Around Town

New COVID-19 Rules on Face Masks, Restaurants, Private Gatherings Start Friday

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Massachusetts residents face new regulations that include an evening stay-at-home advisory, tightens face covering rules, closes some businesses early, reduces size of requires earlier closing times for some businesses and reduces the allowed size of gatherings. Gov. Charlie Baker announced the changes to the COVID-19 rules this week. The stay-at-home advisory for “unnecessary activities” runs from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Face masks or coverings must be worn in all public places (even if it is possible to stay 6 feet apart)The businesses that must close by 9:30 p.m. include restaurants, movie theaters, indoor and outdoor events and youth and adult sports activitiesGatherings at private residences are limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors

Town Manager Michael Driscoll sent out the following information in his Weekly COVID-19 Update:

On Monday, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a series of targeted measures to disrupt the increasing trend of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Governor Baker announced these changes at a time where public health data has indicated that cases are rising, with cases up by 278 percent and hospitalizations up by 145 percent since Labor Day. These measures are meant to disrupt rising trends now, so the Commonwealth can keep the economy and schools open for residents and to prevent the need to roll back to Phase I or Phase II of the reopening plan.

Around Town

Find Out What’s Going on with Watertown Rec. at the Open Forum Tonight

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The Watertown Recreation Department will be having an Open Forum on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 7-8 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually. The Recreation Department is offering this zoom meeting to give our residents an opportunity to listen to updates and ask questions regarding the following items:

• Fall Program Wrap Up• Winter Programming Opportunities – Looking for suggestions• Filippello Park (Grove) Field Lighting / Filippello Park (Arlington) Fence Update• Arsenal Park (Phase A) in Process• Recreation Department Looking For Staff• JAR Rink Re-Opening• Halloween Monstah Joyride – Thanks to Commanders Mansion and Others• David W. Hoffman Donations• Snow Shoveling Program• Social Media / Notify Me / Recreation Website

Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/81986231121?pwd=RXFzZWxsRHVuRjRLUTFEbldtZDljQT09Meeting ID: 819 8623 1121Passcode: 380225

One tap mobile+13017158592,,81986231121#,,,,,,0#,,380225# US (Germantown)+13126266799,,81986231121#,,,,,,0#,,380225# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)Meeting ID: 819 8623 1121Passcode: 380225Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kb6GWaTwiG

Around Town

Watertown Library Has Take-and-Make Crafts, Storytime & Movies on Zoom

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The Watertown Free Public Library. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

As the weather turns cold, tune in to your favorite Library programs and classes from the comfort of your living room. This month on Zoom, step up your job search, prove your Parks and Rec TV knowledge, or design a custom, laser-etched coaster. Do you you know someone who does not have computer or internet access? Send them to the Library!

Around Town

Watertown Martial Arts Instructor Nominated for National Award, See How to Vote

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Watertown martial arts instructor Michael Pepe has been nominated for a national award, and people can vote through Nov. 16. A Watertown martial arts instructor has been nominated for a national instructor of the year award, and people can vote online through mid-November. Watertown’s Michael Pepe, from the Shorin-ryu Karatedo and Kubudo Association of America, received a nomination for the 2020 Greatmats National Striking Martial Arts Instructor of the Year. Pepe grew up and Watertown and retired from the Watertown Fire Department after a 31-year career, according to his biography on the SKKAA website.

Around Town

Emmy Winning Movie Part of Education Program Co-Founded by Watertown Educator

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The Emmy-award winning documentary “Dawnland” was made by The Upstander Project, a group co-founded by Watertown’s Mishy Lesser. The film will be shown on PBS’s World Channel in November. A Watertown resident teamed with a local filmmaker to use documentary film and educational materials with the goal of dismantling hurtful and stereotypical ideas, as well as teaching people about the experiences and history of Native Americans that many do not learn in school. Mishy Lesser, an educator from Watertown, co-founded the Upstander Project with local filmmaker Adam Mazo. The project has made several films, including the Emmy-award winning Dawnland, which will be shown in November on PBS, including locally on the World Channel.

Around Town

A Virtual Raffle, Singing & Exercise Classes from the Senior Center This Week

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Watertown Senior Center

The Watertown Senior Center provided this week’s programs, which are available remotely. Programs for Week of November 2, 2020

Join us via Zoom for the following programs. Call for access info: (617) 972-6490. New participants always welcome in every program! We hope you’ll join us! Monday:      10:00 AM, Art with Dawn Scaltreto                     12:30 PM, Chair Yoga with DianeTuesday:      Election Day…Don’t Forget to Vote!

Around Town

COVID-19 Cases Rising in Watertown, Town Remains in Yellow

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A screenshot of the state’s Community Level COVID-19 Reporting map released on Oct. 29, 2020. Watertown remained “yellow” in the State’s COVID-19 tracking program this week, but the number of positive cases of COVID-19 rose close to the threshold for the Town to become “red,” or high risk. The Town has a total of 34 positive COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks for a total of 514. That puts Watertown’s rate at 7.32 cases per 100,000 residents, so the town remained yellow (or moderate risk).

Around Town

Watertown Residents Can Help Neighbors Celebrate Thanksgiving in 2020

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Mutual Aid, which is sponsored by the Watertown Community Foundation and Wayside Youth and Family Support Network, sent out details about how to provide or request support:

As the Winter Holiday season begins, we want everyone to be able to celebrate with good food on the table. Fill out this form https://forms.gle/373WyM4aoCxDH8tL6 to support a family or request support in celebrating Thanksgiving, Thursday November 26th. Support can include a gift card to a grocery store or restaurant, a home-cooked meal, or grocery delivery. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Sophia, the Community Coordinator at watertownmutualaid@waysideyouth.org or 617-744-9585. If you need other resources, contact the Watertown Social Services Resource Specialist (SSRS) Program at 617-744-9585.