Around Town

Watertown Mall Ready for Business in Time of COVID-19

By |

If you have not been to the Watertown Mall in a while, it will look a bit different inside with hand sanitizers in various locations and the massage chairs removed temporarily, but all the retailers in the center are open for business. Mall officials sent out the followingstatement: “Along with our own routine sanitizing, we require that all visitors to the mall wear a face covering mask, practice good hygiene by washing hands often and thoroughly, maintain a physical distance of six feet from others, and remain home if they are sick. While these are uncertain times, we are committed to opening our doors to our community as safely and efficiently as possible.” While the Watertown Mall never completely closed due to the COVID-19, stores — and the Registry of Motor Vehicles — have adjusted to the state’s Coronavirus rules, said Patricia Stenson, general manager of the Watertown Mall. “Although everybody is open, it’s been kind of staggered,” Stenson said.

Around Town

3 School Reopening Plans: No Full In-Person at WHS, Max. 4 Hours a Day for Elementary, WMS

By |

No matter what option the Watertown School Committee chooses, when classes begin in September the town’s schools will not look like they do in normal years. Students will be attending schools on different days, or in staggered shifts with at most four hours in school each day. Also, Watertown High School will not have a full in-person option due to a lack of space in which to socially distance, Superintendent Dede Galdston said during a School Committee meeting on Monday. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is requiring all districts to submit plans for three scenarios of operating schools this fall, while adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines. The options are in-person, remote learning, or a combination of the two — called hybrid.

COVID-19

Parks, Playgrounds & More Closing at Certain Hours for Recreation Programs

By |

The tot lot installed at the 552 Main Street Park. As Watertown Recreation Department programs reopen this summer, some of the town’s park and recreation facilities will be temporarily closed during the Recreation programs.

The programs run Monday through Friday until Aug. 28, said Watertown Recreation Director Peter Centola. “During this time, certain parks and/or amenities will be closed to the public as part of the protocol for COVID-19. We are sorry for inconvenience,” Centola said.

Government

OP-ED: Is It Time to Hit the Brakes on Reopening in Mass.?

By |

State Sen. Will Brownsberger

The following piece was written by State Sen. Will Brownsberger, who represents Watertown, Belmont and parts of Boston:

In order to safely reopen our schools, we may need to hit the brakes on our phased reopening of the economy in Massachusetts. The latest numbers are telling us that we may need to reclose some businesses or find other ways to reduce infection. As we manage the reopening of the economy, we need to think more clearly about the trade-offs we are making and the consequences we are willing to accept. The decision to open optional services like casinos, movie theaters, and health clubs may make it impossible for us to safely reopen our schools. There is some guesswork in estimating how each specific business closure or infection control measure will affect the average rate at which people with COVID-19 transmit it to others.

Around Town

Watertown Library Partially Reopening Next Week, Will Have Hours for At-Risk Patrons

By |

Watertown Free Public Library

The Watertown Library sent out the following announcement:

The Watertown Free Public Library will reopen to the public on Monday, July 27. Using the Library will be a very different experience until coronavirus is no longer a major health concern. We are very excited to invite our patrons back. Unfortunately, we cannot offer all of the services that so many have been able to depend on, but it won’t be forever. This is what we can do for you now until the time comes that is safe to resume our regular services.

Around Town

Online at the Library: Baking for Kids, Teen Crafting & Wax Sculpting

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

This month, the Watertown Free Public Library launched a new online classes library. In response to the new reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, Library staff have recorded many of the Library’s most popular virtual classes and guest programs so patrons can learn from home, anytime. Topics include: library streaming services, online privacy basics, smarter online shopping, “cutting the cord,” cloud storage, and more. Head to watertownlib.org/onlineclasses to see what’s available. In addition to recorded classes, “live” Library programs continue on Facebook and Zoom.

Around Town

Watertown Residents Can Apply for Rental Assistance

By |

Watertown residents struggling to cover their rent due to the COVID-19 outbreak can apply for rental assistance of up to $1,000. The Watertown Community Foundation has teamed with MetroWest Collaborative Development and Wayside Youth & Family Network to provide rental assistance for families who are behind (or arrear) in rent. The assistance will be awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis. The Watertown Community Foundation received funds from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, said Executive Director Jan Singer. “Our grants from MA COVID-19 Relief Fund have gone directly to MetroWest Collaborative Development, who is administering the program,” Singer said.

COVID-19

No Decision on How Schools Will Operate in Fall, Officials Prepping for Three Scenarios

By |

With about eight weeks until the start of the school year, Watertown School officials continue to prepare for three different scenarios — in-person teaching, remote learning, or a mix of the two. Superintendent Dede Galdston told the School Committee Monday that with “the sands shifting everyday” she will not know which of the three will be used until sometime in August. Massachusetts education officials presented district with guidelines and asked them to come up with plans for how to operate schools in each of the three scenarios. Galdston said that while it is not clear which of the three will be used for the district as a whole, the Watertown Public Schools must prepare for remote learning because some students will be choosing that option no matter what. If the schools do return in person, they could try to welcome everyone back, or have students rotate when days they are in school by the day or the week, Galdston said.