Business

Athenahealth to Pay $18.25 Million for Taking Kickbacks

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The following release was provided by the U.S. Department of Justice:

A national electronic health records (EHR) technology vendor based in Watertown, Massachusetts, athenahealth Inc. (Athena), has agreed to pay $18.25 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by paying unlawful kickbacks to generate sales of its EHR product, athenaClinicals, the Justice Department announced today. In a complaint filed in conjunction with today’s settlement, the United States alleged that Athena violated the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute through three marketing programs. First, Athena invited prospective and existing customers to “Concierge Events,” providing free tickets to and amenities at sporting, entertainment, and recreational events, including trips to the Masters Tournament and the Kentucky Derby with complimentary travel and luxury accommodations, meals, and alcohol. Second, Athena paid kickbacks to its existing customers under a “Lead Generation” program designed to identify and refer new prospective clients to Athena. Under this program, Athena paid up to $3,000 to existing customers for each new client that signed up for Athena services, regardless of how much time, if any, the existing customer spent speaking to or meeting with the new client. Finally, Athena entered into deals with competing vendors that were discontinuing their EHR technology offerings to refer their clients to Athena.

Business

Construction Underway on 9-Story Biotech Building at Arsenal Yards

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A rendering of what the nine-story 100 Forge building at Arsenal Yards will look like. Developers are creating 165,000 sq. ft. of space for biotech companies. The following announcement was provided by Boylston Properties:

Boylston Properties, a Boston-based developer of mixed-use destinations, and institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management, announced a joint venture agreement to proceed with plans to construct 100 Forge, a nine-story 165,600-square-foot lab building at Arsenal Yards in Watertown.

Entertainment

Gore Place Hosting Wine Tasting for Fans & Foes of Valentine’s Day

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The following information came from Gore Place:

Love Valentine’s Day or hate it? Either way, we’ve got the fun night in for you. Join Gore Place for a virtual wine tasting with the Urban Grape of Boston’s South End. During this special event, enjoy three wines selected by the Urban Grape’s expert wine educators, and learn about wine history while you hear romantic readings by famous writers like Jane Austen. Participants must be age 21 or older.

Around Town

Town: People 75 & Up Can Register for Vaccine Online, Expect Wait to Get Appointment

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The following announcement was provided by the Town of Watertown:

The State has opened up scheduling today for COVID vaccinations for seniors over the age of 75 at various sites across the Commonwealth. Registration is done online and at this time, there is a high volume of registrants and many sites are experiencing little or no availability of appointments. We encourage you to keep trying to access an appointment, as more sites will open up in the weeks ahead. Families, please provide computer assistance for your elderly family members or, if you do not have access to a computer, you can contact the Watertown Senior Center at (617) 972-6490 for assistance, but they have the same access as everyone else. Please be patient.

Environment

Charles River Group Discussing How Towns are Preparing for Extreme Weather

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The Watertown Dam on the Charles River. The Charles River Watershed Association and Communities Responding to Extreme Weather will host a virtual event focused on building resilience across the Charles River Watershed. The groups included the following description:

Adapting to the impacts of climate change is a daunting task but many local cities and towns are facing this challenge head on. Having the best possible information on the impacts of climate change locally can help guide effective local investment and appropriate regulatory changes. The fifteen communities that are part of the Charles River Climate Compact (CRCC) have teamed up to develop a Charles River watershed flood model.

Around Town

Hatch in February: YardArt, Zine Month & More

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

Hatch Makerspace is located at 20 Summer Street in Watertown, MA. An extension of the Watertown Free Public Library, it is a public workshop with space, equipment, and materials available for your use. For more information contact Liz Helfer, Hatch Coordinator: ehelfer@watertown-ma.gov | 781-795-2309

Make It BIG: YardArt Ideas and How to Make ThemTuesday, February 2, 6pm

Push back against this dreary winter by creating something in your yard, porch, or doorway – a structure, an art project, a contraption, or anything that pops to mind. Anyone can participate – no fees and no age requirement. Your creation should be family-friendly and viewable from the street or sidewalk.

Around Town

Zoom Knitting, Pet Lovers Group Part of This Week’s Senior Center Virtual Programs

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Watertown Senior Center

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Senior Center:

Programs for Week of January 25, 2021

Join us via Zoom for the following programs. Call for access info: (617) 972-6490. New participants always welcome in every program! We hope you’ll join us

Monday:   10:00 AM, Art Class with Dawn Scaltreto12:30 PM, Chair Yoga with Diane2:00 PM, New! Zoom Knitting

Tuesday:     12:30 PM, Tai Chi & Meditation with Marie2:00 PM, Line Dancing with Bradley

Wednesday: 10:00 AM, New! Pet Lovers Group 11:00 AM, Exercise with Joanna2:00 PM, Death Café with Richard Davis

Thursday:        9:00 AM, Pilates with Marina Z.10:30 AM, Talk with Tom: Coffee & Casual Conversation2:00 PM, Zoom Film Review with Debi Block

Friday:            10:00 AM, Exercise with Shannon Lee Jones     12:00 PM, Seated Strength & Balance with Pearl1:30 PM, Mellowtones Chorus with Anne Silverman

Senior Shuttle Bus Update

The Watertown Senior Shuttle Bus is back on the road for grocery shopping! Due to COVID-19, the bus is limited to 4 riders plus the driver.

Around Town

Watertown Residents Can Apply for Scholarships to BB&N Summer Camp

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The Watertown Recreation Department sent out the following announcement:

The Watertown Recreation Department is pleased to announce the offering of a limited number of scholarships for Watertown families whose children would like to attend the Buckingham Browne & Nichols Summer Camp. Each candidate must have a demonstrated and documented need for financial assistance or has a special circumstance that is considered exceptional. The Town of Watertown is grateful to the Buckingham Browne & Nichols School for offering this outstanding opportunity. The camp options are identified at https://bbnsummer.com/, and scholarships arefor any of their programs.

Each child may attend two weeks of camp and if awarded the scholarship will be in the amount of $200.00 each week toward the cost of the camp.This scholarship is available for Watertown residents only. We will begin to consider applications starting February 1, 2020 and accept them until June 1 or until all slots are filled, whatever occurs first.