Entertainment

Find Out About Weddings at Commander’s Mansion During COVID-19

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UPDATE: Please note the change of date. Couples can find out about having a wedding at Watertown’s Historic Commander’s Mansion during COVID-19 at and event called “Gossip!” The event will be held on Oct. 28 from 6-8 p.m. at the mansion, 440 Talcott St., Watertown (off Arsenal Street), which is owned by the Town of Watertown. Under the state’s COVID-19 rules numbers of people are limited, and the organizers will show attendees about what a petite event during the pandemic looks like.

Charter Review Commission

Town Charter Review, Noise Ordinance Discussions Delayed by Council

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Watertown Town Hall

On a night where the Town Council voted to approve the purchase of a new radios for the Fire Department and the BlueBike stations, the Council postponed discussions of a couple major items: the Town Charter review and proposed changes to the Noise Ordinance. The Town Charter review occurs every 10 years in years ending in zero, while the Noise Ordinance has been debated and discussed for more than a year. Town Council President Mark Siders said he has concerns about holding such important meetings under the restrictions of the state’s COVID-19 rules which limit in-person gatherings to 25 people. A subcommittee report on the Aug. 11 Noise Ordinance was read by the Council Tuesday night.

Business

Small Businesses Can Apply for COVID-19 Assistance Grants

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Watertown businesses with five or fewer employees can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to address emergency needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses can apply for the Microenterprise Grants through the Town of Watertown, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corp., which is awarding the federally funded grants that come from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The deadline to apply for the grants is Sept. 25, 2020. As of 2016, a Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) survey found that Watertown had about 900 businesses that would fit into the microenterprise category.

Around Town

See How to Apply for Watertown’s COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program

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The Town of Watertown provided the following information:

The Watertown Housing Partnership has set up an Emergency Rental Assistance Program for Watertown renters who have lost income and are having trouble paying rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This assistance is temporary and will provide assistance for up to three months to Watertown renters not receiving other government rental assistance and earning below 80% of Area Median Income. Assistance is for up to $750 for a 1-bedroom apartment, $950 for a 2-bedroom apartment, and $1,150 for a 3-bedroom apartment. Anyone interested in applying should contact Robyn Rufo at Metro West Collaborative directly for an application (robyn@metrowestcd.org or 617-923-3505 ext. 5). Applications are due to Metro West Collaborative by Thursday, September 24. For more details, see this flyer.

Around Town

Health Department Reminder for Labor Day About Limits on Gatherings Due to COVID-19

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The Watertown Health Department sent out the following announcement about Labor Day Gatherings and COVID-19:

As we are approaching the long weekend the Watertown Health Department would like to remind you of the guidance from the state regarding social gatherings and the importance of social distancing. For all gatherings there can only be eight people per 1,000 square feet with a maximum of 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors. Please remember to wash your hands often, wear face coverings, and maintain social distancing at all times. We are working together to stop the spread of COVID-19. Please remember that these guidelines are in place to protect each of us and our community.

Elections

After Election, State Reps. Have Issues to Tackle in State House

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John Lawn, left, won re-election to his sixth term as 10th Middlesex State Representative, while Steve Owens won his first election to be the State Rep. for the 29th Middlesex District. With the long campaign and election day behind them, Watertown’s two state representatives now have some work to do in the State House. They face issues that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic, along with those around before the shutdown. Beacon Hill is familiar territory for John Lawn, who will be entering his sixth term as the 10th Middlesex State Representative. The impacts of the pandemic will be his top concern.

Business

Plastic Bag Ban Goes Back into Effect in Watertown

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The ban on stores using single-use plastic bags has been re-instituted in Watertown after being put on hold during the Governor’s COVID-19 shutdown. The Watertown Zoning and Code Enforcement office sent out the following announcement:

Dear Watertown Business Owners and Residents,

As of Friday July 10, 2020, Governor Baker has lifted the freeze on the plastic bag ban ordinance, as well as the ban on reusable bags. The Watertown Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban Ordinance is now back in effect. In order to give business owners time to make the transition away from plastic bags, enforcement will not begin until October 1st. We encourage businesses to make the transition as soon as possible.

10th Middlesex

Owens, Lawn Win in Watertown State Rep. Races

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After Tuesday’s election, Watertown has one new State Representative and one returning to the State House. In the three way race for the 29th Middlesex seat, former chair of the Democratic Town Committee Steve Owens took nearly 60 percent of the vote. He received 7,602 votes, or 61 percent, in the district that includes most of Watertown and part of Cambridge. Town Council President Mark Sideris got nearly 24 percent, with 2,972, and consultant David Ciccarelli got about 15 percent (1,851 votes). In Watertown, Owens got 4,148 votes, or 60 percent of the vote, while Sideris got 25 percent (1,757 votes), and Ciccarelli got 1,091 votes (15 percent).