Elections

State Rep Candidate Earns Endorsement of Social Worker Organization

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Democratic activist and Democratic State Committee member Steve Owens is running for the State Representative seat that Jon Hecht will be leaving. The following information was provided by the Campaign to Elect Steve Owens:

NASW – Massachusetts Chapter is committed to advancing professionalsocial work practice and the profession and to promoting human rights, social and economic justice, and unimpeded access to services for everyone. They are proud to announce their endorsement of Steve Owens, candidate for State Representative in the 29th Middlesex district. Founded in 1955, the National Association of Social Workers is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with more than 120,000 members across its 55 chapters. The Massachusetts Chapter of NASW is one of the largest chapters in the country with more than 6,300 members.

Business

See the Watertown Restaurants Approved for Outdoor Seating

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Deluxe Town Diner was one of several Watertown restaurants recently approved to have outdoor seating. Ten Watertown restaurants have been approved to have outdoor by the Town as part of a the COVID-19 reopening. Last week, the Licensing Board approved a temporary measure to allow Town Manager Michael Driscoll to approve temporary outdoor seating at restaurants in town. The following restaurants have been approved to have outdoor seating:

Gerry’s Italian Kitchen1072 Belmont Street

La Bodega21 Nichols Avenue

Conley’s Pub & Grille164 Belmont Street

Deluxe Town Diner627 Mount Auburn Street

Greg’s Restaurant821 Mount Auburn Street

Ixtapa Mexican Grill18 Mount Auburn Street

Ritcey East208 Waverley Avenue

Shiraz Cuisine72 Bigelow Avenue

Stellina47 Main Street

Tresca’s Eating Place25 Church Street

Before the local measure was passed, restaurants already approved to have outdoor seating could open on June 8, when Phase 2 of Gov. Baker’s reopening plan began. On June 22, restaurants can also start serving food indoors, with tables spaced at least 6 feet apart and parties no larger than six people.

Government

Congresswoman Clark Encourages Residents to Fill Out 2020 Census

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The following information was provided by Congresswoman Katherine Clark’s office. Her district includes Watertown:

68% of households in our district have already completed their U.S. Census 2020 form. That’s fantastic progress, but we need everyone to be counted to ensure that our community gets its fair share of federal resources for schools, transportation systems, family nutrition programs, and so many other vital services. Fill out the Census here! The 2020 Census determines how federal funding and resources will be distributed across our communities, and your participation can make a real difference to your family, loved ones and neighbors. If you haven’t completed your census form, please visit 2020Census.gov now—then pass this message along to family and friends! 

I hope you will make your voice heard by participating in the 2020 Census and do your part to ensure that everyone in our community is fairly and accurately counted.Sincerely,Katherine ClarkMember of Congress (MA-05)

Government

Playgrounds, Courts & Town Hall Reopening; Town Budget, Hosmer Traffic to be Discussed

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Tot lots and playgrounds will reopen this week, along with basketball courts and picnic and grilling areas in Watertown’s parks. Playgrounds and tot-lots will reopen this week, along with basketball courts and other Recreation facilities. Also this week, the Town Council will hold budget hearings, and traffic around Hosmer School during construction is on the Traffic Commission’s agenda. Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced that more Recreational facilities will reopen after being closed to the public during the COVID-19 shutdown. On Wednesday, June 24th, playgrounds and tot lots, basketball courts, and picnic tables and grills (by permit only) will reopen.

Business

Gov. Allows Start of Limited Indoor Dining, Nail, Tanning & Other Businesses

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Gov. Charlie Baker, with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. On Monday, June 22, diners will be able to grab a meal inside Massachusetts restaurants, and beauty and personal services such as nail salons, tanning salons, tattoo parlors and personal trainers will be allowed to reopen from the state’s COVID-19 shutdown. Friday afternoon, Gov. Charlie Baker announced the beginning of Phase 2, Step 2 in the four phase reopening plan. The First Step started on June 8, which included outdoor dining and retail stores. Restaurant capacity will be limited due to social distancing requirements.

Around Town

Public Invited to Help Create Principles for Watertown’s Community Preservation Process

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The Community Preservation Committee is determined not to let the COVID-19 pandemic slow progress toward awarding the first set of projects, but before that can happen they have some work to do and are seeking the public’s help to do so. The next step is a Webinar on Tuesday, June 30 from 6-7 p.m., which is being held in lieu of the second public forum. (See more information about the webinar and how to register below). In January, the group had a public forum to hear what types of projects residents want to see the Community Preservation funds used on. They also did an online survey and held focus groups in March just before for the shutdown, and had planned a second public forum in April but that had to be cancelled, said Lanae Handy, the Community Preservation Coordinator.

29th Middlesex

State Rep. Candidate Steve Owens Garners Mass Alliance’s Endorsement

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Democratic activist and Democratic State Committee member Steve Owens is running for the State Representative seat that Jon Hecht will be leaving. The following information was provided by the Steve Owens for State Rep. Campaign:

Mass Alliance, a coalition of a wide range of political organizations dedicated to making Massachusetts more progressive, is proud to announce its endorsement of Steve Owens, candidate for State Representative in the 29th Middlesex district. “Steve has been a longtime ally of Mass Alliance and has shown that he is deeply committed to making the commonwealth a more progressive, inclusive, and just place. He has worked closely with us for many years and understands that implementing legislation that reflects those qualities is how we address the many issues that we face. As an organization who champions progressive activism, we are happy to be supporting his candidacy.” – Jordan Berg Powers, Executive Director at MassAlliance.

Elections

OP-ED: Sen. Brownsberger Discusses Voting by Mail in Mass.

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

The following was provided by State Sen. Will Brownsberger, who represents Watertown, Belmont and parts of Boston:

Massachusetts voters will have three options in the statewide elections this fall: They will be able to vote early by mail, vote early in person, or vote in person on election day. The Massachusetts Senate passed a bill providing these options (Tuesday, June 16) and the House has already passed a similar bill. Our hope is that final legislation will be on the Governor’s desk very shortly. The new voting options are intended to reduce the risks of transmitting COVID-19. We hope that many voters will choose to vote by mail and avoid physically appearing at the polls.