Find Out About the Microenterprise Grants, Deadline Approaching

Businesses with five or fewer employees can apply for microenterprise grants. The following information was provided by the Watertown Department of Community Development & Planning:

Building on its commitment to supporting Watertown residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town of Watertown has established a $175,000 emergency rental assistance program. The program will allow income-eligible tenants to apply for up to three months assistance if they have lost income and are having trouble paying rent as a result of the pandemic. The deadline to complete the application is Thursday, September 24. “During this difficult time, it is important that we help Watertown residents stay in their homes and help ensure their health and safety,” said Assistant Town Manager Steven Magoon.

Basketball Rims Being Removed from Park Due to Non-Mask Wearing

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.

Find Out About Weddings at Commander’s Mansion During COVID-19

UPDATE: Please note the change of date. Couples can find out about having a wedding at Watertown’s Historic Commander’s Mansion during COVID-19 at and event called “Gossip!” The event will be held on Oct. 28 from 6-8 p.m. at the mansion, 440 Talcott St., Watertown (off Arsenal Street), which is owned by the Town of Watertown. Under the state’s COVID-19 rules numbers of people are limited, and the organizers will show attendees about what a petite event during the pandemic looks like.

Moving Plays to be Presented by New Rep, Library & Historical Society

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.

Small Businesses Can Apply for COVID-19 Assistance Grants

Watertown businesses with five or fewer employees can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to address emergency needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses can apply for the Microenterprise Grants through the Town of Watertown, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corp., which is awarding the federally funded grants that come from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The deadline to apply for the grants is Sept. 25, 2020. As of 2016, a Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) survey found that Watertown had about 900 businesses that would fit into the microenterprise category.

See How to Apply for Watertown’s COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program

The Town of Watertown provided the following information:

The Watertown Housing Partnership has set up an Emergency Rental Assistance Program for Watertown renters who have lost income and are having trouble paying rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This assistance is temporary and will provide assistance for up to three months to Watertown renters not receiving other government rental assistance and earning below 80% of Area Median Income. Assistance is for up to $750 for a 1-bedroom apartment, $950 for a 2-bedroom apartment, and $1,150 for a 3-bedroom apartment. Anyone interested in applying should contact Robyn Rufo at Metro West Collaborative directly for an application (robyn@metrowestcd.org or 617-923-3505 ext. 5). Applications are due to Metro West Collaborative by Thursday, September 24. For more details, see this flyer.

Health Department Reminder for Labor Day About Limits on Gatherings Due to COVID-19

The Watertown Health Department sent out the following announcement about Labor Day Gatherings and COVID-19:

As we are approaching the long weekend the Watertown Health Department would like to remind you of the guidance from the state regarding social gatherings and the importance of social distancing. For all gatherings there can only be eight people per 1,000 square feet with a maximum of 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors. Please remember to wash your hands often, wear face coverings, and maintain social distancing at all times. We are working together to stop the spread of COVID-19. Please remember that these guidelines are in place to protect each of us and our community.