and lemonades and passion teas donated by the Starbucks in Arsenal Yards.
Feel free to go check out the beautiful new park and we can’t wait to see you at the celebration on Tuesday, July 15!
Trash & Recycling Curbside Pickup Cancelled on July 1, 2025
Republic Services, Watertown’s trash and recycling contractor, has informed the City of Watertown that they were unable to reach an agreement with their employee union before the deadline on June 30, 2025, resulting in a labor strike beginning today, July 1, 2025.
As a result, Republic Services is unable to provide curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste pickup on July 1, 2025, and the Watertown Recycling Center will be closed. The City's composting program run by Black Earth remains on schedule. We remain in constant contact with Republic Services about contingency plans and we expect to make an announcement later today, July 1, 2025, with updates regarding tomorrow's schedule.
While this dispute is between a contractor and their employee union, we understand the impact this can have on our community and are remaining in contact with Republic Services and will be sharing an update today on the City’s website, social media, and the Everbridge Emergency Alert system.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.
Call for Applicants: Help Plan Watertown’s 400th Anniversary!
The City of Watertown will celebrate its 400-year anniversary in 2030! As we prepare to commemorate four centuries of our city and community, we’re inviting residents to help shape this once-in-a-generation celebration by helping plan a year full of events and programming honoring the City.
We are now accepting applications for the Watertown 400th Anniversary Advisory Planning Committee. This volunteer committee will help advise City staff and community partners to envision, plan, and guide anniversary events, initiatives, and programs that reflect Watertown’s rich history and vibrant future.
We’re looking for residents who are:
- Passionate about Watertown’s past, present, and future.
- Interested in and have experience in event planning, history, arts, culture, or community engagement.
- Representative of our diverse neighborhoods and communities.
- Ready to bring creative ideas and a collaborative spirit.
What to expect:
Committee members will meet quarterly beginning in Fall 2025 to help generate ideas, recommend activities, and support outreach efforts over the next several years. Correspondence and duties may be required between meetings. The committee will meet more regularly as events and celebrations approach. This is your chance to help tell Watertown’s story — and shape how we celebrate it.
Apply by September 7, 2025, to be on the Watertown 400 Committee. Interested residents will be asked to submit a statement of interest, as well as relevant skills and experience they have that would strengthen the Committee. Seats are limited and application submission does not guarantee appointment. Applicants will be notified of their appointment status in October 2025.
Let’s honor the past and inspire the future — together.
For questions, contact Tyler Cote.
Join the Cable Access Corporation Board of Directors
City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Cable Access Corporation Board of Directors. Interested applicants should complete and submit a Universal Application.
The Watertown Cable Access Corporation (WCA-TV) is a non-profit corporation established to ensure access to cable television channels and facilities; provide public education and training regarding the use of facilities and channels; assist in the development of educational, cultural, and informational programming, including working with local institutions and organizations to share their resources; and to operate channels and programming space. The WCA-TV mission is to provide coverage of local events, City meetings, and news, as well as access to our equipment and facility to engage our community and amplify their voices. City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Cable Access Corporation – Board of Directors. Interested applicants should complete and submit a Universal Application.
Join the Memorialization Committee
Are you interested in Watertown’s rich history? Would you like to play a role in how our public places are named and remembered? The City of Watertown and City Manager George J. Proakis are seeking Watertown residents to serve on the newly formed Memorialization Committee.
The Memorialization Committee was established to create a clear, consistent, and transparent process for the naming of public places, such as parks, playgrounds, streets, squares, and City buildings. From naming a newly formed pocket park to dedicating a tree or memorial bench in someone’s honor, this Committee will make recommendations to our City Council on how Watertown honors its people and stories.
While the Committee does not have jurisdiction over veteran memorials, the Watertown Free Public Library building, or Watertown Public Schools properties, it will cover all other public spaces under the City Manager’s jurisdiction. This is a great opportunity to ensure the City is memorializing Watertown’s values, history, and diversity, first by establishing clear and transparent policies and procedures for how the process will work in Watertown, during which the Committee is expected to meet regularly. Once developed, the Committee will meet on an as-needed basis as referrals are made by the City Council and City Manager.
