Around Town

Town Manager Orders Construction Halted in Watertown, Town Starts COVID-19 Info Line

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Watertown residents can call a local info line to ask questions about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and also announced an end to construction in town beginning Wednesday. The moves came after Gov. Baker’s order on Monday morning that all non-essential businesses would be closed starting Tuesday due to the Coronavirus outbreak, and a stay-at-home advisory for Massachusetts residents. Construction must come to an end by 5 p.m. on March 25. “The Governor’s order is clear that essential services are the only activities that should continue until 12:00 p.m. on April 7, 2020,” Driscoll said in the announcement. The construction halt applies to all projects, whether private or by the Town, said Town Council President Mark Sideris.

Coronavirus

Gov. Baker Closing Non-Essential Businesses, Issues Stay-at-Home Advisory

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NEW: Gov. Charlie Baker orders all non-essential businesses in Massachusetts to close Tuesday at noon https://t.co/7FtmrZJiUi #Breaking— WBZ | CBS Boston News (@wbz) March 23, 2020

Gov. Charlie Baker announced an order closing non-essential businesses for two weeks, and put out a stay-at-home advisory to state residents, due to the Coronavirus outbreak. The order begins at noon on Tuesday, March 24 and runs through April 7. It closes physical workspaces and facilities to all workers, customers, and the public, Baker said, according to a report by WBZ Channel 4. This list of essential businesses include medical facilities, grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, restaurants open for delivery and take out and companies working on a vaccine for COVID-19, according to WBZ. Also medical equipment and pharmaceutical manufacturers, and the MBTA are exempted.

Entertainment

Watertown Schools Art Exhibit Postponed Due to COVID-19

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:

We are very sad to say that in a response to COVID-19 public health concerns, the annual Watertown Public Schools’ Student Art Exhibit, originally scheduled for March 24 through April 9, has been cancelled for this year. As of right now, we do not have any postponed dates for the exhibit set in place, but we will keep the community informed on any changes. About the Watertown Mall

The Watertown Mall is wheelchair accessible and accessible by MBTA Bus routes 70 and 70A. Hours are Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.,m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. For more information about this event and other Watertown Mall programs, such as our weekly Walking Club, please visit www.watertown-mall.com or contact the management office at 617-926-4968 x21.

Arax Market

Watertown Markets Offering Alternatives to In-Store Shopping During Coronavirus Outbreak

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People who cannot go to a store, or do not want to in a social distancing effort during the Coronavirus outbreak, have some alternatives at two Watertown markets. At Russo’s, 560 Pleasant St., customers can order delivery through the Mercato website (click here), or they can order a Russo’s Box and pick it up in the market’s parking lot. There are two Box options, one for $50 and the larger size for $100. Each includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, bread, milk, eggs and more. See details by clicking here.

Around Town

$1 Million Available for Programs Helping Older Residents Affected by Coronavirus

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The following information was provided by the Tufts Health Plan Foundation:

Tufts Health Plan Foundation announced today it is making an additional $1 million available to efforts driven by community and to nonprofit organizations supporting older people affected by the coronavirus outbreak in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Connecticut. Tufts Health Plan Foundation will continue to support healthy aging by funding organizations assisting with access to food, at-home support, housing, transportation, medical supplies and other services, especially for older people and those most vulnerable.  Those with underlying health conditions and people over 60 have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. It is especially important to ensure resources are available to provide these supports and services. “We are grateful to the local, state and federal public health agencies, first responders, and the many community organizations who are stepping up to respond to this challenge,” said Tom Croswell, president and CEO of Tufts Health Plan.

Schools

Public Can Join Monday’s School Committee Meeting Remotely

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The Watertown School Committee will hold its scheduled meeting on Monday, March 23, and members of the public can join in by video conference to watch and possibly to participate. Viewers can join the meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. Monday, using Zoom. This is the first meeting for the School Committee since most others were cancelled due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). School Committee Chair John Portz said members will be at home or some other location and will join in electronically. “We’re working on the logistics and technical side of this, but I think there will be an opportunity for the public to speak,” Portz said.

Around Town

Watertown Food Pantry Changing Hours, Opening One Day a Week

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Items collected for the Watertown Community Foundation’s food drive in January. The Foundation is organizing another one in the month of October. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) the Watertown Food Pantry will be consolidating hours and will be open one day a week. Beginning March 24, the Watertown Food Pantry will be open for extended hours on Tuesdays, but will not be open on Thursdays. The Pantry, located at the rear of the Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church at 80 Mt.

Police/Fire

U.S. Attorney Warns Against Scams, Other Crimes Related to Coronavirus

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U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling warned that District of Massachusetts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office will of Justice will aggressively pursue anyone committing scams and other crimes related to the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Lelling sent out the following statement:

“As our communities take extraordinary measures to confront the coronavirus outbreak, some may view this as an opportunity to prey on the public’s fears and anxieties. The Department of Justice is now focused on cybercrime, sale of counterfeit goods, treatment scams and other healthcare and investment scams arising from the pandemic. My office will aggressively prosecute anyone engaged in this kind of activity,” said U.S. Attorney Lelling. “With the outbreak of COVID-19, scammers have found a platform that preys on people’s fears and could make them more likely to be victimized,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “We want you to avoid falling prey to these scams and help us stop them by reporting it at ic3.gov.”

Massachusetts residents who believe they are victims of fraud or other criminal activity related to the pandemic should contact the United States Attorney’s Office at USAMA.victimassistance@usdoj.gov or call 1-888-221-6023 and leave a message. Members of the public can also contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) by visiting www.IC3.gov. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911.