Around Town

2 Firefighters Test Positive for COVID-19; 2 More Virus Related Deaths in Watertown

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Several Watertown Firefighters quarantined themselves after two members of the Fire Department tested positive for the Coronavirus. One of those who tested positive has already recovered, and the second is still recovering, said Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn. “When the first Firefighter tested positive we had to quarantine four other Firefighters for 14 days,” Quinn said. “None of them developed any symptoms and are all back to work. We had another firefighter test positive and had to send three others for testing due to the possible exposure, but luckily they all came back negative.” Where the firefighters became infected is not known, Quinn said, but it is possible it was while they were on duty.

Around Town

Information About Individual Stimulus Payments from the CARES Act

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Watertown residents may already have received an Economic Impact Payment from the Federal government in their bank accounts as part of the stimulus payments as part of the CARES Act. For others, a check will be coming in the mail. People who make less than $75,000 in gross income will receive the full $1,200, and anyone making under $99,000 will receive some payment. For details, and to check on your payment status, visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments

Also, Watertown Savings Bank has provided an information guide about the CARES Act individual payments, See it below:

Economic Impact Payment—What you need to know

The federal government recently passed the CARES Act to support millions of people during these unprecedented times caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19). This sweeping legislation offers financial assistance directly to individuals and families.

Government

With State Funds Still Unknown, Town Council Delays Budget; Officials Expect Loss of Other Revenues

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Watertown’s Town Hall. In a normal year, Watertown officials would be starting the Town Budget process now, but after “all hell broke loose” with the Coronavirus, the Town Council voted to delay the process until they can get an idea of how much money will be coming from the state and other sources, such as local meals and hotel taxes. On March 10, when the Town Council last met, they voted to give Town officials two extra weeks to submit the budget, moving the date back to April 28. Town Council President Mark Sideris said the world changed quickly after that. “As soon as we made that vote, for lack of a better word, all hell broke loose,” Sideris said before asking the Town Council to further delay in the submission of the budget.

Around Town

UPDATED: Third Watertown COVID-19 Fatality Reported as Mass. Death Toll Jumps

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Two more Watertown residents have died from causes related to the Coronavirus since the Town’s first fatality was reported on Friday, April 10. On Tuesday, Massachusetts had its highest number of deaths in one day, 113. A 66-year-old man and a 94-year-old woman are the two most recent fatalities in Watertown, Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced during Tuesday night’s Town Council Meeting. The Town updated the number of cases were on the Watertown Health Department’s COVID-19 webpage. As of Tuesday, Watertown has 109 positive cases of the Coronavirus, and 34 people have recovered.

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.