COVID-19 Reopening

Watertown Town Hall Reopening to the Public Later This Month

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Watertown Town Hall

Town Hall Will Reopen to the public on Monday, June 21, 2021, Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced. Driscoll included the following information in his weekly COVID-19 update. Consistent with Governor Baker’s ending of the State of Emergency, Town Hall administrative offices will reopen to the public on Monday, June 21, 2021. Summer hours at Town Hall are in effect through Friday, September 3rd. Hours will be as follows:

Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 8:30 AM – 5:00 PMTuesdays 8:30 AM – 7:00 PMFridays 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM

The Building Inspectors’ Offices are open at 7:30 AM until 5:00 PM or 7:00 PM, when offices in the Administration Building are open.

Development

Hearing About Future of Arsenal on the Charles, Plan for Trees on Campus Continues Monday

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Alexandria Real Estate EquitiesAn overhead view of the Arsenal on the Charles complex, with the new buildings proposed by Alexandria Real Estate Equities shown in blueish-grey. Arsenal Street runs along the top of the map, and North Beacon Street is the road the curves toward the bottom. Alexandria Real Estate Equities discussed their master plan for the Arsenal on the Charles complex at last Wednesday’s Planning Board meeting. The group will continue the discussion at a special Planning Board meeting on Monday, June 14. The group purchased the property located at 311 Arsenal St.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Robbed by 2 Teens, Driver Arrested on OUI After Speeding

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

June 5, 4:47 a.m.: An officer patrolling on Main Street heading eastbound saw a vehicle driving fast coming in the opposite direction. The Audi A7 was going approximately 50 mph and went through a red light at Main Street and Waverley Avenue. The officer turned around, turned on the cruiser’s lights and siren, and attempted to stop the vehicle. The car then ran a red light at Main and Lexington streets.

Armenian Museum of America

Watertown’s Armenian Museum Reopening in June, Will Begin with Health Protocols

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Armenian Museum of America

The Armenian Museum of America announced it will soon be reopening after being closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The museum sent the following letter out about the reopening:

Dear Members and Friends,On behalf of the Board of Trustees and Armenian Museum Team, we are thrilled the day has finally arrived that we can safely reopen our galleries to the community. In anticipation of this long-awaited day, we have been working on updating exhibitions, designing new exhibits, and developing programing to present both virtually and on-site to provide you with a meaningful and memorable cultural experience. The initial schedule and protocol for our reopening will begin on June 18th. The Museum will be open Fridays through Sundays from 12:00 noon to 6:00pm.

Charter Review

Council Will be Required to Hold Meetings with Residents, President will Continue to Serve on School Committee

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Watertown Town Hall

Town Councilors would be required to meet with residents, and answer their questions, at least once a year, under a recommendation passed by the Charter Review Committee. Another recommendation would have the Council President will continue to serve on the School Committee. The Town Charter defines how Watertown’s government operates, and every 10 years it is reviewed by the Charter Review Committee. The group, which is made up of Town Councilors and residents, approved a number of changes to the Charter at its meeting on June 1. The changes will be reviewed by the Town Council before ultimately going to the voters for final approval in November.

Arrest

Police Track Down Maine Man Wanted for Sending Obscene Material to a Child After 2 Years

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Watertown Police brought a man into custody who had been wanted for two years on charges of sending obscene material to a child. In 2019, the parents of a 12-year-old child contacted Watertown Police after their child received obscene images allegedly sent by Agasha Carvalho, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor, who added that Carvalho was known to the family who made the complaint. Based on the investigation of the incident, Watertown Police got a warrant for Carvalho’s arrest, O’Connor said, but could not serve the warrant because Carvalho lived in Bangor, Maine. “We could not enforce the warrant in the State of Maine,” O’Connor said. “On June 4, we received information that Mr. Carvalho was traveling to either Belmont or Waltham with his family.”

Around Town

Watertown Farmers’ Market Opens Next Week, See the List of Vendors for 2021

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The following announcement came from the Watertown Farmers’ market:

Opening Day is Just One Week Away! Mark Your Calendar for Wednesday June 16th ~ 2:30 – 6:30 PM. We’re so excited to open the 8th season of the Farmers’ Market, and look forward to seeing familiar as well as new faces in our favorite outdoor marketplace! Market Updates

This season will be much different than last, now that most COVID-19 restrictions have been rescinded by the State and CDC. As always, we strive to create a safe, inclusive, and comfortable environment, and encourage masks and social distancing for those who are more comfortable, and especially if unvaccinated.

Schools

School Committee Chairman Will Not Seek Re-election in November

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School Committee chair John Portz will not be seeking re-election in 2021. After 16 years on the Watertown School Committee, John Portz announced he will not be running for another term. The current School Committee chair announced his decision at Monday’s School Committee meeting. “As my term ends this year I will not be running for a new term,” Portz said. “It has been a privilege to serve on the committee, and to support our efforts, and build and maintain the best possible school system.”