Around Town

Local Brewery Opening Taproom & Kitchen at Arsenal Yards

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Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co.Mighty Squirrel Brewing will be serving its creations at the new biergarten at Arsenal Yards. Beer lovers will soon have a new option when Might Squirrel, which started in Waltham, opens a new location in Watertown. See more information in the announcement provided by Arsenal Yards, below. Arsenal Yards is thrilled to announce the upcoming opening of Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. taproom and kitchen at Arsenal Yards in Watertown, MA.

Around Town

AG’S Office Reaches Settlement with Watertown Construction Company for Failure to Pay Prevailing Wage on 5 Public Projects

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The following announcement was provided by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office:

The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced it has reached a settlement with Avatar Construction Corporation (Avatar), a construction company based in Watertown, MA, and its owner, Nazar Vincent. The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed by the AGO, alleging that the company violated the Massachusetts False Claims Act (MFCA) in connection with prevailing wage theft when it and a subcontractor allegedly underpaid workers on five municipal construction projects in Cambridge, Lawrence, Saugus, and Watertown.  

In accordance with the settlement, Avatar has paid $320,000 to the Commonwealth, allowing the state to pay approximately $172,000 in restitution to impacted workers.  

The AGO’s March 2023 lawsuit alleged that on five municipal public construction projects, Avatar used 68 fraudulent payroll forms, prepared by its subcontractor, Gonza Construction, Inc. of Worcester, to certify compliance with the Massachusetts Prevailing Wage Law, when in fact, workers on the projects were paid less than half of what they were owed. The AGO alleged that in addition to being fraudulent, the payroll forms contained widespread flagrant errors. 

The Massachusetts Prevailing Wage Law sets the minimum hourly wage rates allowable for certain classifications of workers on public construction projects in the Commonwealth. The law requires submittal of weekly certified payroll forms as an express condition of payment on most public contracts. Under the Prevailing Wage Law, it is unlawful for subcontractors to use false records that are substantively related to a payment claim without making a reasonable effort to ensure such records are accurate. 

Last fall, the AGO announced the issuance of a judgment in a similar prevailing wage lawsuit filed by the Office against BPI Construction Corporation of Framingham.

Around Town

Road Resurfacing on Main Street Will Take Two Days

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The City of Watertown announced the repaving of Main Street from near the Watertown Fire Station past City Hall beginning on Halloween. See details provided by the City, below. Cassidy Corp will mill and pave Main Street from Whites Avenue to John Sonny Whooley Way on Thursday, October 31, and Friday, November 1, 2024, from 9 am to 3 pm each day. Permanent pavement markings are set for Saturday, November 2, from 7 am to 11 am. These dates may change based on weather.

Entertainment

Perkins Announces Live Audio Description at Theatrical Performances the Boston Area

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Perkins School for the Blind announced that live audio descriptions for blind and visually impaired audiences at theater and dance performances around the Boston area at venues including the American Repertory Theater, Broadway in Boston, the Colonial Theater, The Huntington Theatre Company, and the Hanover Theatre. Perkins provided the following announcement:

We’re excited to share the 2024-25 season’s live theater productions with audio description (AD), running from October 2024 through August 2025. To read the full season schedule, which is growing every year with more and more productions and venues in Massachusetts. click the link at the bottom. Performances are listed by venue and then by the name of the show and date.

Sports

Former Watertown Football Coach Instilled Lessons His Players Remember 50 Years Later

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A photo of Phil Greenough playing for Watertown High School under Coach John Barbati. By Phil GreenoughWatertown High School ‘77

With plans for a testimonial dinner in celebration of Coach John Barbati on November 26, it’s a good time to reflect on the impact he made on me and the many kids who played for him over his 24 years as head football coach at Watertown High School. It’s hard to believe 50 years have passed, but I still can remember clearly lessons Coach imparted that helped me and so many others succeed under his tutelage. Some quick background: Barbati, a star quarterback at St. Michael’s College in Vermont, found his way to Watertown High School to become head coach in 1969, retiring in 1992 with a winning percentage of .595 and four championships (1973, 1976, 1977 and 1983) in the hyper-competitive Middlesex League.

Around Town

OBIT: Elaine (Walsh) Conley, WHS Grad, Mother of Four

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Elaine M. (Walsh) Conley, 52, of Topsfield, died Saturday, October 26, 2024 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston following a year-long battle with leukemia. She was the wife of the late Chelsea Police Detective Scott M. Conley, who predeceased her on March 15, 2024. Born in Waltham on March 22, 1972, she was the daughter of the late William Walsh and Marie (Graham) Walsh of Burlington (partner John Aste). In addition to her mother, she leaves four beautiful children, Aidan, Max, Keira, and Shea Conley, all of Topsfield, whom she adored above all. She was raised and educated in Watertown, was a graduate of Watertown High School and furthered her education with a Bachelor’s Degree from Bridgewater State College and a Master’s Degree from Tufts University. She then went on to pursue a career as an Occupational Therapist.

Around Town

Volunteers Wanted to Serve on the Pride Event Committee

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Watertown Pride Committee is seeking enthusiastic and dedicated residents to join our team! This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the planning and execution of the premiere event that celebrates and supports our LGBTQ+ community. About the Pride Committee: 

The Pride Committee is responsible for organizing events, activities, and initiatives that promote inclusivity, diversity, and equality within our community. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment for all residents and visitors, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. The Pride Committee’s main responsibility will be to assist in planning and organizing the Watertown Pride Parade and Festival in June.

Around Town

Hibernians Hosting Red Cross Blood and Food Drive

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The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) announced it will host a blood drive and food drive on Dec. 28 at Hibernian Hall. Each pint of blood we collect can help save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more. What a great way to pay it forward and make an impact on people in our community and across the country. Visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/ and enter: AOH to schedule an appointment.