Government

Watertown Winter Overnight Parking Ban Dates Announced

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The following announcement was provided by the Town of Watertown:

Watertown Chief of Police Michael P. Lawn has announced the 2020-2021 Winter Parking Ban dates. Effective Monday November 30, 2020 and continuing to April 1, 2021 the Winter Parking Ban will be in effect and strictly enforced. The regulation reads in part; “No vehicle may remain on any public way for more than one hour between the hours of 1 AM and 6 AM all days of the week.”

For residents who lack sufficient off-street parking, the Town allows for temporary parking at any municipal parking lot and other locations noted:

The police station at 552 Main Street (visitor’s parking lot only)Any public school parking lot except the Cunniff SchoolMarion Road parking lot at Victory FieldO’Connell Park, (lot at the corner of Boylston Street and Mt Auburn Street)Grove Street parking lot at Filippello Park (No parking in the spaces along the driveway)101 Morse Street – 14 spaces at the rear of the parking lot (currently being constructed, available once completed)

Please note that these locations may be used free of charge, however vehicles may only use available spaces after 7 PM and must be removed by 7 AM the following day. Vehicles must be removed from school property no later than 6 AM. Violators may be towed.

Government

Parking Plan with High-Tech Meters, Pay by Card & Phone Approved

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Watertown’s current parking meters will be replaced with “smart” meters that offer a range of payment options. Watertown’s parking lots will be getting new meters which allow for paying by credit card and with cell phone apps in the parking plan approved by the Town Council on Tuesday night. The Parking Management Plan was the result of studies that go back to the fall of 2018. It included studies of how parking is used in Watertown, public meetings and surveys and presentations to the Council’s Joint Committees on Public Works and Economic Development & Planning. Other parts of the plan look at pricing of meters and who sets them, way-finding signage for the municipal lots, looking at finding private lots for the Town to partner with, and even creation of a pedestrian path through the lot near the Watertown Library.

Around Town

Watertown Library Lending Out Laptops, Internet Hotspots

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Laptops and internet hotspots are available to be borrowed from the Watertown Free Public Library. The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a home internet connection has become more important than ever. That’s why the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) is now providing laptops and wifi hot spots for patrons to take home for two weeks at a time. Do you know someone that does not have access to the internet, or could benefit from borrowing a computer? Send them to the Library!

Government

Charter Committee Looks at Areas to Improve Watertown’s Government

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Watertown Town Hall

The group looking at making changes the Watertown Town Charter talked about their views on changing to a mayor, how to make the Town government more responsive to residents and how to get residents involved in the charter review. Last week, the Charter Review Committee held its second meeting, and welcomed members of the Collins Institute, the UMass-Boston based group with expertise in municipal governments that is working with the group on the Charter Review. Going into the charter review, some residents have called for Watertown to move from the current strong-town-manager model of government to one headed by a mayor. The Charter Review Committee can make major changes, said Michael Ward of the Collins Institute, such as the form of government, or smaller changed such as who reports to the Town Manager, who reports the Town Council, and which positions and boards are elected vs. appointed.

COVID-19

Positive COVID Test Reported at Watertown School, Reopening Still Going Ahead

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Hosmer Elementary School in Watertown. The Watertown Public Schools had a person test positive for COVID-19 in the same week that the elementary schools are preparing to welcome students back for in-person learning. Superintendent Dede Galdston announced that a person at Hosmer Elementary School had tested positive, but added that the case would not stop plans to start hybrid learning at the school on Tuesday. Watertown school staff can participate in free testing for the virus provided by the Broad Institute in Cambridge, but Galdston said that the positive test was not through that program. “…

Government

Watertown’s First CIO Seeks to Improve Communication with Residents, Make Town More Transparent

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Watertown’s Chief Information Officer Chris McClure. The Town of Watertown’s first ever Chief Information Officer, or CIO, came on board on Oct. 19, and has a slew of changes he would to make so Town officials can communicate more effectively with residents and make the government more transparent. Christopher McClure comes to Watertown from North Andover, where he was the information technology (IT) director. He plans some big changes for the Town’s social media accounts, the website and other technology.

Arrests

Police Log: Customer Threatens Geek Squad, Driver Faces OUI Charge After Driving on 3 Wheels

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

Oct. 12, 11;11 p.m.: State Police sent out a be-on-the-lookout alert to Watertown and Newton police for an erratic driver that had gotten off the Mass Pike at Exit 17. Watertown Police located the vehicle in the parking lot at Repton Place on Pleasant Street. They found the driver half asleep in the car, with the motor running.

Around Town

Hundreds Donate to Food Pantry During Drive-Thru Food Drive

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The drive-thru food drive, organized by the Watertown Community Foundation, drew good traffic during the event on Oct. 17 at the food pantry. Watertown residents showed up in the hundreds to donate to the Watertown Food Pantry. The event was held on the afternoon of Oct. 17, and Watertown Food Pantry Coordinator Kathy Cunningham said the event got a good response.