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VOTER GUIDE: Votes for President, Senate & 5 Ballot Measures on Tuesday’s Ballot

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Watertown voters have plenty to races and ballot measures on which they can cast their votes during Tuesday’s State Election. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. See polling locations at the bottom of the story

The Presidential race has been on the top of many voters’ lists and there are not just two, but six choices, listed with their parties below in the order on the ballot. AYYADURAI and ELLIS (Independent)DE LA CRUZ and GARCIA (Socialism and Liberation)HARRIS and WALZ (Democratic)OLIVER and TER MAAT (Libertarian)STEIN and CABALLE (Green-Rainbow Party)TRUMP and VANCE (Republican)

There is also a contested race for U.S. Senator – Elizabeth Warren (Democratic) and John Deaton (Republican). Races for Congress, State Senator, State Representative, Governor’s Councilor (listed as Councillor), and Middlesex Clerk of Courts are uncontested. There is a contested race for Middlesex Southern District Register of Deeds, between Maria Curtatone (Democratic) and William “Billy” Tauro (Republican).

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Recycle Styrofoam, Mattresses, Textiles & Shred Paper at Watertown DPW Event

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Watertown residents will be able to recycle mattresses, textiles, and styrofoam, and also shred paper at an event hosted by the Department of Public Works. See more information provided the City of Watertown, below. There is a General Recycling Event on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM at the Jewish Community Day School, at 57 Stanley Ave. Please bring a Watertown ID or proof of residency. This event is rain or shine.

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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.

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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.

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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.