Elections

Watertown Rep. Lawn Co-Sponsors Bill to Ensure a Safe 2020 Election

By |

State Rep. John Lawn of Watertown, who represents the 10th Middlesex District. Watertown State Rep. John Lawn is lead co-sponsor for a bill that would call for the state to mail absentee ballots to all voters, would require towns to take safety precautions during early voting and extends the deadline for accepting absentee ballots. The bill, HD.5075, is called “An Act ensuring safe and participatory 2020 state elections in response to COVID-19.” Lawn, who is co-chair of the the Joint Committee on Election Laws, filed the bill with Second Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Michal Moran, of Boston, on Wednesday. In an announcement about the bill from Common Cause Massachusetts, Lawn said:

“COVID-19 presents an unprecedented challenge to our election administration.

Around Town

Tracking COVID-19 Deaths, Tracing Contacts of People Testing Positive is Tricky for Watertown Officials

By |

Details of the cause of death from the death certificate of a Watertown resident. Like many aspects of COVID-19, figuring out the exact number of deaths related to virus in Watertown is complicated and confusing. This is just one issue the Town of Watertown is facing, along with trying to trace contacts of people with active cases of the Coronavirus. The officially confirmed number of fatalities in Watertown, as of May 5, is 17 residents — up from 12 the previous day. When looking at the death certificates in the Town Clerk’s Office, as of May 4, 18 people who live in Watertown, or whose last known address was in Town had COVID-19 as one of the causes of death.

Government

Traffic Death Rate in Mass. Doubled in April, Despite Fewer People on the Roads

By |

The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is reporting that the rate of fatalities on Massachusetts roadways doubled in April: with 50 percent less traffic recorded on major highways, 28 individuals died in crashes, compared with the month of April 2019 when there were 27 deaths on roadways in the state.  The high fatality rate last month, underscores the importance of not exceeding the posted speed limit, wearing a seatbelt, driving sober, and obeying the hands-free law. “Our traffic and safety engineers continuously monitor roadways across the Commonwealth and have identified a dangerous trend that has led to the doubling of the vehicular fatality rate in Massachusetts for the month of April,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.  “During the pandemic, everyone in the Commonwealth has sacrificed and used disciplined actions to keep themselves, their loved ones, and our community safe.  We ask that all residents use this same dedication to safety and reduce their speeds when driving.”

“Reduced traffic volume is no excuse for excessive speed,” said Jeff Larason, Director of Highway Safety for the Executive Office of Safety and Security. “We’re reminding everyone to drive responsibly, wear a seat belt, and watch the road for cyclists and pedestrians.” Stacey Beuttell, Executive Director of WalkBoston, added, “With the stay-at-home advisory still in place, everyone should expect to see more neighbors walking, rolling, or running in the street as they try to maintain six feet of physical distance on narrow sidewalks. If you are driving, be prepared to yield to people walking and drive slowly. Empty streets are not a license to drive faster. Please consider every street a shared street and stay safe.”

Building Inspector

Town Accepting Building Permit Applications, Will Approve When State Reopens

By |

In preparation for when Massachusetts lifts its COVID-19 shutdown, the Town of Watertown will begin to accept building permits. Watertown Building Inspector Peter McLaughlin sent out details of how builders can submit plans on Monday afternoon. In mid-March, the Town stopped construction in Town and announced it would not accept applications for new projects as part of efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. A week later, the State issued a ruling that allowed some construction, such as residential projects, so some projects could continue construction in Watertown, but the application process remained halted. The latest order from Gov. Charlie Baker extended the State of Emergency, which includes halting of some construction, until May 18.

Government

School Committee Meeting Online Monday, Rec Department Hosting Facebook Live Open Forum

By |

The Watertown School Committee will hold its May meeting as an online meeting on Monday night at 7 p.m. and the Recreation Department will host an Open Forum session on Facebook Live. The School Committee’s agenda includes a presentation about the Phase 3 of remote learning in the Watertown Public Schools, information about WHS seniors and an update on the Building for the Future school building projects. See the entire agenda here. The meeting can be viewed live on WCA-TV (Comcast Channel 99, RCN Channel 13) and on Zoom at: https://bit.ly/3f7AAfy (Meeting ID: 926 0404 0459, Password: 142869). Recreation Department Meeting

On Tuesday night, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Recreation Director Peter Centola will hold an open forum on Facebook live.

Around Town

DCR Closing Grove Street in Watertown on Four Days in May

By |

The following information was provided by the Department of Conservation and Recreation:

On Sunday, May 3, 2020, Sunday, May 10, 2020, Sunday, May 17, 2020, and Monday, May 18, 2020, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will implement parkway lane closures along Grove Street in the Town of Watertown between Greenough Boulevard and Coolidge Avenue from 7:00PM to 5:00AM to conduct paving operations. Traffic patterns will be clearly marked, and a police detail will be on site. WHERE:       Grove Street in the Town of Watertown between Greenough Boulevard and Coolidge Avenue

WHEN:          Sunday, May 3, 2020, Sunday, May 10, 2020, Sunday May 17, 2020, and Monday May 18, 2020. 7:00PM to 5:00AM

Around Town

Gov. Baker Issues Order to Wear Face Masks in Stores & When Unable to Social Distance

By |

Gov. Charlie Baker, with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. All Massachusetts residents must cover their faces in public places as part of the effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. The requirement applies when people while they are outdoors and are unable to social distance, and all the time in indoor spaces such as stores. Gov. Charlie Baker announced the order Friday afternoon, and it takes effect on May 6. The exceptions include children under the age of 2 and those who have medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a face covering.

Around Town

Face Coverings Will be Required in Public in Watertown, Violators Will Face a Fine

By |

The Watertown Board of Health voted to require that people wear face coverings when out in public, indoors and out, or face a fine. The order is a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, said Town Health Director Larry Ramdin. The board voted to approve the order, which will take effect Monday, May 4 and requires anyone age 5 or older to wear something that covers their nose and mouth while in public places, but not necessarily a face mask. Other options include bandanas or scarfs that cover the nose and mouth. Exceptions will be made for children under age 5, as well as people who have health conditions or disabilities that prevent them from wearing a face covering.