Yard Waste Pickup Resumes Monday — Keep Bins Curbside

Arlington, MA · October 18, 2026

A sharp autumn frost greeted the grass at dawn, but crystal-clear skies make it prime weather for an afternoon walk to the reservoir. Grab a brisk coffee and settle in with the morning rundown.

The Lead

If your paper lawn bags and yard waste barrels spent the weekend sitting by the curb, rest assured they were not forgotten. Town officials announced that Waste Management fell behind schedule on townwide yard waste collections late last week amid surging autumn cleanup volumes. Contractors plan to resume regular collection routes first thing Monday morning, October 19.

Department of Public Works officials caution that clearing the backlog across all neighborhoods will likely require several days of doubled-up routes. Residents are urged to leave their yard waste barrels and paper bags curbside rather than hauling them back indoors, as trucks will work systematically until every route is serviced. Standard municipal rules remain in effect: bundles must stay under fifty pounds, and plastic bags are strictly prohibited. The town will provide updates online if service windows shift further.

Local Pulse

Accessibility Improvements Expand Along Dundee Road Roads Crews are installing curb ramps and replacing broken sidewalks to ensure ADA compliance throughout the neighborhood.
Pink Bluebikes Roll Out for Awareness Month Transit Riders can spot and pedal one hundred specially wrapped pink bikes across local stations through the end of October.
New Director Takes Helm at Arts Center Community Mary-Liz Murray has assumed leadership of the cultural hub, overseeing more than two hundred fifty annual creative programs.

Today's Outlook

High 55°F · Low 32°F — Clear
- Layer up with a warm jacket before heading out into the crisp sunshine.

What's On Around Town

Today

Climate Stories in the Garden Somerville Community Growing Center (22 Vinal Ave), Somerville, Noon–1:15 PM · Free Audience-shared stories brought to life through outdoor playback improv theater.
SomerStreets: Monster Mash Somerville Avenue, Somerville, 1:00–5:00 PM · Free Costumes, live music, and interactive crafts at the annual street festival.
Another Tequila Sunrise Regent Theatre (7 Medford St), 4:00 PM · Paid Eagles tribute concert celebrating classic American rock in the historic theater.

Tomorrow

Outdoor Maker Space Gallery 344 (344 Broadway), Cambridge, 4:00–6:00 PM · Free
Bluegrass Monday Remnant Brewing Satellite (877 Cambridge St), Cambridge, 8:00–10:30 PM

Tuesday

Arlington Rotary Annual Banquet St. Eulalia's Parish Hall (50 Ridge St), Winchester, 6:00–9:00 PM · $75
Arlington Poetry Series Robbins Library Community Room (700 Massachusetts Ave), 7:00–8:30 PM · Free

Spotlight & Story

Mother Batherick On April 19, 1775, while digging dandelion greens near Spy Pond, this widowed Menotomy elder crossed paths with six fleeing British regulars. She marched the surrendering grenadiers to Captain Ephraim Frost’s farmhouse, telling them to tell King George an old woman captured his troops.

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