Government

Charter Review Committee Takes Straw Poll, Reviews Current Document

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Watertown’s Town Hall. The Charter Review Committee gave a little insight into which way its members are leaning in the question of whether to keep the current form of government or change to one with a mayor. The committee took a straw poll toward the end of Tuesday night’s meeting, in which six of the 15 members said they were leaning toward keeping the current government with a council and strong town manager. None said they were leaning toward a mayoral form, but nine abstained. The vote was proposed by Town Councilor Ken Woodland, who said he wanted to help give the consultants from the Collins Center at UMass Boston an idea of what to work on for future meetings.

Sports

Watertown Boys Hoops Cruises vs. Lexington, Girls Fall & Boys Hockey Triumphs

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Watertown senior Gabe Spinelli scored 39 points in the Raiders’ win over Lexington in the Middlesex League Tournament. Gabe Spinelli’s 39 points led Watertown’s dominating 75-57 win over Lexington in the first round Middlesex League boys basketball tournament game, Wednesday at WHS. The Raiders claimed the second seed in the special tournament organized by the league after the MIAA decided not to hold winter sports tournaments due to COVID-19. After the game, Watertown Head Coach Steve Harrington said he would love to be coaching the team in the State Tournament, but was happy with how his team played in the league tourney. Lexington, the seventh seed, kept the game tight in the first half.

Around Town

State’s COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility List Expanded

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Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn gets a COVID-19 vaccination shot during the clinic for police and firefighters run by the Watertown Health Department. Massachusetts residents ages 65 and older can begin getting the COVID-19 vaccine beginning Thursday, Feb. 18, along with others added to the groups that qualify. The additions to the vaccination list were announced on Wednesday by the Mass Department of Public Health. Others added to the list include people who have at least two comorbidities, as well as residents who live and work in low-income or affordable senior housing facilities.

Schools

Several Positions Would be Added in Watertown School’s “Level Service” Budget

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The Watertown School schools have a little over $100,000 left in next year’s budget after preserving the current staffing and programs, the School Committee heard last week. Director of Finance and Operations Heidi Perkins presented the level-service budget last week, which would be $53.75 million including a 3.5 percent increase in funding from the Town. That amount does not include other funds such as state special education circuit breaker money, which will add about half of the increase that makes the total budget $57 million. While the budget will go up by about $1.8 million, Perkins said that only six percent of that will be available for new proposals. The level-service budget, however, does include some new positions.

Around Town

Three COVID-19 Deaths in Watertown, Number of Cases Declining

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Watertown’s COVID-19 cases continued to drop this week, but the Town saw three more COVID-19 deaths. The fatalities, reported by the Watertown Health Department in the Town Manager’s weekly COVID-19 message, were the first for the Town since the first week of 2021. Watertown had 133 cases reported over the previous 14 days in the Mass. Department of Public Health report of Feb. 11, 2021.

Arrests

Police Log: Attempted Home Break-in, Man Arrested After Shoplifting Spree

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

Feb. 3, 7:35 p.m.: A shoplifting in-progress was reported by Target security., While police were on the way to the store they received information that the suspect had fled the store. Officers located a man fitting the suspect’s description on Arsenal Street just outside the Watertown Mall. The suspect immediately said, “I am sorry for taking the items. I will give them back.”

Around Town

District Attorney Investigating Reports of Elder Abuse, Neglect at Watertown Facility

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A Watertown long-term facility is being investigated after reports of elder abuse and neglect surfaced. Vero Health & Rehab, also called the Watertown Health Center, is the focus of an investigation by the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office after Watertown Police responded to reports of abuse of residents at the facility on Coolidge Hill Road, according to a report by WBZ Channel 4 investigation. WBZ found reports of residents who were bruised and suffered cuts, firefighters finding a man on the floor injured and asking for help, and a patient’s ventilator not working. Hundreds of 911 calls were made from the facility in the last couple years, including some from patients. State officials found the facility was deficient in COVID-19 infection control, according to the story, and Medicare surveys rated the overall quality of care he below average.

Around Town

Vaccine Clinic for Watertown Residents Age 75+ Planned, CVS Has Appointments

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The following announcement was provided by the Town of Watertown:

Watertown Health Department – COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for Watertown Seniors age 75 and older. The Watertown Health Department has been allotted 100 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine by the Department of Public Health, per State requirements. A clinic will be held for Watertownresidents 75 and older ONLY on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 from 9am-11:30am, Community Room, Watertown Police Department, 552 Main Street. An appointment is required to get a vaccine. To register and for more information, go to:https://www.maimmunizations.org/clinic/private_registration/97f13e6e-e981-442a-916f-1f96c0a2c8c4

Watertown Seniors requiring assistance with registering for this clinic can call the Senior Center at (617) 972-6490.