The City Manager is seeking three residents with experience in Watertown’s diversity and history to sit on the Committee alongside the City Manager or their designee and a representative of the City Council. The newly appointed resident members will serve staggered terms, with one initially serving a one-year term and the remaining two each serving a two-year term.
Applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or a summary of relevant experience by Friday, July 11, 2025, by email to citymgr@watertown-ma.gov, or by mail or hand delivery to the City Manager's Office, 149 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472. Select applicants will interview with the Residents’ Advisory Committee and the City Manager’s Office prior to appointment and then interview with the City Council prior to confirmation.
This is a great opportunity to help shape how Watertown’s history is told and remembered. Apply today to be part of telling that story.
Juneteenth
City Hall, the Parker Building, Department of Public Works Offices, the Senior Center and the Watertown Free Public Library are closed on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in observance of Juneteenth.
Please be aware that due to the Juneteenth holiday on Thursday, trash and recycling pickup will be delayed one day after the holiday. The pickup schedule for the week is Monday, June 16-Wednesday, June 18, 2025, and Friday, June 20-Saturday, June 21, 2025. A holiday postpones pickup by one day.
Commander's Mansion Celebrates 160 Years
Event updates for the Commander's Mansion Celebrates 160 Years: Saturday, July 19, 2025 from 6:30-10pm at the Commander's Mansion.
Built in 1865, the Commander's Mansion turns 160 years old this summer! This 21+ party will celebrate the history of the City's prominent estate with a wine tasting held inside the Mansion followed by a reception in the grand tent. Tickets are now on sale for $25 per person.
2025 Summer Concert Series
The City is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated return of its annual Summer Concert Series at Saltonstall Park (149 Main St), kicking off on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. This beloved community event promises ten weeks of free, diverse musical performances, taking place every Wednesday throughout July and August from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, immediately following the popular Watertown Farmers Market.
This year's lineup features an exciting array of local and nationally recognized talent, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy:
• July 2: Classic Groove – Led by Steve Tashjian, Classic Groove will kick off the series with their versatile repertoire spanning R&B, Top 40, Smooth Jazz, Latin, Country, Swing, Middle Eastern, Show Tunes, Blues, and Motown. Special guest vocalist Concetta will join them.
• July 9: Lightning Rising – A Watertown-based classic rock band, Lightning Rising will bring the best of 60's, 70's, and 80's music with expert musicianship and layered harmonies. Featuring John Copeland, Peter Lester, Dawn Scaltreto, and David Scaltreto, with special guests Agasthya Shenoy and Natalie Copeland.
• July 16: Mwalim DaPhunkee Professor with Thunderchild – Multi-award winning performer, composer, writer, and scholar, Mwalim DaPhunkee Professor will share music from his 7th studio album, "Thunderchild." A Mashpee Wampanoag elder and keeper of the Ahanaeenun (Sacred Clown) tradition, Mwalim brings a unique blend of jazz, world music, and soul.
• July 23: Black Sea Salsa – Making any event a celebration, this 12-member world-music group led by trumpeter and former Watertown resident, Dan Teager (Tergukasian), will bring their high-energy mix of Latin Jazz and Blues. Notably, Black Sea Salsa started Watertown's summer concert series back in 2000!
• July 30: Marc Berger and RIDE – Hailing from NY, Marc Berger, who has opened for Bob Dylan and performed at SXSW, will share his band's rootsy music combining blues, country, and rock n' roll, featured on his critically acclaimed album, "RIDE."
• August 6: Joe Pete + Six is Nine – Get ready for a roots-rockin’ jammin’ electric guitar trio with Joe Pete on guitar and vocals leading a crack rhythm section through a righteous rock ’n’ roll repertoire.
• August 13: Ike Moemeka – Watertown's own multi-instrumentalist, producer, and arranger, Ike Moemeka, will blend sounds of jazz, hip-hop, R&B, funk, and soul with his group of fellow Berklee College of Music musicians.
