HomeMy Public PortalAboutTown Managers Coronavirus (COVID19) Update 3-26-2020Michael J. Driscoll
Town Manager
TOWN OF
WATERTOWN
Office of the Town Manager
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6465
www.watertown-ma.gov
townmgr@watertown-ma.gov
Town Manager's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
March 26, 2020
As indicated in the attached March 2311 Town Manager's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Statement,
Governor Baker issued an Order requiring all businesses and other organizations that do not
provide "COVID-19 Essential Services" close their physical workplace and facilities to workers,
customers and the public as of 12:00 noon March 24t' and shall not reopen to workers, customers
and the public before 12:00 noon on April 7, 2020 (Exhibit A — Identifies COVID-19 Essential
Services . Additionally, attached please find an abbreviated summary of the Order.
As a follow-up and in an effort to balance the ability to continue to provide important services
and to protect the health and safety of the residents of Watertown, the Town moved forward with
additional measures including suspending all construction activity effective 5:00 PM yesterday
and that measure reads as follows:
Construction Activity
Consistent with the Governor's Order: COVID-19 Essential Services, the Town is suspending all
construction activity effective 5:00 PM on Wednesday March 25, 2020, other than work which is being
done in response to emergency situations. The Governor's order is clear that essential services are the
only activities that should continue until 12:00pm on April 7, 2020. If there are questions regarding
whether work is an emergency situation or not within the public right-of-way, the Department of Public
Works (617-972-6420; dpwdeptgwatertown-ma.g_ov) will make that determination. The Town's
Building Commissioner, Peter McLaughlin (617-972-6480; pmclau hg lin(awatertown-ma.gov) will
make the determination regarding emergency situations in all other matters.
Yesterday, the attached correspondence was issued from Robert C. Ross, Chief Legal Counsel for
Governor Baker to "Municipal Chief Executive Officers" that provides guidance regarding the effect of
the Governor's March 23, 2020 Order "Assuring Continued Operation of Essential Services in the
Commonwealth, Closing Certain Workplaces, and Prohibiting Gatherings of More than 10 People"
insofar as the Order intersects with municipal efforts to address the COVID-19 crisis. This
correspondence incorporated the anticipated Commonwealth of Massachusetts COVID-19 Guidelines
and Procedures for all Construction Sites and Workers at all Public Work (the "Guidelines") intended to
assist in the implementation of the Governor's COVID-19 Order No. 13 "Assuring Continued
Operation of Essential Services in the Commonwealth, Closing Certain Workplaces, and Prohibiting
Gatherings of More Than 10 People". Subsequent to consultation with the Town's Building
Commissioner, the Community Development & Planning Director, the Director of Public Health, the
Fire Chief, the Police Chief and the Director of Administration and Finance with the Department of
Public Works, I have determined that the March 23rd Town Manager's Coronavirus COVID-19
Statement may be modified in a manner consistent with the Guidelines and the directives of the
Governor. The suspension of construction activity, scheduled to take effect yesterday at 5:00 PM has
been lifted with respect to essential construction services as defined by the Governor, provided that such
construction services shall be undertaken and conducted in a manner consistent with the Guidelines.
The Building Commissioner also plans to ensure that Watertown projects observe a "safety stand -down
day" within the next week. This stand -down is designed to ensure all involved workers are familiar
with the health safety practices required for the continued operation of Watertown construction projects.
Any non-compliance with the Guidelines shall be deemed a violation thereof and shall subject the
construction site to an order of suspension until compliance is demonstrated.
The Town of Watertown is equally committed to ensuring the safety and health of our employees
providing inspections and supervision of construction activities. We have instituted strict protocols for
all Town of Watertown staff inspecting or supervising construction projects.
Closure of Schools and Non -Emergency Child Care Programs Extended Until May 4
Governor Charlie Baker issued an emergency order extending the closure of all public and private
schools, and all non -emergency childcare programs, until May 4 to prevent the further spread of
COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. The School Department will follow up later this week with further
information about the implications of this extended closure, but be assured WPS will continue with the
excellent plans in place for the Watertown students. For more information, please see the
Superintendent's March 25 Update at the following link: https://www.smore.com/en7t5, We continue
to provide grab and go breakfasts and lunches for any WPS family from 1 lam- Ipm in the faculty
parking lot off Broadway Street.
Ban of Re -Usable Checkout Bags & Use of Single -Use Plastic Bags
The Department of Public Health issued a new Order yesterday to support pharmacies and grocery
stores and their employees during the COVID-19 public health emergency. One of the provisions of the
Order bans re -usable checkout bags and allows for the use of single -use plastic bags.
Watertown Veterans' Services
Watertown Veterans' Services, in partnership with the Greater Boston Veterans' Collaborative has a
detailed spreadsheet with benefits and services —including but not limited to: financial, mental health,
transportation, and food resources— available to Veterans and others during this pandemic. The list is
constantly being updated and interested Veterans and families should contact Patrick George, Veterans'
Services Officer (VSO) for the most up to date list. Please contact the VSO at: PGeorge&watertown-
ma.gov or (617) 972-6416 (Office) and (781) 645-9127 (Cell).
Emergency Management Team
The Town of Watertown Emergency Management Team is meeting daily to monitor the developments
in the outbreak of the coronavirus. We have used these meetings to keep an organized flow of
information and to develop strategies to best respond to the needs of our community. We will continue
to update the community through the Watertown Health Department's web page.
https://www.watertown-ma.gov/965/CORONAVIRUS.
We also recommend the following resources:
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Resource Page:
hitps://www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus
Center for Disease Control COVID-19 information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/index.html
March 13th Town Manager's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Statement
March 16th Town Manager's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Statement
March 23rd Town Manager's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Statement
We are in this together
We are living in an unprecedented time where our world, our nation and our community, is faced with
the threat of an international pandemic known as COVID-19.
All of our Town employees are incredibly committed to ensuring the Town can safely meet the needs of
our community while we are also protecting our employees' safety. All departments have implemented
vigorous social distancing and hygiene protocols. I am so grateful for all of our employees' efforts
under difficult circumstances.
The members of the Honorable Town Council continue to be available to help all residents and to
provide updates/information to protect the health and safety of all the residents of Watertown.
I want to thank all of the members of our community for your cooperation and efforts to date; and for
your continued actions to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Watertown is a resilient community and we are all in this together. We will continue to support each
other and stay strong, Watertown Strong!