Government

Basketball Rims Being Removed from Park Due to Non-Mask Wearing

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The rims have been removed from the basketball courts at Watertown’s Casey Park because of repeated violations of the face covering requirement by people using the courts. Watertown Recreation Director Peter Centola announced Saturday that the basketball rims will be removed from a town park after people were found playing basketball without face coverings. Centola said he has been dealing with people playing basketball at Casey Park on Watertown Street for several weeks and he warned them they need to be wearing face coverings. He has even had to call police when a group refused to wear masks and continued to play. Last week, two rims were removed (one from each of the full basketball courts) in hopes that people would shoot around on the half courts but not play games, Centola said.

Around Town

Watertown Resident Tests Positive for West Nile Virus, Tips for Avoiding Mosquitos

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today a human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in Watertown. This case represents the second human case of West Nile Virus in our community. This raisesthe risk level to HIGH in our Watertown. Although serious illness caused by WNV is uncommon, there have been 206 cases of WNV in Massachusetts between 2001 and 2019. There were five human cases of WNV in 2019, and 49 human cases in 2018.

Entertainment

Moving Plays to be Presented by New Rep, Library & Historical Society

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The following information came from New Rep Theatre:

Watertown Historical Moving Plays: The Charles W. Lenox Experience — an immersive and educational theatrical experience. Script by Ken Green, directed by Michael Ofori. Sept. 26 to Nov. 8, 2020

Outdoors in Watertown, 60 minutes

New Rep Theatre has partnered with the Watertown Free Public Library and the Historical Society of Watertown to bring to you Watertown Historical Moving Plays, an immersive and educational theatrical experience that leads participants on a stroll through historical sites in Watertown.

Charter Review Commission

Town Charter Review, Noise Ordinance Discussions Delayed by Council

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Watertown Town Hall

On a night where the Town Council voted to approve the purchase of a new radios for the Fire Department and the BlueBike stations, the Council postponed discussions of a couple major items: the Town Charter review and proposed changes to the Noise Ordinance. The Town Charter review occurs every 10 years in years ending in zero, while the Noise Ordinance has been debated and discussed for more than a year. Town Council President Mark Siders said he has concerns about holding such important meetings under the restrictions of the state’s COVID-19 rules which limit in-person gatherings to 25 people. A subcommittee report on the Aug. 11 Noise Ordinance was read by the Council Tuesday night.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Jewelry Stolen from Home, Argument Over Face Mask

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

Two men were arrested for possession of an illegal firearm. Click here for more details. https://www.watertownmanews.com/2020/08/28/two-men-arrested-for-possession-of-illegal-firearm/

Incidents

Aug. 24, 11:26 a.m.: A Howe Street resident went on Craigslist to rent a property in North Conway, N.H., and got in contact with someone who said he should send $1,631 on a cash app to pay for the security deposit, cleaning and taxes.

Around Town

See How to Apply for Watertown’s COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program

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The Town of Watertown provided the following information:

The Watertown Housing Partnership has set up an Emergency Rental Assistance Program for Watertown renters who have lost income and are having trouble paying rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This assistance is temporary and will provide assistance for up to three months to Watertown renters not receiving other government rental assistance and earning below 80% of Area Median Income. Assistance is for up to $750 for a 1-bedroom apartment, $950 for a 2-bedroom apartment, and $1,150 for a 3-bedroom apartment. Anyone interested in applying should contact Robyn Rufo at Metro West Collaborative directly for an application (robyn@metrowestcd.org or 617-923-3505 ext. 5). Applications are due to Metro West Collaborative by Thursday, September 24. For more details, see this flyer.

Schools

Building Committee Eliminates Potential Location for New High School

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A rendering of Option 1A, where Watertown High School’s academic building would be built on the current site, and would have a large green space in front along Columbia Street. The design of the new high school has not been settled, but Watertown High School will not be built on Victory Field. The School Building Committee voted Wednesday, Sept. 2, to eliminate options for the new school to go on the sports and field complex on Orchard Street. The Committee also saw some scenarios where the main academic building would be built on the current WHS site.

Elections

After Election, State Reps. Have Issues to Tackle in State House

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John Lawn, left, won re-election to his sixth term as 10th Middlesex State Representative, while Steve Owens won his first election to be the State Rep. for the 29th Middlesex District. With the long campaign and election day behind them, Watertown’s two state representatives now have some work to do in the State House. They face issues that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic, along with those around before the shutdown. Beacon Hill is familiar territory for John Lawn, who will be entering his sixth term as the 10th Middlesex State Representative. The impacts of the pandemic will be his top concern.