Government

Watertown Updates Regulations on Hens and Honeybees

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In an effort to be supportive of the sustainability movement and local food
production, the Board of Health updated its regulations regarding the keeping of
hens and honeybees in May of 2016, Town officials announced. The Health Department is pleased to report that there are currently five approved permits issued for the keeping of hens in Watertown, though there have been no requests for approval of honeybees. The new regulations followed over one year of research, discussions with industry
experts, and public hearings, and have resulted in relaxed standards on setbacks
that allow more properties to comply than had been able to in the past. The new
standards include provisions for setbacks from property lines and neighboring
properties, how much owners must know about caring for hens and honeybees,
restrictions on number of hives and hens allowed, and standards for storing feed
and waste. A permit is required for each location where hens or honeybees will be
kept, and approval from abutters is required.

Around Town

Experts on Opioid Use to Provide Information, Hope During Watertown Event

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The WATERtown Task Force on Substance Use Disorder will present noted speakers on the science of opioid use as a disease, providing hope and resources for recovery, providing support to families, and an update on what is available in Watertown to help combat this epidemic. The event will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 from 7-9 p.m. at Taxiarchae Greek Orthodox Church, 25 Bigelow Ave. Watertown. Speakers Include:

Dr. Theoharis Theoharides, MD, PhD, Professor of Integrative Physiology & Pathobiology, MS, MPhil, Immunology, Yale University, PhD, Pharmacology, Yale University MD, Yale University. Appointed member to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Opioid Drug Formulary Commission.

Fiscal 2018 Budget

Town Manager Unveils FY2018 Budget Which Includes Five New Positions

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The Fiscal Year 2018 Watertown budget presented by Town Manager Michael Driscoll is nearly 4 percent higher than Fiscal 2017 and includes a 5 percent increase for the Watertown Public Schools and new positions for a handful of municipal departments, including the Police Department and Library. Tuesday night Driscoll presented the budget to the Town Council for the 25th time, see the presentation here. The town budget totals $132.6 million, which is $5 million more than the previous year. Local real estate and personal property taxes total $94.8 million and State Aide accounts for $12.1 million. Local receipts – inspection fees, motor vehicle excise taxes and hotel excise taxes – provide $11.9 million for the budget.

Chicken & Rice Guys

Chicken & Rice Food Truck Permit Suspended in Watertown Due to E. Coli Outbreak

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Due to an E. coli outbreak the food serving license for The Chicken & Rice Guys food truck has been suspended by the Watertown Health Department. Ten people have been hospitalized and 15 have been sickened by E. coli which state officials say came from food from The Chicken & Rice Guys, according to a story in the Boston Globe. Symptoms of an E. coli infection can be bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and dehydration. In the most serious cases it can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome which can shut down the kidneys and lead to death. The Chicken & Rice Guys have three restaurants in Boston (including one in Allston), one in Medford and a commissary in Somerville and a fleet of food trucks.

Around Town

Watertown Health Department Hosting Rabies Clinic for Dogs & Cats

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The Watertown Health Department will sponsor a rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, April 8, 2017 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Watertown Administration Building, 149 Main Street, Lower Level. The cost is $10.00 per animal. Cats will be vaccinated from 1:30-2:30 p.m., and must be brought to the clinic in carriers. Dogs will be vaccinated from 2:30-3:30 p.m and must be on a leash. Rabies vaccinations are required by law for both dogs and cats and are an effective way at preventing the spread of the rabies virus.

Animal Control

Dogs Get More Places to Roam, More Rules for Cats in New Animal Ordinance

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Dogs will be allowed to be in more parks in Watertown, while owners have outdoor cats will have more rules to follow in the new Animal Ordinance approved by the Town Council Tuesday night. Under the previous rules no dogs were allowed in Watertown’s parks, except for Whitney Hill, but that changes in the new ordinance, said Animal Control Officer Karen O’Reilly. See the new Animal Ordinance by clicking here. “It allows dogs on leashes on marked or paved walking paths in Whitney Hill Park, Saltonstall Park, Linear Park, Filippello Park, Howe Park and the park behind 552 Main Street,” O’Reilly said. Councilor Angeline Kounelis said she wanted to make sure it was clear that not all walking areas are open for walking dogs, particularly the walking track at Filippello Park and track at Victory Field.

Around Town

State Officials Raise Risk of West Nile Virus to High – See How to Prepare

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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has notified the Watertown Health Department that due to the presence of human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) in the area, the risk level for West Nile Virus has been elevated to High. Mosquitoes in the area have tested positive for West Nile Virus, and personal protection against mosquito exposure has been advised for most of the summer. What can you do to protect yourself? Outdoor Recreation and Sporting Activity /Outdoor Activity! Be aware of increased mosquito activity between dusk and dawn.

Around Town

Health Department: West Nile Virus Mosquitoes Found in Watertown

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Mosquitoes found in Watertown have tested positive for the West Nile Virus, according to the Watertown Health Department. Town health officials were contacted by the state Department of Public Health about the positive tests, according to Deb Rosati, the Director of the Watertown Health Department. “This virus has been detected in mosquitoes in neighboring towns since July and it was inevitable that we would actually see some of these same affected species testing positive for WNV in Watertown,” Rosati said in a letter to Town Manager Michael Driscoll and the members of the Board of Health. The hot dry weather has created an environment that helps spread the virus, Rosati said. The Health Department already issued a Mosquito Health Advisory in mid-July due to reports of WNV in nearby towns.