Around Town

Town Offering Free COVID-19 Testing in January

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The following information was provided by the Town of Watertown:

The Town of Watertown is offering, by appointment only, one – free COVID-19 Test for Watertown residents. Testing is free, does not require a medical referral and you do not need to have COVID-19 symptoms to get tested. Pre-registration is required to receive a test (preregistration details below) and we ask that you only sign up for one test to allow other residents access to testing.]

Testing will be held inside the Commander’s Mansion 440 Talcott Avenue on the following dates and times:

Tuesday January 5, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PMWednesday January 6, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PMTuesday January 12, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PMWednesday January 13, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PMTuesday January 19, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PMWednesday January 20, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PMTuesday January 26, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PMWednesday January 27, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

In order to obtain an appointment a Watertown resident must pre-register by clicking on the following link: https://proemscovidtesting.as.me/watertown

This is not a drive up test. Watertown residents who have an appointment will enter into the Commander’s Mansion and with the assistance of Pro Ambulance employees will conduct a self-administering nasal swab (PCR test). Test results: As a reminder, a negative test does not mean you cannot spread COVID-19, or get infected with COVID-19, at a later date.

Around Town

COVID Vaccinations Coming Soon to Watertown Senior Living Community

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People living at The Residence at Watertown Square senior living community will be among the first to get the COVID-19 vaccine. {Updated on Jan. 4, 2021 at 4 p.m. with new testing day}

The residents of a senior living community will be some of the first people in Watertown to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The first shots are expected to be given to residents and staff at The Residence at Watertown Square on Jan. 22, 2021, said Ted Doyle, a spokesperson for The Residence, which is part of LCB Senior Living.

Around Town

Watertown Passes 1,000 COVID-19 Cases, No New Deaths

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Watertown’s COVID-19 cases rose again in the most recent report from the Mass. Department of Public Health, adding more than 100 new cases to the total and moving the Town past the 1,000 mark. According to the Dec. 17 report, which the DPH released on Dec. 27, Watertown has had a total of 1,023 COVID-19 cases during the pandemic, up 134 from the previous week.

Around Town

Watertown Temporarily Lifting Winter Parking Ban

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Watertown’s winter parking ban will be temporarily lifted for the holiday season, which allows residents to park on the street overnight unless weather requires plowing. The Watertown Police Department sent out the following announcement:

With the Holidays fast approaching, the Watertown Police Department recognizes the need for additional overnight parking. Chief of Police Michael P. Lawn has announced that effective December 24, 2020 officers will temporarily stop enforcing the All Night Parking Ban – barring any snowfall that would require plowing or sanding. Should there be a snow event please refer to the town website for available off-street parking locations. 

Chief Lawn still encourages all homeowners to use available off-street parking during the overnight hours. Enforcement of the All Night Parking Ban will resume on January 4, 2021.

Around Town

State Order Reduces Capacity at Watertown Library, Biggest Impact Likely on Children’s Area

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

On Saturday, December 26 Watertown Free Public Library capacity will betemporarily reduced further per Governor Baker’s order restricting users to 25% of total capacity. The Children’s and Teen rooms will be reduced from 20 patrons to 10 patrons simultaneously and the second floor will be reduced from 80 patrons to 40 patrons simultaneously. It is expected that the biggest impact will be on the children’s room which has been the only area in the library toreach capacity, albeit only a handful of times. “We opened with a capacity already well below the mandated 40% limit. We’re taking this further step to ensure that we can remain open for thepeople who need us” said Library Director, Leone Cole.

Around Town

Health Director: Watertown Experienced Thanksgiving COVID-19 Bump

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A sharp increase in COVID-19 cases seen in recent weeks in Watertown was due in part to people getting together for Thanksgiving, said Watertown Health Director Larry Ramdin. More than 100 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Watertown by the state Department of Public Health in the most recent weekly report, and the percentage of positive tests also grew. At the Dec. 16 Watertown Board of Health meeting, Ramdin said that most of the new infections were within family units, and some were sports related. “Many of it we are ascribing to people returning home from regions where there were a high number of cases.

Around Town

Teen’s Stolen Scooter Replaced by Watertown Police

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A teenage boy from Watertown had his motorized scooter stolen from his place of work recently, but he didn’t have to go without wheels for very long. Darius, 19, reported his scooter missing one day after working at Home Depot. The teen had saved up to buy the scooter by working at the store. When the Watertown Police heard about the incident they bought him a replacement scooter through the WPD’s Sonny Whooley Foundation, which provides gifts to children during the Holidays, according to Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. See more details, and an interview with Darius and one of the officers who gave him the scooter in this WHDH Channel 7 report.

Around Town

Senior Online Events: Pilates, Art & Conversation with Tom

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Watertown Senior Center

The Senior Center will be hosting a number of programs during the week of December 21, 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, 12/21:     10:00 AM, Art with Dawn Scaltreto12:30 PM, Chair Yoga with Diane                Tuesday, 12/22:10:00 AM, Public Safety Coffee12:30 PM, Tai Chi & Meditation2:00 PM, Line Dancing                      Wednesday, 12/23:  10:00 AM, Discover Your Purpose Part 211:00 AM, Exercise with Joanna                    Thursday, 12/24: Center closes at Noon for Christmas Eve. 9:00 AM, Pilates10:30 AM, Conversation with TomFriday 12/25: Closed for Christmas Day. Merry Christmas!