Business

Galen Street Biotech Development Approved by ZBA

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A view of the life sciences building at 66 Galen St. approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals. This view is from Galen Street. The following piece was provided Boston Development Group:

Following months of planning discussions and community meetings, Boston Development Group (BDG) has received approval from the Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)  Thursday for a proposed life sciences development at 66 Galen Street in Watertown, Massachusetts. Boston Development Group (BDG), a multifaceted investment management and real estate development firm, plans to build a major life science campus comprised of two phases totaling nearly 450,000 SF of Class A Office/ R&D LAB.

Around Town

Sneakers to be Distributed, Winter Recreation Session Extended, Open Forum

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The Watertown Recreation Department will be giving away shoes. Each pair will be packaged and picked out in a socially distanced event at Victory Field’s Field House. The Recreation Department provided the following information:

OPEN FORUM: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2nd AT 7:00pm

Join us for our monthly “Open Forum” through Zoom Technology and Face Time Live on Tuesday, February 2 at 7:00. This is an opportunity for our residents to listen to current information relative to our Recreation Department and ask questions, share concerns and recommendations. WINTER SESSION I, EXTENDED UNTIL FEBRUARY 14

Our current Winter Session I programming schedule has been extended until Sunday, February 14.  All programs now in process will continue, same day, same time, same location.

Entertainment

Check Out This Week’s Small Saves Cartoon

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James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal–then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

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.