Government

State Sen. Brownsberger Co-Hosting Online Town Hall on COVID-19

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

State Sen. Will Brownsberger and State Rep. Dave Rogers will be hosing a Town Hall meeting online Thursday night. The following announcement was provided by Sen. Brownsberger:

State Representative Dave Rogers and I will host a Zoom Town Hall on Thursday, April 16 at 7:00 PM to discuss the state’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and answer questions submitted by viewers.  

To join the Zoom Meeting, please use the information below:

Link: https://zoom.us/j/94791210043

Meeting ID: 947 9121 0043 

The Town Hall will also stream live on the Belmont Media Center website and Facebook page.  

Will BrownsbergerState Senator — 2nd Suffolk and Middlesex DistrictBack Bay, Fenway, Brighton, Allston, Watertown, Belmont

Around Town

List of COVID-19 Resources Provided by Congresswoman Clark

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Congresswoman Katherine Clark

The following letter was sent out by Congresswoman Katherine Clark, whose district includes Watertown. Hello Friend,

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has put a significant strain on families and students. I want to update you on what I’ve done in Congress to support the needs of our families and students, and also connect you to some relevant resources that are currently available for you and your loved ones. Last month, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the CARES Act, two emergency funding packages that take important steps to help address the urgent challenges facing our education system as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, these new laws provide essential child care services for front line workers that are keeping us safe, as well as paid extended leave for parents and caregivers. For K-12 students, we have enacted increased access to child nutrition programs and far-reaching academic support so that classrooms in cities and in rural America can take advantage of remote learning tools.

Business

Town Survey Surveying Small Businesses About How COVID-19 Has Impacted Them

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The Town of Watertown has created a survey to hear from small businesses in town and how they have been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. The online survey asks more than two dozen questions, including when businesses seek to reopen, how the community can help them and how much revenue they have lost due to the Coronavirus outbreak. The survey was posted by Watertown Department of Community Development and Planning. The survey will be open for a couple of weeks. CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY

Coronavirus

Town Council Meeting Virtually Tuesday, Discussing Budget, Parking Plan

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Watertown Town Hall

The Town Council will meeting for the first time since social distancing orders have prevented them from meeting in person. The meeting will be held virtually with the public able to participate by computer or phone. The agenda includes an update on the Town’s Fiscal 2021 budget, a proposal to move forward with the Parking Management Plan, and a discussion of the proposed contract for the Firefighters union. See the entire agenda by clicking here. Town Council President Mark Sideris told the Council in March that he will try not to have meetings during the COVID-19 outbreak, in part because it is difficult for the public to participate.

Government

Find Out About Unemployment Benefits for Those Impacted by the Coronavirus Outbreak

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Gov. Charlie Baker, with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. Gov. Charlie Baker discussed details of the unemployment benefits available through the Federal CARES Act, including for those who don’t traditionally qualify for such benefits. Those who qualify can get an additional $600 on top of the normal unemployment benefits, and payments will be retroactive to March 29, and will extend through the end of July. Unemployment benefits will also be available to self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers, and others who otherwise would not normally qualify. Find out more information and how to apply below.

Government

Town Holding Select Meetings Virtually, Budget May Have to be Presented Remotely

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Since the social distancing requirements were put into place in Massachusetts due to COVID-19, there has only been one meeting held in Watertown. One more meeting is scheduled this week and others may be held this month with members participating remotely. On Thursday, April 9, the Historical Commission will hold a meeting, which will be conducted remotely and residents can attend by videoconference or call in with comments during public hearings. The first meeting held during the COVID-19 outbreak was a March 23 School Committee meeting, where committee members and the public joined using the Zoom app. There were some complaints of people not being able to hear, and concerns that they could not participate.

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.