COVID-19

Metrics Look Good for Schools to Move to In-Person Classes, For Now

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A map from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health showing the levels of COVID-19 in communities. Green means fewer than 4 cases per 100,000, yellow between 4 and 8 per 100,000 and red more than 8 per 100,000. Grey is less than 4 per 100,000. If the COVID-19 rates were they same as they are this week, Superintendent Dede Galdston told the School Committee Monday that the Watertown will start in-person hybrid classes in late October for the elementary students, late November for the middle and high school. The Watertown Public Schools decided in August that the first day of school will be on Sept.

Government

Council Roundup: Fire Department Radios Approved, Election, DPW Openings

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The Watertown Fire Department will be replacing a key piece of equipment after the Town Council approved matching funds for a grant to pay for new portable radios. The Fire Department has 35 portable radios ranging in age from 1 year to 19, Fire Chief Bob Quinn told the Town Council on Sept. 8. Some of the radios have recurring battery failures and others lack clarity, Quinn said. “Communication is a critical part of a Department being able to operate efficiently at incidents each and every day,” Quinn said.

Arrests

Police Log: Alleged Drunk Drivers Caught After Accidents, Phone Scams Stopped

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

Sept. 2, 7:39 p.m.: Police got a call about a motorcycle accident on Pilgrim Road at Puritan Road. When officers arrived they found the rider standing on the front lawn of the home of a Puritan Road residence next to a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He had been traveling northbound on Pilgrim Road and attempted to turn left onto Puritan when his bike went off the road and up onto a lawn.

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.