Information and updates from the Department of Public Works in Watertown, MA. Normal office hours are Monday-Friday from 7:00AM-3:30PM
The City of Watertown is part of Greater Boston in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Watertown has a population of 36,000, and an area of 4.20 square miles. Call 617-972-6420 for the 24-hour citizen concern hotline for all of your non-emergency questions or concerns. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. Citizens are reminded to phone 911 in the case of an immediate emergency requiring th
e response of a police, fire, or ambulance. This page provides access to information about the Watertown Department of Public Works. It is monitored and managed by the City of Watertown's Communications Team and is not monitored 24/7. Purpose
The City of Watertown is committed to using current social media. Use of this technology meets a critical need to inform the public about city resources and activities, increase the use of city resources and provide additional communication with members of the public. The City of Watertown regards social media as an information source that is in accordance with its mission of serving the public to meet their informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs. Social media sites allow all members of the community access to the resources of the City of Watertown without requiring a visit to the City Hall. Definition
Social media is defined as any website or application which allows users to share information. Examples of social media are: Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, wikis, photo sharing, video sharing, blogs, Flickr, Wordpress, and city reviews. Application
Comments, posts, and messages are welcome on the City of Watertown social networking sites/media. While the City recognizes and respects differences in opinion, all such interactions will be regularly monitored and reviewed for content and relevancy (before publishing if possible). The City of Watertown social media sites provide a limited (or designated) public forum intended for moderated discussion. Postings which contain the following will be removed at the City’s Communications staff’s discretion and the poster may be precluded from posting any subsequent messages to City social networking sites:
- Obscene, sexist or racist content
- Personal attacks, insults, or threatening language
- Potentially libelous statements
- Plagiarized or copy-written material
- Violation of intellectual property rights
- Private, personal information published without consent of the appropriate party
- Comments totally unrelated to the content of the discussion/posts that are off-topic
- Comments that have the sole purpose to annoy
- Hyperlinks to material that is not directly related to the discussion
- Commercial promotions, petitions, or spam
- Organized political activity
- Photos or other images that fall in any of the above categories
Notwithstanding the above, the City of Watertown is not obligated to take such actions and will not be responsible or liable for content posted by any subscriber in any forum, message board, or other area within our social media sites. City of Watertown Communications staff reserve the right to not publish any posting, or to remove it later. The staff reserves the right to edit or modify postings or content, while retaining the intent of the original post. The City has right to reproduce comments, posts and messages in other public venues/city publications. The City of Watertown assumes no liability regarding any event that occurs or interaction that takes place involving any participant in any city-sponsored social networking media service. The City does not endorse or review content outside the “pages” created by City staff. City social networking sites may be terminated at any time without notice to subscribers. Friending or Following between the City of Watertown and other pages or groups does not indicate endorsement of that page’s or group's actions or comments. Challenges to social media used by the City will be dealt with in the same manner using the City’s reconsideration policy. Patrons who are blocked and/or have had comments deleted by staff may appeal this action, in writing, to the Digital Media Manager of the City within 30 days; the Digital Media Manager will affirm or reverse the staff’s decision within 30 days after the written appeal. Indemnification
By posting content, the patron/user agrees to indemnify the City of Watertown and its officers and employees from and against all liabilities, judgments and damages and costs (including attorney’s fees) incurred by any of them which arise out of or are related to the posted content. If any user does not agree to these terms, he or she should not use the social media services.
09/25/2024
We are excited to announce that the Saltonstall Park Improvements Project will begin in the second week of October, 2024. Construction will continue from Fall 2024 to Spring 2025 and the upper Saltonstall Park work area will be closed to the public during this time. The project includes upgrades to the walkways, stairs, and the installation of a new permanent stage. Further information can be found on the Saltonstall Park webpage at www.watertown-ma.gov/saltonstall.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this project, contact the Watertown Department of Public Works at 617-972-6420.
[Image description: words "Important Notice, Saltonstall Park Improvements Project, Fall 2024 to Spring 2025", drawing of Saltonstall Park project, Department of Public Works logo.]
09/24/2024
Saltonstall Field has been shut down immediately due to poor field conditions resulting from overuse and inclement weather. Read more...
The Watertown Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Watertown Recreation Department have concluded that the Saltonstall Field must be shut down immediately due to poor field conditions resulting from overuse and inclement weather. The turf grass will not recover unless it is allowed to rest. With aeration/seeding/fertilization/topdressing to be done over the next month, we expect the field to fully recover for Spring 2025 sports.
Please note that goals will be locked during this period and the field will be monitored. Non-permitted use, which includes dogs and golf, is strictly prohibited.
[Image description: words “Saltonstall Field News” and a photo of the field conditions showing grass and dirt.]
07/25/2024
Trash and Recycling Tip!
Excess recycling and yard waste may be dropped off at the Recycling Center year-round.
