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Free Produce Deliveries Available for SNAP/HIP Customers

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Farmers Market:

Mass Food Delivery is offering SNAP/HIP customers a variety of options to access Farm Fresh food with FREE delivery to your door. (free delivery for SNAP eligible customers only)

See information here https://massfooddelivery.com/

Are you looking for a way to access your $40 HIP benefit? Mass Food Delivery is offering a 15 lb. mixed produce box of fruits & vegetables (a$40 value). Delivered to your door FREE with a HIP transaction.

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Registry of Motor Vehicles Extends Deadlines for Renewals of Registrations, Licenses

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The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is announcing today it will be implementing further extensions to the renewal timelines for expiring motor vehicle inspection stickers, passenger plate registrations, professional credentials, and licenses and permits, including Commercial Driver’s Licenses and Commercial Driver’s License Permits (CDLs / CLPs). While the RMV has previously announced 60-day extensions for most credentials, passenger plate registrations and inspection stickers expired or expiring in March and April, today’s action will apply the same 60-day extension to those expiring in May. Those with March 2020 expirations impacted by the first 60-day extension, will have an additional 60-day extension applied. These additional extensions under Governor Charlie Baker’s declaration of a State of Emergency the week of March 9th, replicate the ongoing measures the RMV is taking to reduce the need for customers to physically visit an RMV Service Center or one of its business partners’ facilities, allowing for ‘social-distancing’ by decreasing non-essential travel and customer volume. The new changes to expiration extensions are now in effect as follows:

All non-commercial driver’s licenses, ID cards, and Learner’s Permits that expire in May 2020, will now expire in July 2020 and do not need to be renewed at this time. This extension will also apply to those whose expired March 2020 credential was already extended by 60 days.

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Watertown Library Creates One-Stop COVID-19 Info Webpage

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The Watertown Free Public Library has created a one-stop guide for information about COVID-19 and related issues, including unemployment, where to get food assistance and people’s physical and mental health. See more information in the announcement sent out by the library below:

There is so much information about the COVID-19 pandemic available, sometimes it can feel overwhelming. To help Watertown residents navigate this confusing time, the Watertown Free Public Library has developed a COVID-19 Resource Guide, a “one-stop shop” website that makes it easy to find the latest health guidance and assistance programs available. View the Watertown COVID-19 Resource Guide here: watertownlib.org/covid19guide

In Watertown, there are many resources available to those who are struggling with physical and mental health concerns, unemployment, and food insecurity. Now, as so many lives and livelihoods are turned upside-down by the COVID-19 pandemic, those resources are more valuable than ever. 

WFPL’s Resource Guide covers food security, financial assistance, housing assistance, elder care, scams, community engagement and more.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Carroll Center Offers Virtual Rehabilitation for the Blind & Visually Impaired

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The following information was provided by the Carroll Center for the Blind:

To ensure that people who are blind and visually impaired receive training and support during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Carroll Center for the Blind in Newton, MA has launched virtual program offerings for individuals of all ages and all stages of vision loss. The adjustment to vision loss does not stop given the ongoing pandemic—in fact, the need to stay connected to critical blindness rehabilitation is more important than ever. Although the nonprofit is not currently providing face-to-face instruction on its campus or in the community, the renowned blindness rehabilitation institution is providing instruction through a variety of remote methods to school-age students, adults, and seniors across the nation. The Carroll Center’s team of expert vision professionals are remotely teaching on a variety of topics, including:

·       Activities of Daily Living

·       Technology Skills and Assistive Technology

·       Braille

·       Low Vision Devices

·       Employment Readiness

·       Health Management

Recognizing that schooling and many workplace meetings are now being offered through Zoom and similar telecommunications platforms, the nonprofit is also teaching consumers how to effectively use these technologies. Additionally, the Center is providing counseling support, assistance with resources and diabetes management, as well as support to use the variety of remote methods such as Zoom.

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Watertown Library Moves Programs & Classes Online

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The historic facade of the Watertown Free Public Library. Even though the Watertown Free Public Library building is closed, the staff continues to provide services to residents online, including classes and programs.

The activities will be presented in a variety of virtual formats, including using Facebook Live and Zoom meetings. The library sent out the following information about its programs:

Yoga is back. Knitting group is back. Cook the Books is back.