Public Works

There are multiple divisions within the Department of Public Works (DPW) which all proactively operate on an individual basis. Additionally, divisions also work together to carry out the necessary and essential functions and work aspects of the Department on a daily basis. At any given time, the Department and its multiple divisions have numerous projects in motion - either in development or on-going – and often times are collaborating with outside contractors and vendors to see a particular project through its completion. Situated at 124 Orchard Street, the physical location of the Department itself is an active construction site which sees activity on a 24 hour/7-day basis – 365 days of the year.

Several years ago, we eliminated the divisional barriers to create a more diverse and responsive department to the daily requests for services as well as the projected capital improvements and the required inspection, maintenance and testing imposed upon this Department to provide safe, clean, and effectively operated infrastructure.

One main component of our operation is readiness and preparedness, the Department must be ready at any given time to deal with the wide array of emergency situations, ranging from water main breaks, sewer main breaks, traffic accidents, severe snowstorms, high winds, heavy rains, tropical storms, hurricanes, and road system failures, just to name a few. When most residents, businesses and general contractors experience emergencies, the Department of Public Works is there to respond and resolve the issues at hand. Therefore, we must be continually readied and well stocked with an extremely wide array of material, equipment, and well-trained staff to serve the public.

Divisions: Administration, Central Motors, Highway, Snow & Ice, Cemetery, Property & Buildings, Forestry, Parks, Water, Sewer.

Non-Divisional Functions: Engineering, Solid Waste & Recycling, Street Lighting, Weights & Measures (partial), Recycle Center

The Department of Public Works operates with 57 staff members, as well as hires seasonal help in the summer months along with a variety of interns throughout the year. 

Contact Information

DPW is located at 124 Orchard Street. Business hours are Monday through Friday 7:00 am-3:30 pm. Forms of payment accepted at DPW include cash, check, money order, or credit card.

During business hours, the front office is open for the public to come in person to 124 Orchard St. or call on the phone at 617-972-6420.

During non-business hours, residents can call the office phone number (617-972-6420) and will be connected with an answering service representative who can help with emergencies or take a non-emergency message. In the case of an immediate emergency requiring the response of a police, fire, or ambulance please call 911.

For additional questions and information, please email dpwdept@watertown-ma.gov.

To report an issue, please submit a service request through SeeClickFix or contact the 311 Service Center Team by dialing 3-1-1 inside of Watertown or 617-715-8660. You can also send an email at 311@watertown-ma.gov. The Center is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (until 7:00 pm on Tuesdays).

To contact individual DPW staff members, please look for their extension under the Employees Tab on the Public Works Staff Directory page.