Around Town

State Closes Part of Greenough Blvd. to Traffic So it Can be Used by Pedestrians, Bicycles

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A screenshot of a Google Map showing the section of Greenough Boulevard closed by the DCR for recreation use. It stretches from North Beacon Street to Arsenal Street. A section of Greenough Boulevard in Watertown along the Charles River has been closed to traffic to allow people to use it for recreation. The Department of Conservation and Recreation closed Greenough between Arsenal and North Beacon streets starting last weekend. The DCR’s announcement said, in part: “To expand pedestrian and cyclist access, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will open segments of three parkways in the Greater Boston Metro Area for recreational use starting Saturday, April 11, 2020 at dawn.

Coronavirus

Town Council Meeting Virtually Tuesday, Discussing Budget, Parking Plan

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Watertown Town Hall

The Town Council will meeting for the first time since social distancing orders have prevented them from meeting in person. The meeting will be held virtually with the public able to participate by computer or phone. The agenda includes an update on the Town’s Fiscal 2021 budget, a proposal to move forward with the Parking Management Plan, and a discussion of the proposed contract for the Firefighters union. See the entire agenda by clicking here. Town Council President Mark Sideris told the Council in March that he will try not to have meetings during the COVID-19 outbreak, in part because it is difficult for the public to participate.

Business

Watertown Company Developed More Accurate COVID-19 Testing Swabs

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The following announcement was created by Watertown-based Markforged:

 Markforged, the leading manufacturer of metal and carbon fiber 3D printers, today announced that it is partnering with Neurophotometrics to produce Fiberflex Rayon, a 3D printed nasopharyngeal (NP) swab for use in diagnostic testing for COVID-19. The new 3D printed swabs take just minutes to make, and in testing, they successfully detected the virus in all of the patients, while the commercial swabs reported false negatives. The team is currently producing 10,000 swabs per day, with plans to scale to 100,000 per day. “Identifying COVID-19 infected patients is the best way to slow down the spread of the disease, but we’re seeing a lot of issues with wide-scale testing,” said Greg Mark, CEO and Founder of Markforged. “There are massive shortages of nasal swabs and to make matters worse, hospitals are reporting false negatives with the current swabs on the market.”

In a collaborative effort by the San Diego Covid Research Enterprise Network (SCREEN) Initiative — a group of scientists, students, research institutions, and others in the San Diego area — Neurophotometrics, Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, the Scripps Research Institute, and the University of California San Diego designed and tested the 3D printed swabs with fifty volunteers.

Business

Watertown Business Coalition Hosting Online Coffee Connect

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The Watertown Business Coalition invites you to join its virtual coffee connect on April 22. After a general discussion, attendees will break out into smaller groups to discuss specific topics:

Working with SBA Loans, Banks and CreditorsIndependent Contractor IssuesPlanning for a RecoveryHospitality Corner: Restaurants, Caterers, Food Service, Functions, etc.Social Media & Marketing in Our Current Business EnvironmentTalk of the Town: Watertown Specific Issues & HELPING Our Community

The group sent out the following information about the event:

The Watertown Business Coalition presents:COFFEE CONNECTWednesday, April 22  |  9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.In the comfort of your own home! Watertown Business Coalition is hosting an online forum to discuss the challenges of our COVID altered reality and a path back to some level of economic normalcy. Our online forum is free to Watertown Residents and our Business Community:

Format will include:

Find a comfortable place in the home with a cup of coffee or tea! General Session run by WBC Leadership TeamChoice of up to two breakout rooms with relevant themes

Let’s get through these times together, Watertown! 

WHEN: Wednesday, April 22, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

WHERE: Your home! 

The Watertown Business Coalition was started by a group of people doing business in Watertown and town residents looking to make local connections, and to support and strengthen the Watertown business community. 

The Watertown Business Coalition invites the following groups to the Coffee Connect:

All in the Watertown Business CommunityResidents who own a business in or out of town Entrepreneurs seeking Networking OpportunitiesFormer Members of Watertown-Belmont Chamber of CommerceThose looking to connect with business owners in Watertown

Register to let us know you are coming!

Real Estate

Three Watertown Homes Sold This Week

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These three properties were sold this week around town. $442,500 – 73 Carroll St. Unit 73, Condo – Townhouse, 954 Living Area Sq. Ft.,6 Room, 3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom

$675,000 – 507 Main St. Unit 507, Condo – Townhouse, 1,229 Living Area Sq.

Schools

School Officials Debate Keeping Spring Break, School Committee to Meet Monday

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With schools closed at least through May 4 due to the Coronavirus outbreak, Watertown Public Schools officials unveiled the second phase of the virtual learning for students, and are debating whether to keep spring break. The School Committee will meet Monday, April 13 to discuss spring break, the budget for the 2020-21 school year budget and hear a presentation phase II of the district’s Extended Learning Plan. (See information about watching and participating in the meeting below). In a letter to families and staff sent out earlier this month, Superintendent Dede Galdston said that students will have more interactive time with teachers, “requiring students to participate in the learning provided to the extent that is possible.” Teachers reached out to families this week with more details about the schedule and plans.