Around Town

CatholicTV Broadcasting St. Patrick’s Mass from Boston on Tuesday

By |

The following announcement was provided by Watertown-based CatholicTV Network:

On Tuesday, March 17, the CatholicTV Network will air Mass for the Feast of Saint Patrick, the principal patron of the Archdiocese of Boston, celebrated by Cardinal Seán O’Malley, O.F.M., from the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. 

During Mass, Cardinal O’Malley will offer prayers for all those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Reverend Monsignor Liam Bergin will be the homilist. Ciarán Nagle, world-renowned Irish tenor, will provide music. There will be no congregants present at the Mass. The Mass will air live on CatholicTV at 12pm ET and will be rebroadcast at 8pm ET.

Around Town

Watertown Library Closed for 3 Weeks, Online Services Available

By |

Watertown Free Public Library

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

The Watertown Free Public Library will be closed to the public from March 14 – April 6 to help minimize the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19.) The Library is currently scheduled to reopen on April 7. This date is subject to change. During the Library’s closure, patrons are encouraged to keep borrowed items at home, even if they are overdue. The Minuteman Library Network (MLN) is extending all due dates until at least mid-April. Fines will be waived while the Library is closed.

Around Town

Mass. Gov. Bans Gatherings, Over 25, Makes Restaurants Take-Out Only & Closes All Schools

By |

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced some sweeping steps to try to control the outbreak of Coronavirus in Massachusetts Sunday evening, including limiting the size of gatherings, allowing restaurants only to serve take out meals and closing all the schools in the state. During the press conference he said there are no plans currently to have residents shelter in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. He did stress that people should only gather in small groups, according to a report on WCVB Channel 5. “These gatherings include all community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based events, sporting events with spectators, concerts, conventions and any similar event or activity that brings together 25 or more people in single room or a single space at the same time. This includes venues like fitness centers, private clubs and theaters,” Baker said.

Around Town

Watertown Boys & Girls Club Closing as Precaution for Coronavirus

By |

The Watertown Boys & Girls Club announced it will follow the lead of the Watertown Public Schools and will close temporarily as a precaution after the outbreak of the Coronavirus in the area. Executive Director Renee Gaudette said: “At this point in time, WBGC will remain closed in sync with Watertown Public Schools. We are working closely with all town departments to ensure the safety of our members, families and community.” She added that updates about Club operations will be posted to the WBGC website (http://www.watertownbgc.org/) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/WatertownBoysandGirlsClub/). Originally, the Club planned to close for deep cleaning and reopen on Monday, but that was before the Watertown School’s decision to close through March 27.

Around Town

Watertown’s Winter Parking Ban Lifted Early

By |

The winter parking ban in Watertown has been lifted a few weeks early, due to the mild weather. At Tuesday’s Town Council Meeting, Town Council President Mark Sideris requested that Town officials consider lifting the on-street parking ban due to run through the end of March because of the warm weather, which was forecast to continue. On Friday, Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn announced the suspension of enforcement of the parking ban. He released the following statement:

Police Chief Michael Lawn would like to inform you that Watertown will lift enforcement of the all night parking ban effective Saturday, March 14, 2020. The Department of Public Works, Police Department and Fire Department would like to remind motorists that keeping the streets clear allows for road repairs, street cleaning and easy access for public safety vehicles.

Around Town

Presumptive Case of Coronavirus in Watertown, Schools Shutting for 2 Weeks

By |

The Watertown Health Department is investigating a case of Coronavirus in Watertown, and the Watertown Public Schools will be closed temporarily beginning Friday. ​The update on the Town of Watertown website reads:

We have been advised that there is a presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in Watertown. The case is not associated with the schools and has no children in the school system. The Health Department case investigation is ongoing and we will provide additional information tomorrow. Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston confirmed that the Watertown Public Schools will be closed for two weeks beginning Friday.

Around Town

Watertown Events Being Cancelled, Postponed Due to Coronavirus

By |

Several local events have been cancelled as a precaution due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Coronavirus. The Majestic 7, Watertown’s new movie theaters, announced that it has postponed its grand opening festivities planned for March 14-15. Dates for the rescheduled event have not been announced. The theaters remain open for regular business. Revels singing group announced that the Spring Sing in Watertown on March 21 has been cancelled.

Around Town

OP-ED: Cancel It if You Can – Taking Responsibility for Controlling the Pandemic

By |

State Sen. Will Brownsberger

Will Brownsberger is the State Senator for Watertown, Belmont and parts of Boston:

The pandemic will eventually touch many of us. What matters most is the speed of the pandemic. If the virus spreads too fast and too many of us are sick at the same time, we will overwhelm the health care system. People may not be able to get the care they need – for the virus or for any other health problem.  That’s what is starting to happen now in Italy. Doctors are discussing how to make brutal triage decisions effectively condemning weaker patients to die. We need to slow the virus down and since none of us are immune and there is no vaccine yet, we have only one way to protect our community:  To reduce unnecessary contact.