COVID-19

Watertown Football Team Excited to Kick Off Season After Being Delayed by Pandemic

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Watertown running back David Manoukian and the Raiders kick off the football season on March 20 after being delayed several months by COVID-19. March traditionally is primetime for basketball, but during the COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts it is also time for some high school football. The MIAA delayed the football season from the fall to March, in what has been dubbed “Fall II.” Watertown High School will kick off its season Saturday, March 20 at 11 a.m. against Wakefield at Watertown’s Victory Field. “After 12 months of not having a lot to do, this is a real treat for us and I believe everybody in our program understands that and is treating it as if it’s something special,” said WHS Head Coach John Cacace.

Business

Watertown Company Teams Food Trucks, Schools to Put on Fundraisers

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Watertown-based Food Truck Ventures teams up food trucks and schools for fundraisers. Here a food truck visits Wellington School in Belmont as part of the StrEATS for Schools program. The pandemic has made fundraising for schools and PTOs more challenging, but a Watertown-based company has provided a way for schools to bring in money and also provide a tasty meal. This school year, Food Truck Ventures started offering StrEATS for Schools, where food trucks can come to the school or neighborhood and provide food and bring in some funds. Several schools in the area, including Lowell Elementary School in Watertown, have taken advantage.

Around Town

Check Out the Open Houses in Watertown This Weekend

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Several open houses to visit in Watertown this weekend. $450,000 – 32 Whites Ave. Unit F4405, Condo – Mid-Rise, 1,055 Living Area Sq. Ft., 3 Room, 2 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom, Open House: Saturday 11:30-1

$1,195,000 – 22 Common Street Unit 22, Condo – Townhouse, 3,337 Living Area Sq. Ft.

Around Town

Watertown Police Officers Cook Up, Serve St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast to Homeless Veterans

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Watertown Police officers Keith Parent (front), Kyle Rooney, Frank Forde and Mike Martino work with a member of the New England Center and Home for Veterans to serve breakfast on St. Patrick’s Day. The effort was spearheaded by Forde. More than a dozen Watertown police officers and firefighters gathered early on the morning of St. Patrick’s Day at the Sons of Italy Hall to prepare a traditional Irish breakfast for 200 people at the New England Center and Home for Veterans.

Around Town

Watertown Farmers Market Planning for 2021, Provides Access to Fruits & Veggies to Everyone

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The opening of the Watertown Farmers Market is still a few months away, but the 2021 season will feature more produce vendors, modified COVID-19 restrictions and has special programs for people who qualify for the SNAP program. The Farmers Market opens on June 16 and runs through Oct. 20 in Saltonstall Park (next to Town Hall). The hours will be 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Watertown’s Community Wellness/Market Manager Stephanie Venizelos continues to confirm which vendors will be at the Watertown Farmers Market in 2021, but she said there will be three large produce vendors, all of which will have at-market sales, and also preorder and/or CSA (community supported agriculture) where subscribers get a box of vegetables each month. The Watertown Farmers Market newsletter announced information about the CSA programs:

“We’re looking forward to having many of our fabulous vendors back in the park, in addition to welcoming back Farmer Tim’s and welcoming in Stillman’s Farm!

Charter Review

Vote on Whether Watertown Should Have a Mayor or Town Manager Coming Soon, Committee Wants Public’s Input

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The committee looking at Watertown’s Town Charter, like the town’s constitution, will soon be making a vote on whether the Town government should continue with an appointed Town Manger as the chief executive, or whether it should have an elected Mayor. The Charter Review Committee announced Wednesday that it will take a vote at the April 6 meeting which will be hold remotely on Zoom beginning at 6 p.m.

The Committee seeks input from Watertown residents about which alternative they prefer, and people will have a chance to ask question and give their input during the April 6 meeting. The Charter Review Committee sent out the following announcement on Wednesday:

The Watertown Charter Review Committee Is Asking: Do You Want A Mayor or A Town Manager? Background:

Watertown’s Home Rule Charter (The Charter) is our “constitution.” The Charter establishes the framework for how our government operates: the form of government, its structure, functions, and processes, how public officials are elected, how the budget is developed, and the role citizens play in local government.

Around Town

Fallen Watertown Firefighter Remembered on Fourth Anniversary of His Death

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Members of the Watertown Fire Department salute their fallen colleague, Joe Toscano, on the fourth anniversary of his death at a fire on Merrifield Avenue. The Watertown Fire Department came out in force to honor a colleague lost while fighting a fire in the East End four years ago. Firefighters and the family of Joe Toscano gathered on Bigelow Avenue, at the square dedicated to his memory. The sign bearing his name sits just down Merrifield Avenue from the home where the fire took place. Fire Chief Bob Quinn hung a wreath from the pole holding the sign marking Firefighter Joseph A. Toscano Square during the cermony.

Around Town

See When the COVID-19 Vaccine Will be Available to the General Public, Those Under 65

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Gov. Charlie Baker announced the eligibility dates for the remaining groups in the Massachusetts vaccine roll out plan on Wednesday. People age 17 and older will be eligible to get the vaccine beginning April 19, 2021, according to a report on Boston.com. Before that, people age 60 and above and certain workers will be eligible beginning March 22, and those 55 and older who have at least one qualifying condition will get access beginning April 5. See more about vaccine eligibility at the State’s website by clicking here. The Watertown Health Department has information about COVID-19 on its webpage, see it here.