The Recycle Center is located at 76 Stanley Ave, and can be accessed on Green River Way. Please note that it’s one way into the recycle center so you have to enter through Green River Way. The hours of operation are Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM all year round. (Dumping outside operational hours is prohibited) Service is accessible to Watertown Residents only – ID required. No businesses.
Learn more tips at watertown-ma.gov/1344/Trash-and-Recycling-Tips
If you have any questions about trash and recycling, please reach out to the 311 Service Center Team by dialing 311 inside of Watertown or 617-715-8660. You can also send them an email at [email protected]. The Center is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (and until 7:00 pm on Tuesdays).
[Image description: Graphic of recycle bin, words “Excess recycling and yard waste may be dropped off at the Recycling Center year-round.” and a picture of the Recycling Center sign.]
07/18/2024
The milling process on Arsenal Street, which involves grinding the road surface in preparation for paving, will begin on Monday, July 22, 2024, starting from Greenough Boulevard to Forge Road. This work will progress block by block towards Watertown Square over approximately six weeks. Please drive carefully and consider using alternate routes when possible. We appreciate your cooperation.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the 311 Service Center by dialing 311 or (617-715-8660) or send an email to: [email protected]
[Image description: words "Important Notice" photo of a street with milled pavement, Watertown Public Works logo.]
07/12/2024
Trash and Recycling Tip!
All trash and recycling must be captured within the containers. No overflow. Flatten boxes to save space.
Learn more tips at watertown-ma.gov/1344/Trash-and-Recycling-Tips
If you have any questions about trash and recycling, please reach out to the 311 Service Center Team by dialing 311 inside of Watertown or 617-715-8660. You can also send them an email at [email protected]. The Center is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (and until 7:00 pm on Tuesdays).
[Image description: a nighttime photo of a house with a row of trash and recycling bins lined up in a row in the driveway.]
07/03/2024
Please be aware that due to the Independence Day holiday on Thursday, July 4, 2024, trash and recycling pickup will be delayed one day. The pickup schedule is Monday, July 1-Wednesday, July 3, 2024 and Friday, July 5-Saturday, July 6, 2024. A holiday postpones pickup by one day.
[Image description: graphic of a flag, words “Watertown City Hall, Parker Annex, Department of Public Works Offices, Library, and Senior Center are closed on Independence Day, Thursday, July 4, 2024.]
07/03/2024
Trash and Recycling Tip!
Please place your trash and recycling bins out the night before your scheduled pickup day.
If you have any questions about trash and recycling, please reach out to the 311 Service Center Team by dialing 311 inside of Watertown or 617-715-8660. You can also send them an email at [email protected]. The Center is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (and until 7:00 pm on Tuesdays).
[Image description: a nighttime photo of a house with a row of trash and recycling bins lined up in a row in the driveway.]
07/02/2024
Watertown City Hall, Parker Annex, Department of Public Works Offices, Senior Center and the Watertown Free Public Library are closed on Thursday, July 4, 2024 in observance of Independence Day.
Please be aware that due to the Independence Day holiday on Thursday, July 4, 2024, trash and recycling pickup will be delayed one day. The pickup schedule is Monday, July 1-Wednesday, July 3, 2024 and Friday, July 5-Saturday, July 6, 2024. A holiday postpones pickup by one day.
[Image description: graphic of a flag, words “Watertown City Hall, Parker Annex, Department of Public Works Offices, Library, and Senior Center are closed on Independence Day, Thursday, July 4, 2024.]
06/25/2024
Trash and Recycling Tip!
All Trash and Recycling containers must be placed at the opening of your driveway for pick up in a manner that avoids parked vehicles.
If you have any questions about trash and recycling, please reach out to the 311 Service Center Team by dialing 311 inside of Watertown or 617-715-8660. You can also send them an email at [email protected]. The Center is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (and until 7:00 pm on Tuesdays).
[Image description: photo of a driveway with a trash and recycling bin, mailbox and plants.]
06/11/2024
Please see information about the Flag Day Ceremony on Friday, June 14, 2024 at Ridgelawn Cemetery at 10AM.
On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted the design of our current flag.
On June 14, 2024, you're invited to join us as we honor the adoption of the American Flag by properly retiring our old flags.
Please join us at Ridgelawn Cemetery at 10AM.
Thanks to Watertown Fire Department and Watertown Public Works for their support to ensure we can properly—and safely—retire our non-serviceable flags.
City of Watertown, MA - Government
Watertown Police Department
Pvt Shutt Detachment
VFW POST 1105
06/10/2024
Starting today, Monday, June 10, 2024, the Filippello Park Spray Pad is open from 9:15 am to 8:15 pm through the summer of 2024 until further notice. Enjoy!
Filippello Park is a multi-use park located between Arlington and Grove Streets.
[Image description: photo of people at the spray pad.]
09/25/2024
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