Coronavirus

Watertown Mall Cancels Spring into Spring Event

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The Watertown Mall announced that the Spring into Spring event scheduled for March 19 has been cancelled due to the outbreak of the Corona virus. The Watertown Mall sent out the following statement:

The Watertown Mall, located at 550 Arsenal Street, together with Watertown Families Together are sad to announce that we will have to cancel the event Spring into Spring which was originally scheduled for Thursday, March 19th. Due to the current circumstances, we believe it is best to postpone the event until we can be assured that it is safe for our community. At this time, the event has not been rescheduled for a later date.

Business

See Which Watertown Restaurants are Offering Take Out or Delivery

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With Gov. Baker’s order to close restaurants, they will be one of the hardest hit during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The vast majority of Watertown restaurants remain open for take out, and many also deliver. Many restaurants around town put up messages on social media or on their websites. Food delivery apps such as Grubhub or DoorDash offer delivery from many places around town. If you know of others, please send information to watertownmanews@gmail.com or leave a comment below.

Coronavirus

Watertown Police Asking Residents to Call First, Try to Avoid Coming into Station

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In an effort to stop the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Watertown Police Department requested that people to avoid coming into the lobby of the Police Station, except in an emergency. Police Chief Michael Lawn sent out the request to avoid coming into the Police Station, and urged people to call. The Watertown Police also changed their policy during this period for filing reports. They can now be taken over the phone. Lawn also noted that officers may ask questions about residents’ health when responding to their home or business.

Coronavirus

Town Cancelling Meetings, Town Hall & DPW Closed to Visitors, Parking Passes Valid

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Watertown Town Hall

(CORRECTION: It was incorrectly stated in a previous version of the story that the March 23 School Committee meeting will be cancelled. It will be held remotely.)

The Town of Watertown will not be holding meetings for the next few weeks as a precaution against the Coronavirus, and Town Hall and the Department of Public Works Facility are the latest to close to public visitors. Town Council President Mark Sideris said all meetings through April 6. Town Manager Michael Driscoll also announced that Town Hall and the Department of Public Works will be closed through April 6, and asked residents to call or email if they need to contact town officials. Town Meetings

On Monday, Sideris informed the Town Council that he was cancelling meetings.

Transportation

MBTA Reducing Service in Effort to Curb Spread of Coronavirus

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An MBTA bus in Watertown. The MBTA announced Monday that beginning March 17, service will be cut back in an effort to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, also called the Coronavirus. Most buses and trains will be running on a Saturday schedule, and the 504 express bus from Watertown Yard will also be impacted (click here to see the schedule). The T will also be cleaning vehicles and stations, according to the announcement. The MBTA released the following announcement:

Reduced Service for March 17, 2020

Updated Monday, March 16, 2020, 2:49 PM

At the start of service on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, trains and buses will run with reduced service to support efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Schools

Watertown Schools Now Closed Thru April 7, Tips to Keep Students Learning

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With Gov. Baker’s announcement that schools statewide will be closed through early April as a response to the Coronavirus outbreak, the Watertown Public Schools will be closed longer than first announced. Students can still keep their mind active. On Thursday, Superintendent Dede Galdston announced the town’s schools would be shut for two weeks (originally March 27). Now that has been extended to April 7 with the Governor’s announcement Sunday night, which also impacts restaurants, and gatherings over 25 people. See the Watertown School’s entire update from Sunday night father below.

Coronavirus

Watertown Closing Playgrounds, Fields, Dog Parks as Coronavirus Precaution

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The tot lot installed at the 552 Main Street Park is one of the Watertown Recreation facilities that have been closed due to the Coronavirus. The Watertown Recreation Department has closed its facilities around town, including fields, courts, tot lots and dog parks, as a precaution during the outbreak of the Coronavirus. Recreation Director Peter Centola sent out the following announcement:

Please be advised that all fields, courts, track, tot lots and dog parks in Watertown are closed immediately due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Please adhere to this request and follow all guidelines by the Watertown Health Department and all governmental agencies. On Friday, the Town announced that all Recreation activities and permits had been cancelled through the end of March.

Joseph Toscano

Fire Department Cancels Ceremony for Fallen Watertown Firefighter

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The sign erected in honor of fallen Watertown Firefighter Joseph Toscano at the corner of Merrifield Avenue and Bigelow Avenue in East Watertown. The Watertown Fire Department cancelled plans to honor Joseph Toscano on the third anniversary of the firefighter’s death due to concerns over the Coronavirus. “This decision has been made taking the orders of the Governor into consideration. We hope that everyone will keep him and his family in their thoughts and prayers at some point tomorrow,” said Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn. The Fire Department had planed three minutes of silence at 10:16 a.m Tuesday, followed by a salute to Toscano.