• August 20: Sons of Levin – This band, comprised mostly of Berklee graduates, will perform their "Dad-Rock" mix of jam band and classic rock sounding original material, alongside rock/pop/funk covers.
• August 27: Shokazoba and The Puppeteers Cooperative – The series finale will be a vibrant experience with Shokazoba, an award-winning horn-driven dance party powerhouse performing original "New World Funk" designed to move, inspire, and activate. They will be joined by The Puppeteers Cooperative, bringing a collection of artist-made giant puppets for everyone to dance and parade with.
Get out your picnic blankets and lawn chairs! Performances will face the baseball diamond while Saltonstall Park construction finishes this summer. In case of inclement weather, concert cancellations will be posted on City social media.
Discover Coolidge Square” and visit Watertown Chats
"Come “Discover Coolidge Square” and visit Watertown Chats on Friday, June 27, 2025, from 11am-1pm in Sullivan Park on the corner of Mount Auburn Street and Arlington Street! Join and connect with Community Engagement Specialist, Tyler Cote, and Senior Planner for Economic Development, Erin Rathe to ask questions about the City, learn about happenings around Watertown, get an update on the Mount Auburn Street Project, and receive resources about Coolidge Square!
This is part of the week-long effort to “Discover Coolidge Square”. Be sure to learn more about the happenings, including a coffee hour with Councilor Nicole Gardner, and a Walk n’ Talk with the Business Coalition and LiveWell Watertown.
Learn about Watertown Chats.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Are you thinking about running for a city-wide elected office in Watertown this fall?
Nomination papers are available for anyone interested in running for City Council, School Committee, or Library Board of Trustees, in the fall 2025 election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Nomination papers can be picked up at the City Clerk's Office in City Hall, located at 149 Main Street.
The deadline to return the signed nomination papers is Monday, July 14, 2025.
Please visit the Running for Elected Office page to see information about how you can get on the ballot and what you need to know when you run for elected office.
Watertown Welcomes Jenna Bancroft as City’s First Human Services Director
The City of Watertown is excited to introduce Jenna Bancroft, LICSW, as the City’s first Human Services Director!
Jenna joins Watertown after over four years with the City of Newton, where she most recently served as the Director of Human Services. During her time there, Jenna was a key figure in the City’s on-going efforts in providing case management to residents in need of food access, financial assistance, housing, and other supports. Jenna also facilitated the Newton Coalition for Community Wellness, where she delivered community-based wellness, education, and resources about substance use to residents.
The Human Services Director position and Department are newly created in Watertown after being a primary recommendation in the Health and Human Services Assessment project the City undertook in 2023 and 2024. This position will oversee the development of the City’s Human Services Strategic Plan, lead community outreach to local human services organizations and partners, champion supports on food security programs, and much more. In establishing this department, the City’s Community Wellness team, including Live Well Watertown, and the City’s Food Pantry will fall under Jenna’s direction.
Jenna is no stranger to Watertown and its human services ecosystem. She spent four years working at Wayside Youth & Family Support Network serving as the organization’s Social Services Resource Specialist and the Outpatient Therapy Clinician. She provided case management and crisis supports to residents, as well as facilitated prevention education on substance use.
City Manager George Proakis looks forward to Jenna leading the City’s efforts as Human Services Director, highlighting her innovation and familiarity with the landscape as being key; “Jenna’s experience across the diverse landscape of human services is hard to beat. She has experience working with those who need direct services, she has experience in creating change within municipal government, and she has proven to be a leader in communities, including Watertown. We’re excited to see where she brings the new Human Services Department to help our community.”
In reflecting on what she plans to do first, Jenna shared, “I'm so excited to return to Watertown in this new role to work alongside community-based organizations and develop relationships across the city. The Human Services Department will be dedicated to serving the needs of the community, and I look forward to ensuring we do that in a meaningful way that serves all residents.” Jenna’s first day will be July 7, 2025.
Join us in welcoming Jenna Bancroft to the City of Watertown!