Business

Watertown Eating Institution Starts GoFundMe Effort to Keep Doors Open

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Deluxe Town Diner in Coolidge Square. The owners of Deluxe Town Diner have started an effort to try to raise $100,000 to keep the Coolidge Square institution afloat through the COVID-19 pandemic. Donors who give $100 or more will get a gift card worth $110 to use at the diner. Owner Don Levy posted the following information on the GoFundMe.com page:

Our family owned diner, has been serving Watertown area since 1947, the Covid19 pandemic has in big ways Adversely impacted our business,We survive the 3 months doing take out only, and now its necessary to ask for some help, ” TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN”.  Due to restrictions we  are only  able to service, “less than half of our customers”.  We are asking our loyal customers and friends to donate, and to also buy future food at the diner gift card. $100 cash payment, we will issue $110 in diner card to be used now and in the future , when we are back to the normal.

Government

Council Approves Bigger Residential Tax Exemption, Could Raise it More if WHS Project Passes

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Watertown Town Hall

Watertown’s residential property tax rates will rise less than one percent for people whose primary residence is in Town. This was due to the growing value of commercial properties, the increase of the residential exemption, and continuing the practice of shifting the burden onto commercial, industrial and personal property (CIP). Tuesday night, the Town Council approved the property tax rates for Fiscal Year 2021, including an increase of the residential exemption from 24 to 25 percent. The rate will be $12.25 per $1,000 of assessed value, which is 11 cents or 0.98 percent higher than FY2020. Town Assessor Earl Smith said that there is still room for the residential exemption to increase up to 30 percent.

Around Town

Watertown Firefighters, Others Honored for Life Saving Actions

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Last week, the Watertown Fire Department honored several firefighters, police officers and others for their life-saving actions during medical emergencies. Normally, the Fire Department would present the awards at a public ceremony, Fire Chief Bob Quinn said. “It was our hope to present these at a more formal ceremony last March but COVID sidetracked us,” Quinn said. “We did individual presentations instead.” Revival of Person Not Breathing

View this post on Instagram Lieutenant C. Wheaton and Firefighters S. Gleason, J. Capello, D. Corsi, O. Winsor, M. Fidler, and R. Hoey were presented with the Watertown Fire Department Company Citation Award by Chief Quinn for their life saving actions at an incident in December of 2019.

Schools

Watertown Students Can Get COVID-19 Tests as Schools Move into Hybrid

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Watertown Middle School

With Watertown elementary school students already attending hybrid, and the middle school starting some in person learning this week, the Watertown Public Schools are offering COVID-19 testing for students. Watertown School staff have already had access to the testing, but Superintendent Dede Galdston told the School Committee that she just recently learned the student testing could begin. “It is a very late thing. … Last week didn’t know we would be able to start student testing,” Galston said.

Government

MBTA Proposed Service Changes Could Impact Some Watertown Routes

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An MBTA bus in Watertown. With ridership significantly down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MBTA has proposed a series of changes to the system, including altering and consolidating bus routes, and reducing hours of service on subways and the Commuter Rail. The plan has been dubbed Forging Ahead by the MBTA. The T will host a series of online meetings where the changes will be discussed from mid-November to early December. The MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board will vote on the changes on Dec.

Around Town

Town Council to Discuss FY2021 Property Taxes, See the Proposed Rate

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A lot of money was raised and spent on the 2015 Watertown Election. The average Watertown property tax bill would rise $65 a year in Fiscal Year 2021 under the tax rate proposed by the Town Assessor. On Tuesday, Nov. 10, the Town Council will be discussing the property tax rates for Fiscal Year 2021. The meeting will be held virtually and begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday (see how to tune in and participate below).

Elections

Watertown Group Celebrates Election of Biden & Harris, See the Photos

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Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice & the Environment celebrated the victory of Joe Biden in the 2020 Presidential Election on Saturday in Watertown Square. While the calling the 2020 Presidential election for Joe Biden drew large celebrations in cities around the country, members of a progressive Watertown group had a smaller-scale one in Watertown. One of the signs held up by at the celebration of Joe Biden’s election on Saturday in Watertown Square. Members of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment gathered on the Watertown Square Delta to cheer, hold signs and bang on pots and pans Saturday afternoon. People banged pots and pans and other noisemakers at the Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice & the Environment’s celebration in Watertown Square for the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Gun Pointed at Man Leafletting Houses, Man Busted for Stealing Axe Body Spray

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

Oct. 31, 11:58 a.m.: Police received a report of a man who had just shoplifted at CVS in Watertown Square. The man was seen placing cans of Axe Body Spray into a backpack and leave the store without paying. The suspect was described as a bald African-American man, wearing gray sweatpants, a gray sweatshirt with a gray backpack.