Around Town

Gov. Signs Bill Allow Towns to Delay Property Tax Deadlines, Take Out/Delivery Alcohol from Restaurants; Cases Jump 1,400 in Mass.

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Gov. Charlie Baker signed legislation Friday that gives cities and towns the ability to relax property tax deadlines and also allows restaurants to sell beer and wine for take out or delivery. The restaurants must already have a license to sell alcohol to take advantage of this new provision, according to the story on WCVB Channel 5. The person receiving the alcohol must be 21 or older and an alcohol must be part of an order that includes food. The bill also allows municipalities to delay the due date for property tax by one month. The City of Springfield has already delayed its property tax deadline from May 1 to June 1, according to Masslive.com.

Around Town

Friday is First Day Businesses Can Apply for Paycheck Protection Loans, Part of COVID-19 Stimulus

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One of the key form of aid to businesses dealing with the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak begins Friday — the Payroll Protection Program. The program is part of the Federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act, and provides loans not only to businesses, but also non-profits and sole proprietors. The PPP was announced just last week and details are still being ironed out, including where to to to get the loans. Doug Orifice, principal at Arsenal Financial and co-founder of the Watertown Business Coalition, said that he has spent most of the last week pouring over the details of the CARES Act looking for ways it can help small businesses. The PPP may be a big help.

Business

Info on Town Services, Closures & Supporting Local Businesses in the Town Manager’s COVID-19 Update

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Watertown Town Hall

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll’s office:

Essential Services Order

Governor Charlie Baker’s emergency order requiring that all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public will be extended until May 4th. Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at the brick-and-mortar premises closed by the order. This order also prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people until May 4th. On March 31st, The Commonwealth updated the “COVID-19 Essential Services” list, which is based on federal guidance that was updated earlier this week. While these businesses are designated as essential, they are urged to follow social distancing protocols for workers in accordance with guidance from the Department of Public Health (DPH).

Around Town

Gov. Baker Gives Estimates for COVID-19 Cases in State, Beach Parking Closing

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Massachusetts will see between 47,000 to 172,000 cases of Coronavirus during the outbreak, according to the latest models. Gov. Charlie Baker discussed the figures during an update on COVID-19 on Thursday afternoon. Those numbers would be 0.7 to 2.5 percent of the state’s population, and the peak is expected to occur between April 10 and 20, according to a WBZ Channel 4 story. As of Thursday, Massachusetts had 8,966 cases and 154 people have died, according to the Mass. Department of Public Health.

Applause

Give a Round of Applause Friday for Medical Workers, Grocery Employees & Others Helping During COVID-19; More than 1,100 New Cases

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On Friday, people across Massachusetts are invited to show their love and appreciation for the people on the front line of the fight against the Coronavirus. Following similar efforts in New York City, Italy and London, #ClapBecauseWeCare will come to the Boston area and the whole Bay State on Friday at 7 p.m., according to a piece in the Boston Globe. Let’s clap for Boston’s finest heroes this Friday, Apr 3rd at 7PM. Open your windows and doors and cheer for our brave nurses, doctors, and first responders here and let’s show the country and the world we’re still and always will be #BostonStrong #ClapBecauseWeCare 👏👩🏾‍⚕️👨🏼‍⚕️ pic.twitter.com/57JyFVgMba— Dream Big Boston (@Boston2024) March 29, 2020

People can go to their windows, go outside and clap and cheer for ” doctors, nurses, and first responders; the pharmacists and grocery workers, delivery drivers and postal employees, restaurateurs who have stayed open, and other essential personnel who are risking exposure to COVID-19 so everyone else can stay home and stay healthy,” as the Globe article put it. New Yorkers thanking those on the front lines ❤️ #clapbecausewecare #nyc pic.twitter.com/mS02YOJsOy— Lisa Yaconiello (@lyac21) March 27, 2020

These people are our family members, friends, neighbors and members of the Watertown community.

Business

Gov. Baker Extends Closing of Non-Essential Businesses, New Cases Up More than 800

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Gov. Charlie Baker announced that non-essential businesses would remain closed in Massachusetts through May 4 in an effort to control the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The announcement came before the announcement of the lastest statistics for the impact of COVID-19 in Massachusetts on Tuesday. The Mass. Department of Public Health announced 33 more deaths from the virus, brining the total to 89. Massachusetts has 868 new postive cases for a total of 6,620.

Business

See What Programs the CARES Act Has for Businesses, Non-Profits Impacted by COVID-19

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The Federal government unveiled the the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act which will help business of all sizes, and has special programs for small businesses and private non-profits. The legislation passed by Congress last week and signed by President Trump provides programs to help retain employees, gives grants and loans to businesses negatively impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak

The Payroll Protection Program offers loans to businesses that maintain their payroll during the Coronavirus emergency. Businesses with fewer than 500 employees can qualify. The Small Business Debt Relief Program gives loans to businesses. Loans can up to $5.5 million, and there are also micro loans of up to $50,000.

Around Town

Eversource Eliminating Late Fees, Disconnections During COVID-19 Outbreak; Warns of Scams

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Eversources will not charge late fees or disconnect power from customers during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. “We’ve suspended disconnections, late fees and taken other steps to help customers in response to COVID-19,” Eversource announced on its website. Eversource is also offering a flexible payment plan with no down payment. Customers should also be aware of ongoing scams.

“The COVID-19 outbreak has led to an increase in scam activity. Be wary of any unsolicited calls that threaten to disconnect your utility service and that demand payment by unusual means.